Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS

Performances in the 2027 Season will include the following productions:

• PUTS: The Hours
  • Conductor: Patrick Summers
  • Directors: Ryan McKinny and Tonya McKinny
  • Performance: July 19 and 21 in the Wheeler Opera House
      
• BIZET: Carmen
  • Conductor: Ludovic Morlot
  • Director: TBD
  • Performance: August 20 in the Michael Klein Music Tent

RENÉE FLEMING ARTISTS will sing and cover leading roles in mainstage productions and will receive vocal instruction from Renée Fleming when she is in residence, in addition to a 45-minute weekly lesson with their primary artist-faculty member. Fleming Artists will receive 60-minute lessons from their primary artist-faculty member outside of Ms. Fleming's residency. Fleming Artist fellowships cover tuition, room, and board as well as a $1500 stipend. 

Meet the 2026 Renée Fleming Artists!

STUDIO ARTISTS will sing and cover leading and supporting roles and/or perform in the chorus for mainstage productions if a production calls for an AMFS Chorus. They will receive 60-minute lessons from an AMFS artist-faculty member. Included in this appointment is a fellowship covering tuition, room, and board.

Meet the 2026 Studio Artists!

APPLICATION OPENS AUGUST 1

All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live.

The materials below will be required with the application.

• Resume
• Headshot
• Applicants will be asked to provide contact information for two individuals who can speak to their qualifications. 
• All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Videos must be submitted as individual tracks and are recommended to be at a professional level. Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live. Audition requirements below.

The Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program is best suited for individuals between the ages of 20–30 years old, but is open to singers of any age and at any stage of their career.  Renée Fleming Artists are expected to have at least completed their junior year of an undergraduate degree program in vocal performance and/or participated in a young artist program. To be considered for a Fleming Artist appointment, singers must have performed (or covered) a complete role. Singers at this level should also have extensive experience singing in multiple languages.     

All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Videos must be submitted as individual tracks and are recommended to be at a professional level. Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live.

• At least 12 minutes of music (minimum four pieces) in at least two languages that is representative of the singer's artistic profile. Repertoire should include two arias, one art song, and either a music theater or popular song.
• OPTIONAL — Spoken monologue of one to two minutes (can be dramatic, comedic, poetic, contemporary)    
• OPTIONAL — A selection from the 2027 season repertoire (PUTS: The Hours, BIZET: Carmen) 

Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live. Live audition repertoire does not have to be the same as the recorded audition. Singers will be asked to submit their audition list when they sign up for a live audition time and are not required to bring a printed audition list, a headshot, or a resume to the audition.    

Singers will be allowed to choose their first piece and may be asked to sing additional pieces by the audition panel.    

• At least 12 minutes of music (minimum four pieces) in at least two languages that is representative of the singer's artistic profile. Repertoire should include two arias, one art song, and either a music theater or popular song.
• OPTIONAL — Spoken monologue (memorized) of one-two minutes (can be dramatic, comedic, poetic, contemporary). 
• OPTIONAL — A selection from 2027 season repertoire (PUTS: The Hours, BIZET: Carmen) 

• August 1, 2026: application opens
• September 1, 2026: application closes at 11:59 pm ET
• $30 application fee from August 1-September 1, 2026

Los Angeles, CA - Thursday, September 24, 2026 (LA Opera)

Houston, TX - Monday, September 28, 2026 (Houston Grand Opera)

New York, NY - 

• Tuesday, October 6, 2026 (Christ and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church)
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 (St. John's in the Village)
• Thursday, October 8, 2026 (Christ and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church)

Chicago, IL - Friday, October 9, 2026 (Lyric Opera of Chicago)