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Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS

Important Information

  • Must be available for participation in the full-session, eight-week program
  • Fleming Artists receive fellowships covering tuition, room, and board plus $1,500 stipend
  • Studio Artists may apply for scholarship assistance up to full tuition and, in some cases, room & board 
  • Mentorship from Renée Fleming and Patrick Summers who will both be in residence for at least four of the eight-week session 
  • Resume, headshot, and letters of recommendation required

Fees & Deadlines

Deadline: September 15, 2023
Application opens August 1, 2023

Application Fee

$30 August 1–September 15, 2023

Audition Dates

Houston, TX (Houston Grand Opera)
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Chicago, IL (Lyric Opera of Chicago)
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Los Angeles, CA (LA Opera)
Monday, October 9, 2023
New York City, NY (Saint John's in the Village)
Friday, October 13, 2023
New York City, NY (Saint John's in the Village)
Friday, October 14, 2023

Program Description

Renée Fleming, co-artistic director
Patrick Summers, co-artistic director 

 APPLY NOW! 

The ground-breaking Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS (AOTVA) program, under the co-artistic direction of Renée Fleming and Patrick Summers, launched in Aspen in summer 2021.

Designed and led by the foremost opera minds of our time, the program offers a uniquely complete training for young singers for a future in the opera industry. Emphases include opera and concert work, emphasizing performances at the highest levels, and knowledge of the business, off-stage comportment, finances, contacts, and more.

Artist Fellows participate in two semi-staged productions led by distinguished conductors and directors, a gala Cabaret Evening, weekly opera scenes classes and song recitals, events in private homes, and in composer-artist collaborations with members of the Susan and Ford Schumann Center for Composition Studies. Additional opportunities include acting, meditation, and movement training; collaborations with Theatre Aspen; opera chorus; and industry auditions.

The program attracts 300–500 applications, of which 10–15 are invited as Renée Fleming Artists and approximately 20–30 are invited as Studio Artists.

2024 Productions and Additional Performance Opportunities

Performances in the 2024 Season will include the following productions:

  • HUMPERDINCK: Hänsel und Gretel (performed in German)  
    • Conductor: Patrick Summers
    • Director: Paula Suozzi
        
  • MOZART: Le nozze di Figaro
    • Conductor: Matthew Aucoin
    • Director: TBD

 

Special assignments for the 2024 season may include opportunities in contemporary music projects and Wagner's Die Walküre.

Additionally, singers from the 2024 season will be considered for AOTVA's 2025 productions, which include Puccini's La Bohème and Mozart's Così fan tutte

AOTVA Artist Appointments

RENÉE FLEMING ARTISTS will sing and cover leading roles in mainstage productions and will receive vocal consultation and mentorship from Renée Fleming. When Ms. Fleming is in residence, Fleming Artists receive 45 minutes of vocal instruction with Ms. Fleming weekly along with a 45-minute lesson with their primary artist-faculty member (or they may opt out of one of these two lessons). Fleming Artists will receive 60-minute lessons from their primary artist-faculty member outside of Ms. Fleming's residency. Fleming Artists will receive fellowship covering tuition, room, and board as well as a $1500 stipend.

MEET THE 2023 FLEMING FELLOWSHIP ARTISTS! 

STUDIO ARTISTS will sing and cover leading and supporting roles and/or perform in the chorus for mainstage productions. They will receive 60 minutes of vocal instruction weekly from an AMFS artist-faculty member. Studio Artists are eligible for fellowship and scholarship assistance. Please see our Fellowship and Financial Assistance page to learn more.

MEET THE 2023 STUDIO ARTISTS!

HOW TO APPLY 

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
  • Two letters of recommendation from a musical authority
     

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.     

PRE-SCREEN / RECORDED AUDITION REQUIREMENTS 

All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Videos must be submitted as individual tracks. 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 2024 season repertoire (HUMPERDINCK: Hänsel und Gretel, MOZART: Le nozze di Figaro

 

LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS 

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.
  • Spoken monologue (memorized) of one-two minutes (can be dramatic, comedic, poetic, contemporary). 
  •  OPTIONAL — A selection from the 2023 season repertoire (HUMPERDINCK: Hänsel und Gretel, MOZART: Le nozze di Figaro)  

 

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION