The Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, N.Y., hosts a Young American Artists Program (YAAP) each summer, designed to give talented young singers hands-on experience in performance and a solid foundation of education in the early stages of their career. For three months, YAAP provides participants with a stipend, housing, transportation and meals, so these artists can focus solely on work.
Each apprentice attends classes on acting, diction, auditioning and the business of opera, all while receiving tailored musical coaching. In addition, Glimmerglass Opera provides several master classes from some of the industry's foremost performers. Based on the idea that performance is the best way to learn, apprentices are given ample opportunity to share their talent, often with administrators from opera houses across the nation.
Each summer, the San Francisco Opera hosts the Merola Opera Program for 20 young singers and one apprentice stage director. The program provides housing, tuition, a living stipend and travel expenses for its apprentices, as well the opportunity for graduates of the program to apply for career grants during the five years following their involvement.
The Merola Opera Program provides a well-rounded and rigorous training program that touches on "musical style and interpretation, role preparation, movement and acting, accompaniment and conducting, languages and diction and breath work." In addition, apprentices in the Merola Opera Program participate in master classes by coaches, directors, singers and conductors. As part of their experience, participants are involved in fully staged operas and showcases of their talent.
Once enrolled in this program, apprentices are connected to the San Francisco Opera for life, and are able to look to this world-famous opera company for guidance throughout their career.
The New York Opera Studio hosts a Summer Intensive Program each year at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Unlike the aforementioned programs, tuition is required to participate in this program. In 2010, the tuition rate was $1,700, though it varies from year to year. Tuition includes room, three meals a day, access to facilities and resources as well as a full course schedule.
This 10-day program provides guidance to young singers as they learn the "process of integrating musical ideas, language skills, body language and acting craft" into their operatic performance. An audition is required to participate in this program, but a unique feature of this summer opera program is the absence of an age requirement. High school students, however, are not encouraged to audition.
Participants are involved in rehearsal for an operatic performance and classes, which include discussion, mask making, theater games and artistic exploration. With three concert events throughout the program, singers showcase in public venues the skills learned.