Young Artist Program
Application Deadline
October 17, 2014
2015 Program Dates
June 1, 2015 - July 26, 2015
Online Application
https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/opera-saratoga-2015
Founded as the Lake George Opera Festival in 1962, Opera Saratoga maintains one of the oldest young artist programs in the country with alumni singing around the world. Led by program director Laurie Rogers, the young artist program accepts no more than 20 artists each season to provide significant individual attention for each participant.
2015 will be Opera Saratoga's first season under the new leadership of Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson. During the summer of 2015, the company will be expanding its offerings to include three main stage productions and an extensive series of community engagement events and concerts over an 8-week period from June 1st to July 26, 2015. In tandem with the expansion of the season, the Young Artist Program is being expanded to provide greater professional development opportunities for emerging professionals. The program will consist of three tiers for singers, as well as opportunities for pianists, conductors and directors:
Studio Artists: For many Studio Artists, Opera Saratoga will be their first Young Artist program. Studio Artists sing chorus in main stage repertoire, cover supporting roles, and participate in community outreach concerts. In addition, Studio Artists participate in coachings and master classes throughout the season with music staff and guest artists.
Apprentice Artists: Most Apprentice Artists will have already completed at least one or more summer in a young artist program at Opera Saratoga or another company. Apprentice Artists are featured in concert and outreach performances, cover supporting and/or principal roles, sing supporting roles, and sing chorus in main stage repertoire. In addition, Apprentice Artists participate in coachings and master classes throughout the season with music staff and guest artists.
FestArtists (NEW FOR 2015): FestArtists are emerging professionals who are assigned significant roles in main stage repertoire, cover principal roles, and sing limited chorus in main stage productions. FestArtists are also prominently featured in season concerts, and participate in coachings and other professional development activities. FestArtists will generally be singers who have graduate school degrees, or are in their final year of graduate school, and who have previously been Apprentice Artists with Opera Saratoga and/or have already participated in other Young Artist programs. Opera Saratoga makes a significant commitment to FestArtists beyond the summer season. Upon successful completion of a summer FestArtist contract, singers are guaranteed a principal artist contract in one of Opera Saratoga's following two seasons. Principal contract offers are determined in partnership with each artist to provide them with the opportunity to add a role to their repertoire that is important for their ongoing professional development beyond the Young Artist Program. Managed singers in early stages of their career may apply as FestArtists.
Pianists/Coaches: Pianists will have the opportunity to play for main stage rehearsals, cover rehearsals, and coachings. Pianists will participate in public concerts and play for community outreach events. They will also have the opportunity to gain practical coaching experience as well as to receive career guidance under the guidance of Opera Saratoga's artistic staff.
Conductors (NEW FOR 2015): This season, Opera Saratoga will welcome one or two Conducting Fellows, who will have the opportunity to serve as the assistant conductor on a main stage production, as well as to observe rehearsals of the other two productions. Conducting Fellows will also have the opportunity to gain practical coaching experience, and will receive professional career guidance from the three conductors who will be in residence with Opera Saratoga for the summer.
Directors (NEW FOR 2015): This season, Opera Saratoga will welcome one or two Directing Fellows, who will have the opportunity to serve as the assistant director on a main stage production, as well as to observe rehearsals of the other two productions. Directing Fellows will also have the opportunity to gain practical coaching experience, and will receive professional career guidance from the three directors who will be in residence with Opera Saratoga for the summer.
2015 Season Information
Three main stage productions will be presented during the summer of 2015. Repertoire will be announced at the end of September, 2014.
Members of the young artist program will cover all roles in all three operas, and will also be cast in supporting roles. Full details of role opportunities will be posted online October 1st, 2014.
Audition Information
Audition Cities and Dates
New York, NY: November 30, December 1, December 2
Cincinnati, OH: December 4
Houston, TX: December 6
Audition Requirements
Artists invited to audition must confirm acceptance within one week of receiving invitations.
Singers: All singers invited to audition must present a list of five (5) contrasting arias at the time of their audition. One of these must be a contemporary aria in English (not musical theater) written post-World War II.
Pianists and Conductors: Selected pianist and conductor applicants will receive specific audition requirements in their invitations.
Directors: Directors will be asked to present their portfolios at the time of their interview.
Compensation
Opera Saratoga provides a weekly allowance to all three tiers of artists, a transportation stipend, and shared-accommodation housing. Please note that Opera Saratoga only provides housing to participants and does not provide housing to spouses/partners, children, other relatives and/or pets.
To Apply Online, Please Visit:
https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/opera-saratoga-2015
