Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
National Opera Studio
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Tiktok
Book tickets Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • Our story
      • History
      • Who we are
      • Vision and mission
      • The difference we make
    • Our team
      • Board
      • Sounding Board
      • Coaches
      • Staff
    • Opportunities
    • Our partners
    • Press and media
    • Annual reports
    • Policies
    • Contact Us
  • Training
    • Global Talent Programme
    • Diverse Voices
    • Short courses
    • FAQs
  • What's on
  • Support us
    • Why you should support us
    • Become a Friend
    • Be a donor
    • Current supporters
  • Artists and alumni
    • 2023/24 Young Artists
    • Alumni
  • Venue hire
    • Spaces for hire
    • Filming and Livestreaming
  • Discover more
    • News
    • Articles
    • Videos
    • Living Opera
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Training
  2. FAQs

FAQs for Global Talent Programme Applications

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the application and audition procedure for singers and repetiteurs applying for our Global Talent Programme:

What is the structure of the Global Talent Programme?

Expand

The NOS runs a nine-month full-time Global Talent Programme which begins in September each year. The Programme is open to singers and repetiteurs.

All Young Artists benefit from: intensive one-to-one musical and vocal coaching; close links with the six main UK opera companies who monitor their progress; a strong emphasis on ensemble work; regular acting and movement sessions; professional coaches drawn from British and European opera houses; individual coaching in Italian, French and German; sessions on professional resilience; and much more.

Please see the Programme page for more details.

Published: 1st August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Can anyone apply?

Expand

The application process is open to those aged 18 and above. There is no upper age limit for applying to the NOS. However, applicants are reminded that the Programme is intended to benefit extremely gifted singers and repetiteurs who are at the beginning of their careers in opera.

Published: 2nd August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How many places are there?

Expand

We can usually accept a maximum of 12 singers and 4 repetiteurs onto the Global Talent Programme each year.

Published: 3rd August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What repertoire do I need to prepare for the auditions?

Expand

First Round Audition

The following will be required:

  • Video recordings of two pieces, both of which should be opera (not song or oratorio). Ideally, two languages should be represented, and we advise you to choose contrasting pieces, to best demonstrate your vocal, musical and dramatic skills.
      • Each recording must consist of a single take without editing, and your pianist must be in shot. You are allowed to use multiple camera angles if you wish, providing all the footage comes from the same take. Videos of you singing in opera productions will not be accepted. All videos must have been recorded within the last six months. 
      • These videos must be uploaded to YouTube. Please label the videos with the following format: Aria_Composer. Please do not include your name as part of the video title. On your YAP Tracker application, you will be asked to provide links to these videos.

 

Second Round Audition

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to audition live at the Studio, in front of a panel made up of the NOS Artistic Team and representatives from each of our six partner opera companies.

The following will be required: 

  • Four pieces, all of which should be opera (not song or oratorio). At least two languages should be represented, and at least one piece should be in English. Additionally, at least one selection should be from a contemporary opera (post-1980).
      • You may, if you wish, include the same arias that you submitted for your First Round audition.
      • You can expect to sing two of these pieces during your audition. You will be invited to choose the first piece that you sing, and the panel will choose what they would like to hear afterwards.

NOS will provide a highly qualified and experienced accompanist for the Second Round live audition process. You will not be able to bring your own pianist for your live audition, or for any warm-up or practice time. This is for the sake of consistency and to ensure that all applicants can be assessed equally and without prejudice.

Published: 4th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Will I need to pay an audition fee?

Expand

Applications must be made via the YAP Tracker website which will include a fee of £15. Should you be invited to the Second Round live auditions, there will be a further fee of £40, which will cover all aspects of the Second Round audition process. This fee will need to be paid in full in order to confirm your audition place. 

Published: 5th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How do I complete my YAP Tracker application?

Expand

Once you have registered on YAP Tracker, you can log in and view the NOS online application form. You then need to enter all the information you can provide into the form. The form also asks you to upload a headshot.

On the form, we ask you to pay the £15 fee by card. The link to pay will be on the application form, but it is not paid through the YAP tracker website.

When you are sure everything is correct, click submit. After this, you will need to log back in to YAP Tracker regularly, to check whether your referees have submitted their references.

You do not need to pay for a YAP Tracker membership in order to apply to the NOS. Free 'guest' memberships are available on YAP Tracker for those who only wish to have access to the NOS application form. You can use your free 'guest' membership account to apply to the NOS, but you will not have access to listings / opportunities from other companies on YAP Tracker. When you sign up for the free 'guest' membership, you will be given a username and password to use every time you want to look at the status of your NOS application.

If you have problems uploading any part of your application or have other technical issues with YAP Tracker, please contact the YAP Tracker help team on [email protected]. We recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to submit your application before the deadline, just in case you experience technical difficulties. 

Published: 6th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How do I submit references?

Expand

You are required to submit two references by Wednesday 10 January at 11.59pm.

References should be written by music or theatre professionals (for example directors, agents, established singers, accompanists, heads of departments), but not your current singing teacher or any previous singing teachers.

The recommendations must be written specifically for this application and uploaded by your referees directly to the YAP Tracker website. When you submit your application form, the YAP Tracker website will automatically send an email to each referee, asking them to upload a reference directly onto the YAP Tracker website. It is your responsibility to make sure that your referee has received the reference request and knows how to submit a reference. Make sure to remind them in plenty of time. 

References should ideally refer to the following:

  • how the referee knows you and how long they have known you.
  • their opinion on your:
      • stage presence
      • musicality
      • suitability for our programme
      • command of languages
      • reliability
      • learning speed
      • working relationships with colleagues 

Where possible, references should be written in English. However, references in German, French, Italian or Russian will also be accepted.

There is no word limit for references. However, as we receive so many applications, it helps if references are concise and relevant. 

Published: 7th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Where do auditions take place?

Expand

The first round will be by video selection. The second round of auditions take place in the National Opera Studio's Blackburn Hall:


The Clore Building
2 Chapel Yard
Wandsworth High Street.
London SW18 4HZ

Published: 8th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Can I bring my own accompanist?

Expand

NOS will provide a highly qualified and experienced accompanist for all auditions. You will not be able to bring your own pianist for your audition or for your warm-up time. This is for the sake of consistency and to ensure that all applicants can be assessed equally and without prejudice.

There will be no opportunity to rehearse with the audition accompanist. Music will be sent to accompanists in advance, so you don't need to bring any additional music with you.

Published: 9th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Can I bring my teacher, agent, family member or friend?

Expand

Please do not bring anybody with you to your audition. The audition days are very busy and there is no space for anyone to sit and wait for you while you audition. If someone is travelling with you, please ask them to wait in one of the many nice cafés nearby! 

If you have access needs that require you to have another person in the room with you, please let us know in advance by emailing [email protected].

Published: 10th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What do I need to bring with me?

Expand

Music will be sent to accompanists in advance, so you don't need to bring any additional music with you.

Published: 11th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What happens if I am unwell on my audition day?

Expand

You should call 020 8874 8811 or email [email protected] as soon as you feel that you may not be able to attend your audition. The more notice you can give us, the better. We will do our best to talk through options with you, but in some cases there will be nothing we can do and the audition will be treated as a cancellation.

Published: 12th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Will I get feedback from my audition?

Expand

Due to the number of auditions, we regret that we are unable to provide any feedback from the First Round.

Following the Second Round, written feedback will be offered to all unsuccessful Second Round auditionees if requested.

Published: 13th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Is there financial assistance for travelling to and from auditions?

Expand

We regret that we are unable to offer any financial support towards travel to and from auditions. 

Published: 14th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How do applicants from countries outside the UK get a visa to come the audition?

Expand

The National Opera Studio does not handle visa applications. However, if you are applying for a visa to come to an audition in person, we can provide a Letter of Invitation to support your visa application.

This letter will also be provided for EU citizens following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, should this be necessary.

Please email [email protected] if you need a Letter of Invitation. 

Published: 16th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Can I send my CV to NOS?

Expand

Please don’t send additional materials such as CVs to NOS. You will be able to give us all the information we need and upload your headshot in your YAP Tracker application. Additional materials will not be given to the panel.

Published: 17th August, 2023

Updated: 27th September, 2023

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Latest

  • Diverse Voices Focus Week

    Diverse Voices Focus Week

    November 2023

    For the very first time, as part of our Diverse voices initiative, we hosted a Focus Week for singers supported by the programme. Countertenor Joshua Elmore shares his experience.

  • My NOS Story: Josef Ahn

    My NOS Story: Josef Ahn

    Baritone Josef Ahn (2022/23 Young Artist) returns to the Studio to share his story of his time at the Studio and his exciting journey to the Royal Opera House as one of the artists on their Jette Parker Artists Programme.

  • Masterclass with Katarina Karnéus

    Masterclass with Katarina Karnéus

    Friday 12 January 2023, 3pm
    Blackburn Hall, National Opera Studio

    Swedish Mezzo-soprano Katarina Karnéus leads a masterclass for our Young Artists, live at the Studio's Blackburn Hall.

    £5 (Free for students)

  • Wandsworth Wednesday: Free Lunchtime Recital

    Wandsworth Wednesday: Free Lunchtime Recital

    Wednesday 24 January 2024, 1.15pm
    Blackburn Hall, National Opera Studio

    A Wandsworth Wednesday recital live from the Studio's Blackburn Hall featuring the artists on our National Talent Programme.

Most read

  • Applying as a singer

    Applying as a singer

    Explore here for further information about application procedures, audition guidelines and frequently asked questions.

    Applications for our 2024/25 Global Talent Programme now open.

    Deadline Wednesday 3 January 2024

  • 2023/24 Young Artists

    Find out about our Young Artists, with individual biographies, and downloadable media.

  • About the programme

    About the programme

    Find out more about our intensive programme for singers and repetiteurs.

  • Current Vacancies

    Current Vacancies

    Join the National Opera Studio team, and play an integral role in securing the future of opera.

  • 2022/23 Young Artist Programme - Apply now

    2022/23 Young Artist Programme - Apply now

    December 2021

    Applications for singers and repetiteurs to audition for our 2022/23 Young Artists' Programme are now open.

  • Diverse Voices

    Diverse Voices

    The National Opera Studio takes the lead, along with UK opera companies and training organisations, to create partnerships and initiatives that encourage more diversity on our opera stages.

  • Applying as a repetiteur

    Applying as a repetiteur

    Explore here for further information about application procedures, audition guidelines and frequently asked questions.

    Applications for our 2024/25 Global Talent Programme now open.

    Deadline Monday 19 February 2024

  • Emily Gottlieb

    Chief Executive

  • Announcing the 2018/19 National Opera Studio Young Artists

    Announcing the 2018/19 National Opera Studio Young Artists

    We are delighted to announce our 2018/19 Young Artists, who will join the National Opera Studio's intensive nine-month Training Programme from September.

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    The National Opera Studio exists to train talented young musicians to become the leading artists of their generation. We aim to make a significant contribution to the opera ecology and the wider creative and cultural life of the UK through the provision of top-quality professional training, and by our engagement and position in the sector.

Sign up to our mailing list

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

In partnership with:

Supported by:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Tiktok
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions

National Opera Studio – a charitable company limited by guarantee.
Registered in England No. 01332955 | Registered Charity No. 274755

Manage Cookie Preferences