It all begins with an idea. In 2013 Dr. Emilio Pons co-founded the Sankt Goar International Music Festival and Academy in Germany in order to bring directly together emerging and professional opera singers with casting directors and general managers without the need of going through a middle-man (a manager/agent). SGIMFA launched many careers in Europe.

In late 2021, Dr. Pons decided to move to New York City and reproduce his successful European model in the USA for the benefit of NYC-based emerging and professional singers. The Brownstone–Haus der Musik was established as a venue for the study and performance of classical music. It also hosts traveling musicians.

In late 2022, Dr. Pons and William Campbell applied to register the New York Vocal Arts Academy as an official public charity with 501(c)(3) status.

In late 2023, the letter of determination from the USA’s Internal Revenue Service granting the public charity status was sent and the groundwork for beginning the launch of the New York Vocal Arts Academy was laid.

The Holiday Season kick-off party thrown on December 2, 2023, marked the first official fundraising party to fulfill NYVAA’s mission.