What are you looking for?
Beginners
Taking up something new is always daunting. However, singing can be a great way to both understand opera as an art form as well as get more in touch with your body and your self-confidence. Lyrical singing techniques work regularly on strengthening your connection to your body, breathing, muscle use and overall (stage) presence.
In the UK, you can go about starting in two ways:
CONSERVATOIRE or PRIVATE TUITION
Here are some links to more information on both types of learning paths:
CONSERVATOIRE
If you are completing your Secondary Education/under 19 (click to find out more):
PRIVATE TUITION
Some websites to get you started:
...there are many more! Look out for classified ads near you 👀
Higher education (Bachelor/Masters)
Taking the leap towards an operatic singing career is very exciting. However, nothing is more important than having the right training. See below for more information on Undergraduate and Graduate training options.
Conservatoires by city:
BIRMINGHAM
CARDIFF
GLASGOW
LEEDS
LONDON
MANCHESTER
Semi-Professional/Professional
At the end of a degree, many singers face a harsh reality: what on EARTH am I going to do next?
Below you will find a list of the best opportunity-providers for free-lancing young singers, from Young Artist Programs to online hubs for singing opportunities.
Programmes
What is a Young Artists’ Programme?
A Young Artists’ Programme is an advanced training opportunity for singer’s (and often repetiteurs/ accompanists) entering the industry professionally in the early stages of their career. YAPs are often highly beneficial for singers and are an excellent launch platform for future careers.
Joining YAP tracker will enable you to the following benefits:
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Access to over 3000 audition opportunities published each year.
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E-mail alerts and reminders for upcoming deadlines
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Tracking tools including personalized calendar, expense tracking and auditors
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Notifications when auditions and contracts have been offered to other singers
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Mobile friendly version
Visit: https://www.yaptracker.com/opportunities/
UK Young Artist Programmes
The National Opera Studio Young Artist programme is an advanced course for singers of a professional standard. NOS offers young singer’s the opportunity to learn their craft with the highest level of tuition and professional development. NOS works closely with partner opera companies to provide their artists with a platform for entering the opera industry. 12 singers and 4 repetiteurs are taken in on a yearly basis via audition. Training is completely free and people of all backgrounds are welcomed.
Visit: https://www.nationaloperastudio.org.uk/Pages/Category/yap
As the largest opera house in the UK, the Royal Opera House has a Young Artists’ programme to match. Young Artists are employed as salaried members of The Royal Opera and immersed in the life of the Royal Opera House over a two-year period.
Visit: https://www.roh.org.uk/about/jette-parker-young-artists-programme
Nevill Holt work with Young Artists’ who are either at music college or moving into a fully-fledged career. They cast singers in mainstage roles combined with a programme of coaching, masterclasses, movement and language classes.
Visit: https://www.nevillholtopera.co.uk/education/young-artist-programme
Run by Royal Academy of Music Professor Mark Wilde, Waterperry’s Young Artist Programme offers artists at the beginning of their careers mentorship and training in contemporary opera practice and collaborative theatre-making.
Visit: http://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/youngartists.html
...opportunity for singers that have recently finished, or are about to finish, their vocal studies.
Visit: https://lfo.org.uk/young-people/emerging-artist-programme
Harewood Artists undertake a programme of vocal and language training They are coached by experts in their repertoire and are fully supported through auditions for career-building performance opportunities with ENO, around the UK and abroad. Artists perform in mainstage performances or cover roles.
Visit: https://www.eno.org/about/professional-development/harewood-artists/
Opera Holland Park’s Young Artist Programme offers singers the opportunity to rehearse in a professional environment and perform on a major London stage to a paying audience during our summer festival. The scheme also encourages participants to develop new skills through their involvement with Opera Holland Park's award-winning Inspire programme.
Visit: https://operahollandpark.com/opportunities/young-artists-scheme/
Through the Jerwood Young Artist Programme the singers work with leading conductors, directors, choreographers, theatre specialists and vocal coaches to enhance their skills and experience.
Visit: https://www.glyndebourne.com/about-us/talent-development/jerwood-young-artists/
Based at Snape Maltings in Suffolk, the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme hosts some of the premier performers and teachers who lead intensive projects, which culminate in high profile performances. Courses at the BPYAP are free for all participants and travel costs are covered. There is no upper age limit but most artists are over 18 years old and either current students or recent graduates of a major music performance or composition degree course.
Visit: https://snapemaltings.co.uk/music/britten-pears-young-artist-programme/
Since 2010, Iford arts has run a YAP for singers in the early stages of their career.
Visit: https://www.ifordarts.org.uk/about-us/iford-arts-new-generation-artists-programme/
As well as singing in the chorus, young artists will be considered for covers and small roles. They also have the opportunity to take part in development performance(s), masterclasses, recitals and other enrichment activities.
Visit: https://www.garsingtonopera.org/news/applications-open-alvarez-young-artists-programme
The Samling programme is for young singers and accompanist at the start of their careers. The artists showcase their development in public masterclasses and concerts at Sage Gateshead during the week and each year, we also present a Showcase at Wigmore Hall.
Visit: http://www.samling.org.uk/samling-artist-programme/
Visit: https://buxtonfestival.co.uk/about-us
ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES
Facebook groups:
It's easy to forget that our social media outlets are also excellent opportunity-melting-pots!
National Student Opera Society (but we're biased)
Opera Auditions & Opportunities for Classical Singers/Musicians in Europe
Classical Musicians; AUDITIONS; PROGRAMS; JOBS.
Auditions for Opera Singers – Europe
Opera Singers Auditions Talk & Platform Forum – Group
Websites:
More will be added on a regular basis.
Featured Opportunities:
(last updated 31st January 2020)
Please email us (nationalstudentoperasociety@gmail.com) if you would like to be featured in this section.