WHERE WE COME FROM
and where we’re going
On March 12th, 2020, the unthinkable happened: The Metropolitan Opera closed its doors as New York buckled down for its extended battle with Covid 19. It was clear even in those early days of quarantine that we were entering trying times for the performing arts, inextricably dependent on the ability of performers and their audience to gather both in rehearsal and performance.
On March 16th, Rachelle Jonck and Derrick Goff launched an online practice diary to provide community and inspiration for the singers we regularly work with in New York. It was designed to provide singers virtually with what ballet barre class delivers to dancers: a systematic exploration and practice of the basics of bel canto technique according to the well-known lesson book of Nicola Vaccai — The Vaccai Project was born!
Soon, a new, online community grew to include over 1700 singers, voice teachers, coaches, conductors, and opera lovers around the world. Rachelle and Derrick realized that they had discovered a method of delivering content that was not merely a quarantine-era substitute, but rather a powerful and promising method of disseminating high-level musical information while building a community of both established and aspiring operatic artists and teachers. The Vaccai Project prompted the birth of Bel Canto Boot Camp — a place for alumni of the course to apply the lessons learned at the feet of Vaccai to other repertoire and to explore additional historical texts as a group. These days BCBC also invites all lovers of singing to become members and listen and learn alongside the singers and teachers in our community.
At the heart of the organization is the spirit of inclusivity — an expansion of the richness of the New York opera community to artists all over the world, breaking the often prohibitive barriers of distance, cost, time, and audition-only programs.
Our members have now returned to performing around the world, and Bel Canto Boot Camp is a 501(c)(3) organization in the State of New York. We are here for the long haul! Our roots lie deep in the bel canto tradition and we are looking forward to seeing the fruits of this project for many years to come as our community reaches stages and communities around the world.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Take a look at our Bel Canto Boot Camp Guiding Principles.
Rachelle is a proud African currently living in New York City — a city she embraced with open arms when she first visited in 1998. She loves the energy of her current home, but her life philosophy is very much centered in the African spirit of ubuntu. Derrick is an American who loved Africa and her people, the generosity of welcome, and the importance of community from the first he set foot on it.
They often visit South Africa together and enjoy the wonder of wildlife in Kruger National Park and the silence of sunset over the Zambezi river. One can safely say that they spend most of their time outside of Bel Canto Boot Camp thinking about their next safari. The beauty of Africa and the spirit of its people never leaves those who come from it or visit it.
What is UBUNTU?
Ubuntu relates to bonding with others. This is in line with what the word expresses in most African languages: being self because of others. This is also in line with the popular Zulu saying: umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. Such sayings as I am because we are and I am human because I belong express this tenet. In African philosophy, an individual is human if he or she says I participate, therefore I am.
Various words have been used to describe the presence of ubuntu. Some of these are sympathy, compassion, benevolence, solidarity, hospitality, generosity, sharing, openness, affirming, available, kindness, caring, harmony, interdependence, collectivity, and consensus.
When you join Bel Canto Boot Camp and its projects, you do more than enter our shared, safe, creative space: you enter into the spirit of ubuntu.
