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Resident Artist Program

Overview

Festival Opera’s Resident Artist Program is a comprehensive, season-long professional development initiative designed to support emerging opera singers at a pivotal stage in their careers. The program provides paid performance opportunities, individualized training, and practical business education—bridging the gap between the conservatory experience and a sustainable professional life in opera. Resident Artists will be able to maintain concurrent employment, studies, etc. as long as they are able to commit to agreed upon performances, coachings, and other engagements related to the program. Resident Artists are fully integrated into Festival Opera’s artistic and community presence, gaining experience both onstage and off.

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Eligibility

This program is open to Bay Area-based emerging artists who have considerable ability and are ready to embark on a professional career in opera. Singers of all voice types over the age of 22 are welcome to apply, with no upper age limit. The audition panel will be seeking talented individuals who collaborate well and bring unique artistry and perspective to their work. Artists who have secured lead and featured solo engagements with Opera America Level 1 companies are not eligible to apply.

Performance Opportunities

Resident Artists receive substantial, hands-on, paid performance experience throughout the season, allowing them to refine their artistry while building professional credentials.

  • Mainstage Roles

    • Casting in principal, supporting, and/or cover roles in Festival Opera productions

    • Participation in rehearsals, coachings, and production meetings

  • Resident Artist Showcase Concert

    • Curated recital or concert highlighting each Resident Artist

    • Repertoire chosen to showcase individual strengths and artistic identity

  • Outreach and Community Events

    • Performances in schools, community centers, libraries, and partner venues

    • Informal concerts and educational presentations designed to engage new audiences

Training and Education

The program emphasizes rigorous artistic growth through personalized and group instruction tailored to the demands of a professional operatic career.

  • Vocal Coaching

    • Regular coachings with experienced opera coaches and conductors

    • Role preparation and repertoire development

  • Language Coaching

    • Diction and stylistic coaching in Italian, French, German, and English

    • Application to current and future repertoire

  • Acting for Singers

    • Movement, character development, and text analysis

    • Scene study and dramatic interpretation

  • Strength and Endurance for Singers

    • Physical conditioning, breath work, and injury prevention

    • Tools for maintaining vocal and physical health during performance seasons

  • Audition Preparation Workshops

    • Aria selection, audition pacing, and presentation

    • Mock auditions with professional feedback

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Business and Marketing Skills

Recognizing that a successful operatic career requires entrepreneurial skills, the program includes practical training in and frameworks for career management and self-promotion.

  • Branding and Marketing Basics

    • Identifying artistic niche and professional goals

    • Developing a clear and authentic personal brand and voice

  • Materials Creation and Editing

    • Website review and development

    • CV/biography writing and editing

    • Headshot and promotional material development

  • Audition Video Filming

    • Professional audition video recording for artist’s future use

    • Coaching on repertoire choice and on-camera performance

  • Social Media Marketing

    • Strategies for effective online presence

    • Content planning and audience engagement

  • Creating Business Frameworks for a Successful Career

    • Career planning, goal-setting, and contract basics

    • Networking and relationship-building in the opera industry

  • Finance and Tax Basics

    • Budgeting and economic realities for freelance artists

    • Taxes, deductions, and financial planning essentials

  • Auditions for Other Companies and Opportunities

    • Guidance on navigating YAPs, general auditions, competitions, and agents

    • Auditions for resident artists will be arranged with other producing orgs

    • Support in identifying and applying for external opportunities

Program Outcomes

By the conclusion of the Resident Artist Program, participants will have:

  • Performed in professional mainstage and community settings

  • Developed refined artistic and technical skills

  • Built polished audition and marketing materials

  • Gained practical tools for managing a freelance operatic career

  • Established meaningful professional relationships within Festival Opera and other producing orgs in the area

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Why Festival Opera?

  • Bay Area–based, community-rooted, artist-centered

  • Small cohort = real access, real mentorship

  • Focused on today’s opera industry—not the one from 30 years ago

 

This program is for singers who are ready to step into the professional world—with support, encouragement, and resources individually tailored for a sustainable career in the field of opera.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter along with the following:

  • CV/Resume, bio, and headshot

  • Website URL (if any)

  • Recommendation letter from voice teacher, director, conductor, or coach you’ve worked with recently.

  • Video links of two or more recent aria, art song, or scene performances. 

  • Audition repertoire list of 5-6 arias in varying languages and musical periods, with at least one in English. 

 

The first round of auditions will take place virtually with video submissions. Artists who are asked to present a live audition in the Bay Area will be notified with details by March 1, 2026 for live auditions happening March 21 & 22. Final auditions will be held as working sessions with each individual artist, scheduled at mutually agreeable times the first week of April, 2026. Resident Artists will be announced mid-April, 2026.

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: Submission packets must be received by February 22, 2026. 

PROGRAM DATES: May-September, 2026.

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Please submit all materials in one email to info@festivalopera.org with the subject line RESIDENT ARTIST AUDITIONS.

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