Opera Program List

Do you know what opera program is the best? Will a certain young artist program or college give you a sure advantage to a career at the Metropolitan Opera? It’s very possible that one program could make or break your career. Let’s dive in!

The Best Opera Programs

There is a complicated process in determining which program is the best for you, because it most likely is not ideal for everyone. In any case, we’ve put together a few lists of the best opera programs today and give you tips on how to know if it is right for you:

College Opera Program | Young Artist Program | Sumer Opera Program

The Best College Opera Program

We can’t deny that The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York has been ranked the #1 music school in the country by U.S. News and World Report for several years. Do they have the top college program though? Indiana University produces the most fully staged opera productions, does that make them the best?

Your first tip is to not rely on school rankings too heavily. Research where the youngest and brightest opera stars are graduating from, read bios, talk to older colleagues, but remember that programs can change in the matter of a few years.

The success of an opera singer lies mostly within their work with a voice teacher and not the college or conservatory that they choose so, be sure to take trial lessons with a number of teachers at the different schools on your list.

The Best Young Artist Program

Young Artist Programs, as we have defined them, are paid positions that do not take place in the summer. These types of opera programs are highly selective and give the singer opportunities that will help kick start their careers.

Well, of course the Lindemann Young Artist Program at the Met has to be the crème de la crème. Exposure to the biggest names in the business, taught by world-renowned voice teachers and coaches, it’s unarguably the best young artist program. Most of the singers that are part of the Lindemann program are selected from the finalist pool in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Don’t despair, though, there are a number of great young artist programs across the country.

The best programs are a combination of main stage performance opportunities, voice lessons, vocal and dramatic coaching, language lessons and more. Overall, though, the biggest perk these opportunities provide are the connections that you make with individuals that will hire you in the future.

The Best Summer Opera Program

First, we have to determine if you are looking for the top pay-to-sing program or you are hoping to get paid. Depending on your age and vocal development you may want to attend one of the many fine pay-to-sing programs.

The best summer opera programs are similar to the top young artist programs – performance experience, training under the top working professionals in the opera world and getting acquainted with future employers. Do your research to determine which type of program will best suit your vocal and performance needs. A common mistake for singers tends to be auditioning for programs that are “out of their league.” If you have a poor audition you may never have the opportunity to sing for them again. So, again, do your research – visit their website and determine the caliber of singer they accept, ask fellow colleagues or talk with your teachers.

Glimmerglass Opera and the Merola Opera Program are just two of the top paid summer programs in the US. Some of the best pay-to-sing opportunities include the Aspen Music Festival, Seagle Music Colony, and the Brevard Music Center. If you are interested in traveling abroad check out the link below for our Guide on International Summer Programs.

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