Applications Now Open!
Colchagua Vocal Institute 2027
January 3–11, 2027 · Colchagua Valley, Chile
In 2026, we planted the seed. In 2027, it takes root.
An all-inclusive international residency where classical singers and collaborative pianists explore Latin American repertoire through intensive training, artistic partnership, wellness, and cultural immersion.
Colchagua at a Glance
DATES
January 3–11, 2027
LOCATION
Centro Mariápolis · Colchagua Valley, Chile
ARTIST COHORT
15 classical singers · 3 collaborative pianists
PROGRAM FOCUS
Classical voice · Collaborative piano · Latin American and Hispanic repertoire
SINGER TUITION
$2,500 USD (All Inclusive)
COLLABORATIVE PIANIST TUITION
$2,000 USD (All Inclusive)
-
Each singer receives five individual sessions, scheduled as voice lessons or repertoire coachings according to their artistic needs. Singers work with the same collaborative pianist throughout the week, allowing interpretation, communication, and musical trust to develop across every rehearsal and performance. More info in the following sections.
-
Each pianist works closely with a cohort of four or five singers, with repertoire provided at least two months in advance. Pianists receive individual coachings with David Córdoba-Hernández, group piano sessions, a masterclass with Rosa Vergara Marshall, and experience with both prepared and short-notice repertoire. More info in the following sections.
-
At Colchagua, we believe this work goes beyond accompaniment. Consistent singer-pianist partnerships create space to rehearse deeply, exchange ideas, and shape interpretations together. Every singer and pianist performs in the internal concert and the final public concert.
A Different Kind of Young Artist Program
Part advanced training program and part creative retreat, the Colchagua Vocal Institute brings a small international community of singers, collaborative pianists, and faculty together in the heart of Chile’s wine country.
Participants study, rehearse, perform, share meals, explore the region, and form lasting relationships in an environment designed for focused work, genuine connection, and artistic discovery.
Collaboration That Develops Over Time
Singers and pianists work in consistent partnerships throughout the Institute. Instead of moving from one unfamiliar collaborator to another, artists have time to establish trust, refine communication, and build interpretations together.
Space for the Whole Artist
Training extends beyond lessons through masterclasses and conversations on acting, Latin American art song, Chilean opera, vocology, vocal health, performance psychology, and building a professional career. Wellness activities, cultural excursions, shared meals, and rest are integrated into the residency.
Prepared with Care
Core repertoire is distributed two months before the Institute. During the residency, an internal concert combines prepared selections with short-notice repertoire, developing sight-reading, rapid preparation, communication, and musical responsiveness.
One Residency. Everything Connected.
-
![]()
Classical Singer Tuition
$2,500 USD
Singer tuition includes five individual voice lessons or repertoire coachings, a consistent collaborative pianist partnership, rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops, the internal concert, the final public performance, and all residential program benefits listed below.
-
![]()
Collaborative Pianist Tuition
$2,000 USD
Pianist tuition includes individual coachings with David Córdoba-Hernández, group piano sessions, a masterclass with Rosa Vergara Marshall, sustained work with four or five singers, prepared and short-notice repertoire, the internal concert, the final public performance, and all residential program benefits listed below.
Both Tuition Rates Include
Eight nights of on-site lodging at historic Centro Mariápolis in a shared four-person room with a private bathroom
Three meals each day, beginning with dinner on January 3 and concluding with breakfast on January 11
Full access to all lessons, coachings, rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops, wellness activities, and performances
Transportation connected with official Institute activities
Curated cultural excursions throughout the Colchagua Valley
Access to the gardens, walking and jogging paths, yoga and meditation areas, sports fields, games, picnic spaces, and evening gathering areas
Participation in the internal concert
Participation in the final public concert at the historic Parroquia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de Yáquil
Livestreaming and recording of the final concert
Opportunity for on-site professional portraits
A welcoming international community of singers, pianists, faculty, and Chilean guest artists
International airfare, passports or visas, travel insurance, personal purchases, and optional room upgrades are not included.
Meet The Faculty
-
Dr. José Miguel Santelices
GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | VOICE FACULTY
Voice Faculty & Opera Workshop Director, Dallas College
Chilean tenor and educator Dr. José Miguel Santelices brings together classical performance, voice pedagogy, artistic leadership, and entrepreneurship. He teaches voice and directs the Opera Workshop at Dallas College and has performed, taught, and presented masterclasses across the United States, Latin America, China, and Taiwan. His teaching emphasizes healthy vocal technique, compelling interpretation, and the development of each singer’s individual artistic identity.
Santelices is the creator, producer, and featured performer of Arias of the Vine, an innovative classical vocal series that has presented multiple sold-out concerts. He also speaks on music business, audience development, and building sustainable artistic projects, helping musicians connect their artistry with practical career skills.
At the Colchagua Vocal Institute, he leads the artistic program while providing individual voice instruction, performance coaching, and career guidance for emerging classical singers.
-
Dr. Alba Franco-Cancél
VOICE FACULTY | VOCOLOGIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Director of Vocal Studies, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
Puerto Rican soprano Dr. Alba Franco-Cancél has appeared in more than forty operatic productions across the United States, Latin America, and Europe. Her repertoire includes the Queen of the Night, Gilda, Despina, and María in West Side Story, alongside performances of The Phantom of the Opera, Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
As Director of Vocal Studies at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, Franco-Cancél combines her international performing experience with evidence-based voice pedagogy and vocology. Her teaching emphasizes functional coordination, vocal hygiene, expressive freedom, and the development of healthy, sustainable classical voices.
At the Colchagua Vocal Institute, she offers individual voice lessons, Latin American Art Song workshops, and technical assessment, helping singers unite efficient vocal function with confident and communicative performance.
-
Dr. David Córdoba-Hernández
DIRECTOR OF COLLABORATIVE PIANO | VOCAL COACH
Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Millsaps College
Colombian pianist Dr. David Córdoba-Hernández is an accomplished collaborative artist, vocal coach, and educator whose work connects performance, pedagogy, and cultural advocacy. Recently appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Millsaps College, he has performed throughout Latin America, the United States, and Europe with artists affiliated with Stuttgart Opera, the Orchestre de Paris, Naxos, and Parma Recordings.
A first-prize winner as collaborative pianist at the National Voice Competition of Colombia, Córdoba-Hernández has worked with Opera Memphis, the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Cantos para el Mundo, and the Puerto Rico Center for Collaborative Piano. A committed advocate for Latin American music, he performed the 2025 world premiere of Juan Cardona’s first piano concerto and will give its U.S. premiere with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in 2027.
He is also the creator of Prima Vista Lab, an innovative, research-informed sight-reading program supported by Piano Marvel technology. At Colchagua, he mentors singers and trains pianist fellows in expressive, stylistically informed vocal collaboration.
-
Steven Franco-Santiago, MA
WELLNESS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE | MUSIC THERAPY
Music Therapist, VA Caribbean Healthcare System
Puerto Rican music therapist Steven Franco-Santiago combines clinical expertise and musical artistry to support the psychological and emotional well-being of performers. He holds a master’s degree in music therapy from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
Franco-Santiago serves as a music therapist with the VA Caribbean Healthcare System and teaches at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. His work explores how music can support emotional regulation, self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful human connection in clinical, educational, and community environments.
At the Colchagua Vocal Institute, he leads the program’s integrated wellness track, giving singers and pianists practical tools for managing performance pressure, protecting their mental health, and creating more balanced and sustainable artistic lives.
-
Mariselle Martínez Chávez
GUEST FACULTY | OPERA MASTERCLASS & CAREER DEVELOPMENT
International Opera Artist
Independent Artist
Chilean mezzo-soprano Mariselle Martínez Chávez has developed an international operatic career across Europe and Latin America. Her performance credits include appearances at Oper Bonn, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, the Grand Théâtre de Genève, and the Teatro Municipal de Santiago in repertoire by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, and Tchaikovsky.
Her distinctions include recognition for the best interpretation of Schubert at the Francisco Viñas International Singing Competition and selection as a finalist in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. In addition to her performing career, Martínez holds a degree in public relations and brings professional experience in cultural communication and project coordination.
At Colchagua, she presents an opera performance masterclass and The International Opera Career: From the Classroom to the Professional Stage, a candid career conversation and Q&A addressing auditions, competitions, young artist programs, repertoire strategy, agents, professional image, freelance work, and long-term career planning.
-
Gonzalo Cuadra, MA
GUEST FACULTY | INTERPRETATION & CHILEAN OPERA
Voice Faculty
Universidad de Chile & Universidad Alberto Hurtado
Chilean singer, stage director, musicologist, and educator Gonzalo Cuadra holds degrees in music and vocal performance and a master’s degree in musicology from the Universidad de Chile. His career encompasses opera, early music, art song, theatrical direction, research, translation, and the recovery of historic Chilean vocal repertoire.
Cuadra has performed internationally and has directed operatic productions throughout Chile. He is a founder of Colectivo Ópera Nacional and co-director of the Antología de la Canción de Arte Chilena. His contributions to Chilean opera have received the President of the Republic National Performing Arts Award and recognition from the Chilean Circle of Art Critics.
At Colchagua, Cuadra leads a masterclass on dramatic action, character, text, and storytelling in art song. He also presents a talk exploring the history, rediscovery, and performance of Chilean opera.
-
Francisca Fernández, Psychologist
GUEST FACULTY | PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY & ARTIST WELLNESS
Founder
unanuevaflauta®
Chilean psychologist and flutist Francisca Fernández is the founder of unanuevaflauta®, a platform dedicated to musicians’ mental health and holistic well-being. She holds a degree in psychology from Universidad de los Andes and a Fellowship Diploma in Flute Performance from the London College of Music.
Her experience with focal hand dystonia transformed the direction of her professional life and inspired her work supporting the person behind the performer. Her training includes Performing Arts Medicine, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness for Emotional Regulation. She also serves on the Performance Health Care Committee of the National Flute Association.
At the Colchagua Vocal Institute, Fernández leads interactive sessions on performance pressure, emotional regulation, resilience, and self-compassion, helping singers and pianists develop practical psychological resources for healthier auditions, performances, and professional careers.
-
Dr. Marco Guzmán
GUEST FACULTY | VOCOLOGY & VOCAL HEALTH
Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Universidad de los Andes
Chilean voice pathologist and vocologist Dr. Marco Guzmán has twenty-three years of clinical and academic experience and is internationally recognized for his research in singing-voice science, physiologic voice therapy, and semi-occluded vocal tract exercises. He holds a PhD in Vocology from Tampere University and professional certification from the University of Iowa and the National Center for Voice and Speech.
Guzmán teaches at Universidad de los Andes and serves as Adjunct Professor at Tampere University. He is also associated with the Summer Vocology Institute at the University of Utah and the Master of Clinical Vocology at the University of Bologna. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Voice, advises the Pan American Vocology Association, and edits NCVS Insights.
At Colchagua, he gives singers evidence-based tools for improving vocal efficiency, managing fatigue, and building healthier, more sustainable voices.
-
Rosa Vergara Marshall, BM
GUEST FACULTY | PIANO & LATIN AMERICAN REPERTOIRE
Founder & Director
Fundación Factoría Musical
Chilean pianist Rosa Vergara Marshall holds a degree in advanced piano performance from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She pursued further studies in Germany at the Musikhochschule Lübeck and the Hochschule für Musik Detmold, developing a practice that combines technical rigor, collaborative artistry, and imaginative pedagogy.
As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago, GAM, Teatro del Lago, Teatro Regional del Maule, Teatro Municipal de Castro, and the Rosita Renard Festival. She is also the founder of Fundación Factoría Musical, an organization supporting young musicians through artistic mentorship, education, and community engagement.
At Colchagua, Vergara Marshall serves as guest piano faculty, leading a masterclass for pianists centered on collaborating with singers and interpreting Chilean and Latin American art song with stylistic and cultural fluency.
What Our 2026 Artists Are Saying
-
"It was a beautiful opportunity to learn about Latin American art song, vocal technique and expression, performance wellness, and so much more. The sense of community and belonging that was formed both musically and emotionally is something I hope I can experience again and also help to create for others."
Haley Smith, Mezzo-Soprano, CVI 2026 Artist
-
“A healing space, both musically and personally. A place to appreciate, nurture, admire, and value who we are and what we do.”
Luisa Fernanda Rodríguez Riveros, Pianist, CVI 2026 Artist
-
"For me, CVI was a space to refresh my relationship with music, mind and body. The environment —both setting and human— was enriching. "
Grecia González, Mezzo-Soprano, CVI 2026 Artist
-
"My experience at CVI was profoundly growth-oriented, fostering both personal and artistic development through deep engagement with Latin American art song, meaningful friendships, and enriching vocal health workshops. The combination of rigorous musical work and holistic care allowed me to grow not only as a singer, but as an artist and individual."
Brayan Molina, Baritone, CVI 2026 Artist
Your Home
in Colchagua
Centro Mariápolis
El Huape, Cunaco, Comuna de Nancagua,
VI Región, Chile.
Located in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, Centro Mariápolis is a historic retreat center surrounded by more than seventeen acres of gardens, groves, courtyards, and vineyard-lined paths. Originally part of a nineteenth-century wine estate, it offers the quiet, beauty, and sense of welcome essential to focused artistic work.
Participants live, study, rehearse, dine, and gather on-site throughout the residency. This shared environment allows artistic relationships to continue beyond scheduled sessions, creating the spontaneous conversations, informal music-making, and genuine community that distinguish Colchagua from a conventional young artist program.
Step into a landscape that lets your artistry breathe.
FAQs
-
The 2027 Colchagua Vocal Institute will take place January 3–11, 2027. Participants arrive at Centro Mariápolis on January 3 and depart on January 11. Detailed arrival and departure instructions will be provided to accepted artists.
-
Tuition is $2,500 USD for classical singers and $2,000 USD for collaborative pianists.
-
Tuition includes eight nights of shared lodging, three daily meals, the complete artistic and wellness program, official Institute activities and excursions, internal and public performances, and transportation associated with scheduled program activities. International airfare, personal expenses, travel insurance, optional room upgrades, and required travel documentation are not included.
-
Base tuition includes a shared four-person room with a private bathroom at Centro Mariápolis. A limited number of room upgrades may be available for an additional charge.
-
Centro Mariápolis provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner on-site. Participants will be asked to communicate dietary restrictions and food allergies before arrival so that available accommodations can be discussed in advance.
-
Every singer receives five individual sessions, personalized between voice lessons and repertoire coachings. Singers also participate in rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops, the internal concert, and the final public performance.
-
Collaborative pianists receive individual coachings with David Córdoba-Hernández, group piano sessions, and a dedicated masterclass with Rosa Vergara Marshall. Each pianist works with a cohort of four or five singers throughout the residency.
-
Yes. Core repertoire will be distributed approximately two months before the Institute so singers and pianists can arrive prepared for meaningful interpretive work.
-
Yes. Every singer and collaborative pianist participates in the internal concert and the final public concert. The final concert will be open to the community, livestreamed, and recorded.
-
The internal concert is a supportive performance laboratory combining prepared selections with short-notice repertoire. It gives singers space to experiment and gives pianists practical experience in sight-reading, rapid preparation, and musical responsiveness.
-
Days may include morning wellness activities, individual lessons and coachings, rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops, shared meals, cultural activities, and evening gatherings. The schedule is intentionally structured while preserving time for rest, preparation, and informal connection.
-
Yes. Designated rehearsal and practice spaces will be available at Centro Mariápolis. Access may be scheduled to ensure that all participants have appropriate preparation time.
-
Applications are submitted through our official online application. Because the Institute maintains a small cohort of fifteen singers and three collaborative pianists, applicants are encouraged to submit their materials early.
📩 Questions?
We’re here to help. Email us at info@santelicesfoundation.org with any questions about our program.
Program Partners
-
Antología de la Canción de Arte Chilena
A PROJECT OF UNIVERSIDAD ALBERTO HURTADO
-
Centro Mariápolis
CUNACO, CHILE
-
Universidad Alberto Hurtado
SANTIAGO, CHILE