Audition for Wolf Trap Opera

• • • • Approximately 15–20 singers are selected annually from an initial pool of around 800 applicants.
      • Filene Artists are at an interim point between academic training and full-time professional careers. They have recently finished graduate or professional degree programs from the top music schools in the country and have often participated in year-long young artist companies or summer apprenticeships. Many have already won prestigious awards and are on their way to significant careers.
      • All principal roles in Wolf Trap Opera productions are performed by the singers selected as Filene Artists.
      • If you are just beginning graduate study or haven’t done a paid young artist residency program, it’s probably too early to be competitive for a Filene Artist role. If it’s been more than two years since you were last involved in an academic or full-time young artist program, you have already moved beyond the reach of the program. 

• • • • Approximately 16–20 singers of significant potential are selected annually.
      • Studio Artists are either currently or recently enrolled in a university or conservatory voice program.
      • Studio Artists gain professional experience by covering their colleagues in the Filene Artist program, singing smaller roles and in choruses for WTO’s mainstage productions, and performing in opera scenes programs and recitals.
      • Offstage, Studio Artists work with a curated group of master teachers, guest artists, and WTO music staff to advance their audition and performance techniques and personal artistry. Additional training topics include use of language, recitative, acting and improvisation, public speaking, audition preparedness, crossover singing, materials review, and the business aspects required for a professional singing career.  
      • All casting assignments for Studio Artists take into account the singer’s readiness and will be made with an eye toward healthy vocalism, education, and advancement.
      • Studio Artists must have technical foundations secure enough to allow them to spend the duration of the program away from their regular voice teachers. 

• • • • Fellow candidates are currently involved in or have recently finished graduate degree programs or young artist training programs.
      • Coaching Fellows’ summers are structured according to individual strengths and needs. This typically includes serving as rehearsal pianist for one or more productions, providing artist coaching as needed, running supertitle translations during performances, and coaching and playing scenes programs.
      • Directing Fellows serve as Assistant Directors for WTO productions at The Barns and the Filene Center. Other assignments may include private dramatic coaching, directing scenes programs, and developing other projects.
      • Candidates who are already regularly working professionally are typically beyond the scope of this program.

• • • • Note: The application process for the apprenticeship program is not part of the fall audition tour but takes place during the winter.
      • Apprentices help produce and promote summer productions generally including three fully-produced operas, a concert opera, and recitals.
      • Please view full application details for apprentices. 

•    Submit a short application to Wolf Trap Opera through Acceptd
•    Link your Stagetime profile as the core of your submission
•    You can use Stagetime to populate all Acceptd applications—no more filling out the same information for multiple applications!
•    Keep your materials up to date so they are ready to share beyond only one audition
•    There is no fee to use either platform

•    Please only apply for either the Filene Artist OR the Studio Artist tier of the company. If we feel you are more competitive for a different tier, we will notify you.
•    Fees: The application process is free. If you are selected to receive an audition, you must confirm your appointment by submitting the pianist fee ($45 for Filene Artists / $25 for Studio Artists). If you choose to bring a pianist with you, WTO will waive the fee. There is no pianist fee for Coaching or Directing Fellows.
•    Materials: Required materials for all artists include a headshot and résumé; Studio Artist applicants MUST submit a link to an unedited, live video recording.

•    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 571.307.4672.
•    Confirmation: If you receive an invitation to audition, you must confirm your date and time by submitting payment. If payment is not required, send an email to opera@wolftrap.org within one week of notification.

•    All artists receive a weekly fee and a travel stipend.
•    Last season’s fee for Filene Artists was $775/week and for Studio Artists $425/week. The travel stipend was $425.

•    Housing is provided at no expense to all artists.
•    Filene Artists and Fellows are housed in furnished, corporate apartments.
•    Studio Artists receive dormitory lodging at George Mason University.
•    Wolf Trap Opera is unable to assume responsibility for housing spouses, partners, families, or pets.

•    All Artists must provide their own local transportation.
•    Wolf Trap is located in Northern Virginia in the Washington, DC suburbs, where both public transportation and sidewalks are inconsistent, and housing assignments are not walkable from our rehearsal and performance facilities. You will need to have a car or make other arrangements to navigate the area.

You may request feedback on your audition by emailing us at opera@wolftrap.org in January. Please allow up to 12 weeks for a response.