Deadline approaching for Cafritz Young Artist applications
Apply for Washington National Opera’s resident-training program by Oct. 12.
The Cafritz Young Artist Program of Washington National Opera offers artists on the verge of international careers a course of intensive training, study, career guidance, and performance opportunities in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
Payment is provided: Stipend, reimbursement of monthly health insurance premium (up to a certain amount), one-time moving allowance, wellness allowance, financial assistance with travel for competitions, lessons, and auditions. Singers will also have the opportunity to perform and cover roles in Washington National Opera mainstage productions, which are compensated according to AGMA stipulations in addition to regular stipend. Pianists will have the opportunity to work on a mainstage production each season as part of the WNO music staff.
Audition and application information for singers and pianists is below. For more information about the program, the application process, or the audition requirements, please email CYA@kennedy-center.org.
Application Information: Singers
How to Apply
We are working together with other young artist programs on a coordinated virtual audition process this fall. Steps are outlined below to guide your understanding of this shared audition process.
- Step 1: Apply to each program as you normally would. Applications are due Monday, October 12.
- Step 2: Notifications of second-round video auditions will be sent by each company by Friday, November 6. This notification will contain a link to submit a new aria list.
- Step 3: Submit your aria list (one list for all programs), indicating your chosen “starter” aria, by Tuesday, November 10.
- Step 4: Notification of requested arias from your list (one request for all programs) will be sent on Friday, November 13.
- Step 5: Record a new video audition and submit the video to each company directly by Monday, November 30.
Deadline: Received by Monday, October 12.
Materials Required
- Online YAP Tracker application
- Submission of three audio or video samples
- Audition repertoire list
Audition Requirements
Audio samples may be uploaded in audio or video format. Please ensure your uploads are in a standard, accessible format and that the uploads are successful.
You will be contacted directly if you are granted a second round audition. Please contact us immediately if you need to reschedule or cancel your audition after one has been granted.
Repertoire lists should include a minimum of four selections in a minimum of three standard operatic languages. Art song and musical theater selections are welcome, although a majority of operatic selections is encouraged.
The first selection is the candidate’s choice. One or two subsequent selections will be requested at the discretion of the panel. These selections will be communicated to you prior to the submission deadline for second round audition videos.
After the second round of remote auditions, a small number of candidates will be invited to D.C. for final auditions and interviews in December. Final offers will be made in January and February 2021.
Application Information: Pianists
How to Apply
We are working together with other young artist programs on a coordinated virtual audition process this fall. Steps are outlined below to guide your understanding of this shared audition process.
- Step 1: Apply to each program as you normally would. Applications are due Sunday, December 6.
- Step 2: Notifications of second-round auditions will be communicated between January 15-February 15.
Deadline: Received By Sunday, December 06, 2020
Materials Required:
- Online YAP Tracker application
- Candidates must submit at least three different audio/video clips of their playing, which may be a combination of solo pieces, clips of the candidate singing and playing an operatic excerpt, or of the candidate accompanying a singer in an aria or song of their choice (live or remote).
Audition Requirements
Candidates must submit at least three different audio/video clips of their playing, which may be a combination of solo pieces, clips of the candidate singing and playing an operatic excerpt, or of the candidate accompanying a singer in an aria or song of their choice (live or remote).
Once the initial review of applications is complete you will be contacted directly if you are granted a second round remote audition. After the second round of remote auditions, a small number of candidates will be invited to D.C. for final auditions and interviews in January/February 2021. Final offers will be made in February/March 2021.
CURRENT FACULTY & STAFF
Robert Ainsley: Program Director
Ken Weiss: Principal Coach
Caitlin Oldham: Program Coordinator
Isabel Leonard: Artistic Consultant
Laura Brooks Rice, Neil Shicoff: Principal Voice Teachers
Leah Crocetto: Guest Master Coach and Vocal Instructor
Kathy Kelly, Hemdi Kfir, Pierre Vallet, Howard Watkins: Guest Master Coaches
Brenna Corner: Dramatic Coach
Karma Camp: Movement Instructor
Maddalena Borea: Italian Language Instructor
Ole Hass: German Language Instructor
Vera Danchenko-Stern: Russian Coach
Tiffany Soricelli: Financial Counselor
