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Young Aritst On Stage at the Performance Pavilion on Pratt

Young Artist Program

Chautauqua Opera’s Young Artist Program was established in 1968. Now under the supervision of Artistic/General Director Steven Osgood and Carol Rausch, Music Administrator/Chorus Master, it is recognized as one of the best training programs for young singers in America today. Over 1,000 artists have benefitted from this professional training experience.

Chautauqua Opera provides our Young Artists with the performance tools essential to establishing a professional career in opera. All Young Artists receive extensive musical coaching from a nationally recognized coaching staff from the finest universities, conservatories and houses in the US. All Artists in the program are offered classes in movement, combat, makeup, and acting, and all artists appear in the mainstage productions. All young artists also have opportunities to participate in master classes taught by distinguished artists, agents, and voice teachers. Notable masterclass artists in the recent past have included John Fisher (Metropolitan Opera), Craig Rutenberg (Metropolitan Opera), Peter Kazaras (Seattle Opera YA Program), Marlena Malas (Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music), and Brian Zeger (Juilliard).

Each year, the Chautauqua Opera Young Artist Program attracts 700-900 applicants, of whom approximately 400 are invited to auditions in the Fall. From those auditions, 16 Young Artists are chosen to participate in the summer season.

Contact Information

Chautauqua Opera 
PO Box Q
Chautauqua, NY 14722

Opera Ticket Questions:
716.357.6250

General Opera Questions:
716.357.6286

To see our full season productions and application details, visit our Auditions FAQ page.

There are two sections of the Young Artist Program:

APPRENTICE ARTISTS sing or cover leading, supporting/comprimario roles and/or chorus in mainstage productions, perform two concerts with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and perform at outreach performances under the auspices of an American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Apprenticeship contract.

STUDIO ARTISTS sing or cover leading, supporting/comprimario roles and/or chorus in mainstage productions. In addition, Studio Artists perform in the “Studio Showcase Series,” which includes a season-long schedule of art song recitals, community outreach “Invasion” events, educational performances, and a program of opera scenes.

ALL YOUNG ARTISTS receive extensive musical coaching from a nationally recognized coaching staff from the finest opera houses, conservatories and universities. In addition, Young Artists have access to classes and individual coaching sessions with guest instructors specializing in stage combat, health and wellness, performance styles, and acting. 

Housing, a weekly stipend, and a travel allowance are provided for all Young Artists.

Alumni of the Young Artist Program include; Douglas Ahlstedt, Keri Alkema, Madeline Bender, Elizabeth Bishop, Luretta Bybee, Joyce Castle, Pamela Coburn, Diane Curry, Brian Davis, Harry Dworchak, Kate Egan, Ruth Falcon, Malin Fritz, Shuler Hensley, Joshua Hopkins, Carolyn James, Anita Johnson, Peter Kazaras, Adam Klein, Sunny Joy Langton, Mimi Lerner, Kyle Marrero, Emily Martin, Lee Merrill, Julie Newell, Mari Opatz, Derrick Parker, Eugene Perry, Herbert Perry, David Pittsinger, Jane Redding, Vale Rideout, Hugh Russell, James Schaffner, Jane Shaulis, Marietta Simpson, Stephanie Sundine, Renée Tatum, Todd Thomas, Mildred Tyree, David Ward, Tracey Welborn, Julie Wright and Sherry Zannoth. In upcoming seasons, former Young Artists will sing at The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis and many more.

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