The glorious finale of our 2014-15 Resident Artist production, Rodelinda.
The 2014-15 Resident Artist production, Rodelinda. David Bachman Photography.

Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artist Program has long been hailed as one of the country's leading training programs for emerging opera artists. While providing guidance from the opera industry’s leaders and innovators, the program guides singers through the development of their vocal skills, improvement of their stage presence and expansion of their repertoire.

Resident Artist Auditions

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opera companies across the country are having to forego in-person auditions. For the first time we are collaborating with other opera companies to streamline a virtual audition process. Pittsburgh Opera is proud to be a part of a this partnership.  

Through this collaborative effort, aspiring singers can track applications to all participating young artist programs through YAPTracker website. This streamlined process allows opera companies to efficiently review remote auditions and provides consistency to artists as they move through the audition process. 

To Apply - fill out our YAP Tracker Resident Artist Audition Online Application Form

You do not need to be a paying subscriber to YAP Tracker to use the application form, although you will need an account (guest accounts are available; see the website for details).  Registration can be completed at Yap Tracker.

Application Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2020

We are not currently accepting Resident Artist Stage Director Applications for the 2021-22 Season.

Audition Information:

We are working together with other young artist programs on a coordinated virtual audition process this fall. Steps are outlined below to guide your understanding of this shared audition process. 

  1. Apply to each program as you normally would. Applications are due Monday, October 12.
  2. Notifications of second-round video auditions will be sent by each company by Friday, November 6. This notification will contain a link to submit a new aria list.
  3. Submit your aria list (one list for all programs), indicating your chosen “starter” aria, by Tuesday, November 10.
  4. Notification of requested arias from your list (one request for all programs) will be sent on Friday, November 13.
  5. Record a new video audition and submit the video by Monday, November 30.
  6. Pittsburgh Opera may invite select finalists from the second round of video submissions to audition in-person in late 2020 or early 2021.

Application Materials Required:

  • Current professional resume
  • One headshot
  • Two video recordings in contrasting styles and languages
  • One recent letter of recommendation from a recognized authority in the opera field
  • Non-refundable application fee of $5.00

Audition Requirements:

For Pittsburgh Opera’s 2020 Auditions, applicants will need to submit two video recordings made within the last 12 months in contrasting styles and languages. One must be an opera aria, one may be a performance recording, if desired. Recordings may be made with either live accompaniment or a pre-recorded track. In addition, they must submit a repertoire list of five contrasting arias demonstrating French, German, English and Italian language aptitude.
 
For the second-round video auditions, selected applicants will be required to submit a new repertoire list. The first selection is the applicant’s choice, one or two subsequent selections will be chosen from the list by the panel. If applicant is chosen by multiple companies for a second-round video audition, they will submit the same videos for all companies. Following the second-round video auditions, Pittsburgh Opera may invite finalists to Pittsburgh for a live audition in late December or early January.

If accepted as a Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera, the artist will be under exclusive contract from September 2021 through May 2022 and September 2022 through May 2023. If applicant is not prepared to accept the Resident Artist contract for its entire period, then the applicant should not participate in the audition. 

Compensation:

Resident Artists receive a weekly stipend, assistance with relocation expenses, AGMA rates for mainstage roles, and assistance with voice lessons. 

Resident Artist FAQ 2020