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NewsletterApplications for our 2025/26 Young Artists’ Programme are closed.
There is no upper age limit for applying to NOS. However, applicants are reminded that the Young Artists’ Programme is very intensive and is intended for singers and repetiteurs who are at the beginning of their professional operatic careers. Although it is not a formal requirement, applicants are expected to have significant performance experience and to have been training, in some form, for a number of years.
For further information about our Young Artists’ Programme, including key application 2025/26 dates and details about our audition process for both singers and repetiteurs, explore the information below.
‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQs) about auditions and applications are available here.
Applying as a singer
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Key Dates
Applications open:
18 October 2024
Applications close:
24 November 2024 at 11:59pm
Deadline for references:
1 December 2024
First round results:
Week Commencing 16 December 2024 (sent via email)
Second round auditions:
25 – 27 January 2025
Working Sessions
5 & 6 February 2025
Some singers may be invited to a working session on 5 & 6 February. All applicants should be prepared to attend. These sessions are not indicative of getting a place.
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First Round Audition
Applications must be made via the application form on our website which will include a fee of £10.
The following will be required:
- Recordings of two audition pieces, both of which should be opera (not a song or oratorio). Ideally, two languages should be represented, and we advise you to choose contrasting pieces, so as 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.
- Each submission doesn’t need to be recorded within the same recording session.
- These videos must be uploaded to YouTube. Please label the videos with the following format: Aria_Opera_Composer. Please do not include your name as part of the video title. On your application form, you will be asked to provide a link to these videos.
- The recordings must not have any audio editing (including but not limited to reverb, equalisation or auto-tuning).
- We do not stipulate any minimum requirements for the quality of the video recording, however, the panel must be able to see and hear you clearly.
- Two references by industry professionals. The recommendations must be written specifically for the application and uploaded by the referees directly to the application form. References should be written by music or theatre professionals (for example directors, agents, established singers, accompanists, heads of departments), but not your current teacher or any previous teachers.
- A recent photograph
- A short application form completed on our website.
- A completed Equal Opportunities questionnaire completed on the application form. This information will not be made available to the audition panel, but will help NOS to monitor and be accountable for its equal opportunities and diversity objectives.
Results of the first round audition will be sent via email week commencing 16 December.
We would like to reassure every applicant that both videos will be viewed at least once in their entirety and that both videos will be referenced by at least two members of the audition panel in considering their application.
Watch the short video below for some advice on repertoire from our Head Coach.
- Recordings of two audition pieces, both of which should be opera (not a song or oratorio). Ideally, two languages should be represented, and we advise you to choose contrasting pieces, so as to best demonstrate your vocal, musical, and dramatic skills.
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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: English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Opera North, the Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera. The panel will consist of a minimum of nine people.
The following will be required:
- Four audition pieces, all of which should be opera (not songs or oratorio). At least two languages should be represented, with at least one in English. Additionally, at least one selection should be from a contemporary opera (post-1980) or from a musical theatre piece.
- You may, if you wish, bring the same arias that you submitted for your First Round audition. Most of the Second Round audition panel will not have viewed your First Round audition.
- A short interview following the audition.
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 serve all applicants to the best of our ability, equally and without prejudice. Music will be sent to accompanists in advance so you don’t need to bring any additional music with you.
Watch the short video below about what to expect at the live audition.
Throughout our audition process, we aim to provide every applicant with the opportunity to present their best performance to the audition panel. Over the past few years, we have offered the option for applicants to audition over Zoom. However, we have encountered technical issues and sound quality problems that have prevented applicants from accurately showcasing their voices to the panel. With this in mind, we will not be offering Zoom auditions for our 2025/26 auditions. We understand that travelling to London for a live audition may not always be feasible for some applicants. If you are unable to attend the live auditions, please email [email protected], and we will be happy to discuss alternative audition options with you. It’s important to note that even if you cannot come to London for the main auditions, you may still receive an invitation for a working session if the panel deems it beneficial. Invitations to working sessions are always considered on a case-by-case basis and arranged in discussion with the applicant. We would like to encourage all applicants to attend an in-person audition wherever possible.
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Cancellation and rescheduling
First Round Application
There will be no refund of the £10 application fee after a submitted application has been made on our application form.
Second Round Auditions
If you need to reschedule your audition time, please email [email protected]. If it is possible to accommodate your request, we will do so. If it is impossible for us to reschedule your audition, you must either keep your original time or cancel.
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Funding and living in London
Thanks to support from Arts Council England, our six partner companies, various trusts and foundations, and private philanthropy:
- All training is completely free to YAs
- YAs will receive a monthly performance stipend (currently £850/month)
- Additional bursary support is available (currently up to a further £770/month)
- We have additional funds available for singing lesson and auditions
We regret that we are unable to offer financial support for travelling to and from NOS auditions.
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Eligibility
If you do not hold a valid UK passport, you should be aware that the Home Office/UK Border Agency has rigorous conditions that need to be met before the necessary visa will be issued. Without this, you will not be able to come to the National Opera Studio.
If you are offered a place on the Young Artists’ Programme and you do not hold a UK passport or valid visa which extends to the end of your time at the National Opera Studio, then your place will be a conditional offer. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain a visa. Tier 4 Student visas are not valid unless they are converted to graduate or another type of eligible visa.
National Opera Studio Young Artist conditional offer-holders are currently eligible to apply for a Tier 1 Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise/ Emerging Leader/ Potential Leader).
Please note, this is a two stage process. The first stage will require an endorsement from Arts Council England. The second will be the Visa application process. Applying for the visa takes 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK.
You must be able to demonstrate that you have a ‘developing’ record of work in at least 2 countries, one of which can be your country of residence.
It is vital that all applicants accepted onto our Young Artists’ Programme have a good command of the English language. We reserve the right to request proof of your proficiency in English and, if necessary, ask you to sit a test.
Applying as a repetiteur
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Application
Applications must be made by completing an application form accessible from 18 October.
As part of your application, you will be required to pay an audition fee of £10. Once we have received your application form, we will contact you with instructions on how to pay the fee.
Your application will only be accepted after you have submitted the application form and paid your application fee. Following receipt of your audition fee, you will be allocated a first-round audition.
The following will be required:
- Two references by industry professionals (details included on the application form). References should be written by music or theatre professionals (for example directors, agents, established singers, accompanists, heads of departments), but not your current teacher or any previous teachers.
- A recent photograph
- A completed Equal Opportunities questionnaire. This information will not be made available to the audition panel, but will help NOS to monitor and be accountable for its equal opportunities and diversity objectives.
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First Round Auditions
All repetiteurs who apply to the National Opera Studio are given an in person first-round audition. These will happen in person at the National Opera Studio in London. If an applicant is unable to attend auditions in person, please email [email protected] to discuss alternative options.
You should expect your first-round auditions to last approximately 30 mins.
The following will be required:
- Two scenes from contrasting operas
- Both scenes should involve at least two characters
- You will be asked to play whilst singing in the vocal lines
- Two scenes from contrasting operas
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Second Round Auditions
Second round auditions will happen the day after the first round auditions. These will also be in person at the National Opera Studio in London.
You should expect second round auditions to last approximately 60 mins.
The following will be required:
- Two scenes from contrasting operas. These pieces can be same as the ones performed in the first round.
- Both scenes should involve at least two characters.
- You will be asked to play whilst singing in the vocal lines.
- A compulsory set piece which will be sent to all candidates a week before the second round audition
- Everyone should learn this set piece, and will be expected to play it should they be invited to attend a second round audition.
- A piece of sightreading
- An interview with the panel
- Two scenes from contrasting operas. These pieces can be same as the ones performed in the first round.
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Cancellation and rescheduling
If you need to reschedule your audition time, please email [email protected]. If it is possible to accommodate your request, we will do so. If it is impossible for us to reschedule your audition, you must either keep your original time or cancel.
There will be no refund of the £10 application fee after a submitted application has been made on our application form.
-
Funding and living in London
Thanks to support from Arts Council England, our six partner companies, various trusts and foundations, and private philanthropy:
- All training is completely free to YAs
- YAs will receive a monthly performance stipend (currently £850/month)
- Additional bursary support is available (currently up to a further £770/month)
- We have additional funds available for singing lesson and auditions
We regret that we are unable to offer financial support for travelling to and from NOS auditions.
-
Eligibility
If you do not hold a valid UK passport, you should be aware that the Home Office/UK Border Agency has rigorous conditions that need to be met before the necessary visa will be issued. Without this, you will not be able to come to the National Opera Studio.
If you are offered a place on the Young Artists’ Programme and you do not hold a UK passport or valid visa which extends to the end of your time at the National Opera Studio, then your place will be a conditional offer. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain a visa. Tier 4 Student visas are not valid unless they are converted to graduate or another type of eligible visa.
National Opera Studio Young Artist conditional offer-holders are currently eligible to apply for a Tier 1 Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise/ Emerging Leader/ Potential Leader).
Please note, this is a two stage process. The first stage will require an endorsement from Arts Council England. The second will be the Visa application process. Applying for the visa takes 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK.
You must be able to demonstrate that you have a ‘developing’ record of work in at least 2 countries, one of which can be your country of residence.
Click here for an overview on the Global Talent visa
Find out more about the Global Talent visa for music
It is vital that all applicants accepted onto our Young Artists’ Programme have a good command of the English language. We reserve the right to request proof of your proficiency in English and, if necessary, ask you to sit a test.
