Founded in 1984, Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Studio has gained worldwide recognition as one of the leading operatic training programs in the nation. The respected program provides talented young singers with an opportunity to refine the skills developed during formal music education, targeting those areas necessary to develop a successful opera career.

The selected artists receive extensive coaching and instruction during the 6-9 month residency. Under the guidance of a staff of working professionals, Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artists study with renowned professional artists and teachers from every aspect of the world of opera while gaining valuable performance experiences. Singers receive regular individual coaching sessions and participate in coachings, master classes and seminars given by acclaimed guest artists and teachers. Special classes in audition techniques fight choreography, dance, tax and personal finance, stress management and public relations may also be offered.

The highly competitive program accepts only 6-10 artists from over 600 applicants each year and has trained more than 150 young professionals who now appear on the stages of the nation’s leading operatic and theatrical organizations. During their residency, the Young Artists perform recitals and concerts for the community and outreach programs for area students, inspiring a new generation of artists and gaining valuable feedback. The Young Artists also sing principal and supporting roles and serve as understudies in the opera company’s mainstage performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

An Apprentice Coach works extensively with the Young Artists and visiting musical staff. The Apprentice Coach is selected from a competitive application process to perform the duties of coaching the Young Artists, taking part in concerts and recitals, accompanying chorus rehearsals and some mainstage performances, creating the supertitle scripts and calling supertitles for each performance.

Regular auditions and question and answer sessions are scheduled with visiting Artists Managers. Graduates of the program who have gone on to leading roles in major productions include Sarah Coburn, Rachele Gilmore, Leah Partridge, Elizabeth Caballero, Andrew Bidlack and Tom Corbeil.

Young Artists are in residency for six – nine months. Current members may be asked to return for a second year. Members of the Young Artists Studio are provided the following:

• Weekly stipend of $400.00
• Housing
• Utilities (except phone)
• Heath insurance
• Round-trip transportation to Miami
• Financial assistance for voice lessons

Additional fees are paid for mainstage roles under FGO’s current AGMA agreement.

All Young Artists are responsible for their own transportation and vehicle during their residence in Miami.

Staff
Ramon Tebar, Music Director
John Keene, Head of Music Staff / Coach

Every year, the opera company seeks sponsors for each singer to assist in covering the costs of artist stipends, voice instruction, and other training and career development activities. Learn more about artists for the current season.

Sponsorship Opportunities:
Young Artist Sponsor: $15,000/per year
Young Artist concert: $5,000
Annual Family Day sponsor: $10,000
Master Class Sponsor: $1,500
General Supporter: $500

For more information, contact Kevin Mynatt, Managing Director, 305-854-1643 ext. 1300 kmynatt@fgo.org.