www.wolftrap.org/Opera/Audition/FYA.aspx
Filene Young Artist opportunities include leading, featured and supporting roles in two or three opera productions and several recital or concert opportunities.
Season Dates
We do not set exact dates until we hear auditions, decide on repertoire and embark on casting. Rehearsals will begin in mid/late May, and performances may last through the third week of August. Not all Filene Young Artists are required to be present for the entire season, but you should only apply if you are available for at least two months of this mid-May to mid-August time frame. Please note any conflicts within the overall time frame on your application form.
About Filene Young Artists
Filene Young Artists sing principal, featured and supporting roles in all WTO productions. Approximately 15 Filene Young Artists are engaged for each summer season. They are paid a stipend, and housing is provided at no cost.
Successful candidates are at an interim point between academic training and full-time professional careers. Most FYA’s are currently enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program or are not more than 2-3 years past completion of academic training and/or full-time young artist program work.
If you are just beginning graduate study, or haven’t done any of the paid young artist residency programs, it’s probably too early to be competitive. Conversely, if it has been more than 2 years since you were last involved in an academic or full time young artist program, you have already moved beyond the reach of our program.
Fall 2014 Audition Dates & Deadlines
New York, NY Sept. 1 Sept. 13 Oct. 4, 5, 6, 7
Cincinnati, OH Sept. 1 Sept. 20 Oct. 11, 12
Chicago, IL Sept. 10 Sept. 22 Oct. 14, 15, 16
Philadelphia, PA Sept. 10 Sept. 28 Oct. 19
Los Angeles, CA Sept. 24 Oct. 5 Oct. 26
San Francisco, CA Sept. 24 Oct. 5 Oct. 28
Houston, TX Oct. 6 Oct. 21 Nov. 5, 6, 7
Vienna, VA Oct. 6 Oct. 22 Nov. 10, 11, 12
Eligibility
You must either be a U.S. citizen or be authorized to work in the United States through the end of August.
If you are scheduled for a callback audition and chosen as a finalist, you will need to provide proof of right to work in the U.S.
The Application Process
Screening: We are not able to grant live auditions to every applicant. There is no limit to the number of years you may apply, but within the screening process, preference is sometimes given to new applicants. Applications are screened on the basis of the application form and attached resume. No CDs or DVDs are required or accepted.
Deadlines: Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
Ways to Apply: Apply online (link below) or contact us at opera@wolftrap.org to request a PDF application.
Fees: The $30 fee is an application fee (not an audition fee) and is nonrefundable. All applications are personally reviewed. Fees must be paid by credit card or Paypal. Personal checks are not accepted.
Post-Application Correspondence Timeline
Initial Notification: Approximately 3 weeks before the requested audition date you will be notified by email as to whether or not you have been scheduled for an audition. If you do not hear from us, and it is 3 weeks before your requested date, contact us at opera@wolftrap.org or 703.255.1935.
Confirmation: If you receive an email inviting you to an audition, you must reply within 5 days to confirm that audition time.
Important: Please enable email from the domain wolftrap.org so that messages aren’t lost to junk mail/spam filters.
Audition Scheduling
Cancellation: If you need to cancel due to illness, please notify us at opera@wolftrap.org or call 703.255.1935 to speak with someone or leave a voice message. Do not try to reach us at the audition space.
Time Swaps: Our audition days are tightly scheduled. We are unable to accommodate changes in your appointment time. In the event that you need to change your audition time, you can find someone with whom you can swap; however, Wolf Trap will not facilitate this process. If you do swap audition appointments, please notify us at opera@wolftrap.org.
Audition Repertoire
Please offer four arias in contrasting styles and languages. Include at least one aria in Italian; one aria by Mozart, Handel, or Rossini; and one aria in English.
You may change audition repertoire, but please adhere to the above requirements.
You will begin your audition with an aria of your choice. An additional selection may be requested.
Audition Materials
3 copies of your résumé
3 copies of your audition repertoire list
Do not bring a headshot or any additional promotional materials (bios, CD’s, press clippings).
Accompanist
A pianist will be provided, but you may bring your own pianist if you prefer.
We are not able to arrange pre-audition rehearsals with the company pianist.
Callbacks
Callback auditions will be held on the same day as preliminary auditions or by request on a subsequent audition day. There are no additional days exclusively for callbacks.
If you are unable to come back during the established callback period at the end of the day, please notify us when you check in.
Upon checking in, you will receive instructions on how and when to access the callback list.
If you have any trouble accessing the callback list on the day of your audition, call the WTOC office at 703.255.1935 to speak with someone or leave a message.
Resolution
If your name is not on the callback list, you are no longer under consideration for this year's company.
You may request feedback on your audition by emailing us at opera@wolftrap.org. Feedback is provided between January 15 - February 15 each season.
Background: About the Filene Young Artists
Criteria for selection
Readiness to perform carefully selected solo roles in original languages: singers must have the stamina for full-length roles with orchestra as well as considerable fluency in singing the basic operatic languages.
Evidence of secure technique and solid training: If you are still solving basic technical problems that are critical to your mastery of repertoire in your Fach, then you are not a prime candidate.
Distinctive vocal quality and high level of personal artistry: we are looking for singers who have basic instruments that are well-suited to a career in opera and who build on that foundation to present themselves as compelling and thoughtful artists.
Perceived career potential: best described as the intersection of those factors listed above.
Wolf Trap Residency Logistics
Wolf Trap Opera assists all Filene Young Artists in locating housing with volunteer housing hosts within reasonable commuting distance. The average housing situation is located 5-10 miles away from our rehearsal and performance facilities. Wolf Trap is unable to assume responsibility for housing spouses, partners, or pets.
All Filene Young Artists must provide their own round-trip and local transportation. Wolf Trap is located in the Virginia suburbs, where both public transportation and sidewalks are inconsistent, and housing assignments are often several miles away from our rehearsal and performance facility. You will need to have a car or make other arrangements to navigate the area.
All Filene Young Artists receive a stipend. During last season, the weekly amount was $650.
Ready to Apply?
Online interactive application
You may reach us at:
703.255.1935
opera@wolftrap.org
1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182
