Opera Institute
Admissions Information
Program Application
A completed application is required to audition for Opera Institute. This application should be brought with you to your live audition or mailed in with your audition video.
Click to download this application: Opera Institute 2013 Application
Audition Information
Opera Institute accepts live and video auditions. Students eligible to audition should be 15-18 years old and already engaged in in-depth vocal and/or piano study with an interest in pursuing a musical career in opera. Singers currently should be studying Italian Art Songs.
Audition Requirements
Singers - Please prepare two art songs; one must be in Italian. Arias are strongly discouraged. If attending a live audition, please bring two copies of your music along with your completed application and letter of recommendation. An accompanist will be provided.
Accompanists - Please prepare one solo piece, Caro Mio Ben in E-flat, and be ready to sight-read with a singer. A singer will be provided. If you are sending in a DVD audition, please record yourself playing one solo piece and Caro Mio Ben with a singer. Also, have your teacher describe your sight reading skills in his/her letter of recommendation.
Live Auditions
Live auditions are strongly preferred by the judging panel for students who live within a 3-4 hour drive from Washington, DC. To schedule a live audition, please call (202) 416-8846 or email operainstitute@kennedy-center.org by January 25, 2013.
Video Auditions
This applies only to students who are not able to make a live audition. Students must announce their name, the name of their selection, and the composer of their selection at the beginning of the video; be dressed for an audition; and have the camera set to show a full-length shot of them for the entirety of their performance. For video auditions, please upload your audition video to YouTube as an unlisted video and submit the link with this application to operainstitute@kennedy-center.org. Please do not send a DVD unless the YouTube posting is not available.
Audition Dates
(Please contact us to schedule an audition by January 25, 2013)
- Washington, DC:
- Saturday, January 26 & Saturday, February 2, 2013.
- The John F. Kennedy Center
2700 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20566 - Video auditions:
- must be received by January 25, 2013
Tuition & Scholarships
The costs below are for the three weeks of Opera Institute's 2013 summer:
| Tuition | $1,900 |
| Housing | $1,000 |
| Total | $2,900 |
Opera Institute has partial and full tuition scholarships available for students with financial need. However, all students are encouraged to find additional funding through businesses in their community, their schools, and local music societies. Some students even have created their own benefit concerts!
- Students applying for scholarships must provide:
- A statement of need
- Proof of annual parent/guardian income (IRS 1040/1040A), and
- Completed Scholarship Form. This is due, along with your application, at the time of your audition.
