Watch out Berlin! I just booked my flights to stay in Berlin for two weeks this summer. I'm planning to study German, have some singing lessons and maybe if it's possible sing for one or two agents.

I could use some help with a few things:

1) I'm looking for a place to stay. Preferably fairly central in East Berlin. Best would be to share with people who speak German as I'm hoping to do some serious brushing up of my school German. Since I'm planning to do a bit of singing during my stay, somewhere where I also can practice or at least warm up would be ideal! But hey, I'm open for any suggestions, and I have a one bedroom flat in central Gothenburg in Sweden if anyone is interested in swapping.

2) I'm looking for a language school of decent quality. I'm not looking to do an intensive course as I wanna have time to do a lot of other things as well. A few hours a day would be fine. Price is also an issue, even if I'm willing to pay a little bit more for better education. I would also be up for doing this privately if I find a good teacher. In that case one hour each morning Monday to Friday for two weeks is about what I'm looking for.

3) I'd like to meet up with people who are in the business. One of my goals with the trip is to learn more about how things work down there. I'm currently reading "What the Fach", and as I said before I would like to sing for one or two agents just to get a feel for it. So, I'll buy you a pint and you'll tell me everything I need to know
Seriously, I'm pretty fun to hang out with, so if you have nothing better to do, or if you have plans and don't mind me tagging along, do let me know!

I'll leave a link for my couchsurfing page for reference:

http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/swedishtenor/

Bis später!

/Swede

So Berliners, do help him out if you can. Look forward to seeing there, Swede.

TS

Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

TS's Blog:http://tsvocaltech.blogspot.com

Hi Swede!

It will be fun to meet in Berlin!

As for language schools, I think if you are looking for just one or two hours of German a day I would recommend the Goethe Institut. Their teachers are highly trained and speak only German in the classes. This is a huge plus and a must in my opinion, especially if you are not looking for an intensive!

Viel Glück! Ich hoffe, wir werden uns bald sehen!

Beste Grüße
Rebecca

Thank you for your reply. We should definitely try and meet up at some point. Really to look forward to this trip!

Auf wiederhören!

...and I'd be happy to share my info with you. I stayed in Prenzlauer Berg (East Berlin) and attended a school called GLS Sprachenzentrum. They teach the Goethe curriculum but at about half the price. I did the intensive course and was in class 6 hours a day, which actually left me plenty of time to explore Berlin and do a few auditions. I stayed with a great lady whose spare room had a piano. She takes boarders from the Goethe Institut in July/August, but in June she usually finds someone independent of Goethe. I can give you her email address and let her know about you if you like! If you have any further questions about GLS, let me know. Viel Spass!

Thanks for the input! This is great stuff. I will definitely check out that school and I would be very grateful if you could get me in touch with the lady you stayed with. Perhaps we should continue this conversation via email?

Thanks again!

at biondanonima at yahoo. She may already have someone lined up, but you never know!

TS

Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

TS's Blog:http://tsvocaltech.blogspot.com

nt.

I'll be staying with a lovely couple from couchsurfing (which by the way rocks!) in Kreutzberg.

Looking forward to seeing some of you in a few weeks!

/Swede

Just arrived at my flat in Kreuzberg. Will enroll at the GLS Language school in Prenzlauerberg tomorrow.

I don't really have any plans other than going to a lot of exhibitions and see as many operas and concerts I can. I'm starting with Armida at Komische on Wednesday.

So if anyone wanna meet up for a coffee, drink or see a show together, just let me know and we'll work something out!

Mit freundlichem Gruss,

Erik