Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the frequently asked questions to find more information on our application, scheduling, and audition processes, as well as other general information regarding the Young Artist program.
Applications for the 2022 Season are now closed.
Chautauqua Opera once again joined in the consortium being organized by Houston Grand Opera in order to help streamline this season’s application process for all Young Artists. Chautauqua Opera’s application deadline is later than some other consortium companies, but all subsequent deadlines align with the consortium timeline.
Steps are outlined below to guide your understanding of this shared audition process.
Step 1: Apply to each program as you normally would. Applications for Chautauqua Opera are due by midnight eastern time Wednesday, September 22.
Step 2: Notifications of second-round video auditions will be sent by each company by Friday, October 8. This notification will contain a link to submit your audition aria list.
Step 3: Submit your aria list (one list for all programs), indicating your chosen “starter” aria, by Tuesday, October 12. This aria list must contain five (or more) selections, four of which must be operatic, reflecting at least three languages, including English. You will choose your starting aria.
Step 4: Notification of requested arias from your list (one request for all programs) will be sent on Friday, October 20.
Step 5: Record your video audition and submit the video to each company by Sunday, November 5.
If you have questions about Chautauqua Opera’s Young Artist program that are not addressed below, please email us at [email protected].
Contact Information
Chautauqua Opera
PO Box Q
Chautauqua, NY 14722
Opera Ticket Questions:
716.357.6250
General Opera Questions:
716.357.6286
Chautauqua Opera Company’s 2022 Season:
TOSCA
Music by Giacomo Puccini; Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
THUMBPRINT
Music by Kamala Sankaram; Libretto by Susan Yankowitz
Click here for more information about the roles and casting considerations for Thumbprint.
THE MOTHER of US ALL
Music by Virgil Thomson; Libretto by Gertrude Stein
Application Process
How do I apply for the Young Artist Program?
Applications for our Young Artist Program are housed on YAP Tracker. Simply fill out the application on YAP Tracker and attach all of the required materials.
Please note: Applying for the Young Artist Program does not guarantee that an audition will be granted.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications for the 2022 Young Artist Program are now closed.
What materials am I required to submit?
Along with the online application, yaptracker will prompt you to upload the following: an up-to-date resumé and headshot, digital audio recordings of 2 arias – 1 in English and 1 in another language.
You must also include a copy of documents proving your age (passport, driver’s license, or goverment-issued ID with birth-date) and right to work/study in the U.S. (passport or visa). Please note: the Chautauqua Opera Company can NOT provide a visa for non-US citizens. You must already have or be able to procure a work or student visa before your contract begins in June 2021, valid through the program’s duration, in order to be considered for this program.
Am I required to include letters of reference with my application packet?
No, we only require the name and contact information of your current voice teacher.
If I don’t have an original language English aria recorded, is it acceptable to send a musical theater or English artsong selection?
This is done on a case by case basis. It is always better to send an original language English aria (opera or oratorio), but if not, an aria translated into English would be preferable to either musical theater or artsong.
Is there an application fee?
There is no application fee for the 2022 Young Artist application.
Audition Process
Will CHQ be holding auditions in person this year?
This season all auditions will be held virtually, by submitting a video audition.
When will I be notified if I have received an audition?
You will be notified on Friday, October 8. We do notify all applicants, whether or not they receive an audition.
What should I do if I haven’t heard back by the notification date?
Please check your spam/junk email folders, as messages sent through YAP Tracker often get flagged, then email us at [email protected]
I’ve been granted an audition! What do I do next?
In the notification you receive, you will be asked to submit your audition aria list to the consortium. You will choose your starting aria, just as you would in a regular audition, and the companies will then vote on the two additional selections you will be asked to record. You will then be notified of the repertoire the panel has selected for your next audition and will be given a new date to create and submit your video(s). To be clear, the consortium’s goal is to streamline the process so that each singer only needs to create one audition video (or set of videos) this season.
When can I expect to hear whether I have been accepted into the Young Artist Program or not?
We expect invitations to be made in the first two weeks of December, 2021.
General Information
What is the age range of Chautauqua Opera Young Artists?
The age range for eligibility is 21 to 35. Young Artists must have completed their final year of undergraduate studies by the time the opera’s season starts in June.
How many artists are accepted into the program each year?
On average, we accept 8 Apprentice Artists and 16 Studio Artists.
What is the difference between an Apprentice Artist and a Studio Artist?
Apprentice Artists sing or cover leading, supporting and/or comprimario roles in mainstage productions, perform at outreach performances, perform with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and are hired under an American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Apprenticeship contract.
Studio Artists perform in the “Studio Showcase series”, which includes artsong recitals, Opera Invasions (community engagement events), open-mic nights, opera scenes, and operas for young audiences; they may also be assigned leading, supporting, comprimario or cover roles in the mainstage productions, and are hired under non-AGMA contracts.
ALL Young Artists appear in the chorus of mainstage productions. Young Artists receive extensive musical coaching from a nationally recognized coaching staff drawn from the finest universities, conservatories and opera houses in the US. Classes in movement, combat, makeup, and acting, as well as master classes given by distinguished artists, agents and voice teachers are offered to all Young Artists. Notable masterclass teachers in the past have included John Fisher (Metropolitan Opera), Peter Kazaras (UCLA), Marlena Malas (Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music), Craig Rutenberg (Metropolitan Opera) and Brian Zeger (Juilliard).
Housing, a weekly stipend and a travel allowance are provided for all Young Artists.
What are the dates for the summer season?
The Young Artist contracts begin in mid-June and end in early August.