About the programme

Key Info

The National Opera Studio’s Young Artists’ Programme supports singers and pianists with all the musical, artistic, physical, psychological and practical skills they need to survive in a long, successful career in opera.

9-month training programme based at our home in Wandsworth, London.
Partnerships with the six national opera companies offer high-level opportunities, performances, residencies and networks.
Opportunities for auditions with industry professionals available year-round.
Health and well-being are fundamental in everything we teach
Our Sounding Board panel of professional opera singers ensures our work is always relevant and effective.

Funding

Young Artists (YAs) receive free training.
YAs are granted a monthly performance stipend of £850.*
Additional bursary support is provided to assist with basic living and study expenses in London, amounting to up to £770 per month.*
£600 to use for private lessons and auditions.*
An Auditions Travel Fund is available, offering a one-time payment of up to £260 during the Studio year or one year post-programme.*

A year at the National Opera Studio

A standard year at the National Opera Studio runs from September to June and includes:

Regular coaching from over 30 coaches in various disciplines

Including music and vocal training, language, movement, stagecraft, and resilience.
This comprehensive support is carefully tailored to meet the individual needs of each Young Artist.
Our Young Artists also work with our Sounding Board members, Susan Bullock CBE, Gerald Finley OC CBE, Elizabeth Llewellyn MBE, Marie McLaughlin, Brindley Sherratt and Nicky Spence OBE.
To complement our music, stagecraft and language coaching, we also offer our Young Artists sessions in resilience throughout the year. These can include one to one meetings with our Elite Performance Coach, Cliodhna O’Connor, talks about nutrition and vocal health, or advice on websites and personal branding. We are proud to offer these sessions as part of our training programme, as they are crucial to developing the whole artist, and this holistic training sets singers and repetiteurs up both to succeed and thrive.

3-4 orchestral residencies with our partner companies

The Royal Ballet and Opera, English National Opera, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, and Glyndebourne.
These residencies provide an exceptional opportunity to rehearse and perform at the home venues of these leading organisations, allowing Young Artists to gain invaluable experience while benefiting from the mentorship and guidance of each company.

At least 10 performances across London

Each residency culminates in a London performance, accompanied by piano, where industry guests are invited to attend and observe their work.
Young Artists also have the opportunity to meet and perform for supporters of the National Opera Studioat prominent London venues and within the Studio itself.

4 masterclasses

Including one at the Royal Ballet and Opera
Regular ‘Ask Me Anything’ Q&A sessions with guest artists and coaches

Repetiteur residencies

Our Young Artist repetiteurs will have the opportunity to spend a few days with Scottish Opera separate to the group residency. Repetiteurs will have the opportunity to shadow the Head of Music or Music Staff during their work on productions.

Lunchtime recitals

Monthly lunchtime recitals held at the Studio and livestreamed online. Young Artists have the opportunity to collaborate with other Young Artists to curate their own recital programmes, assisted by Senior Staff Coach, Allyson Devenish. Each Young Artist is required to include a piece of contemporary repertoire in their performance.

Filming Days

Roughly every month, we schedule Filming Days. These are opportunities for you to create high-quality digital content that you can use for your audition packages, website, and social media. These sessions are managed by an NOS AV technician and utilize our state-of-the-art multi-camera setup.

A breakdown of the key events taking place throughout the year in the Young Artist Programme at the National Opera Studio, based on our 2024/25 offer and subject to change, running alongside regular coaching, masterclasses, and performances.

Autumn/ Winter

September – December

Expand for more details
Autumn/ Winter

Stagecraft and Language Foundations
- Six-weeks of tailored support in stagecraft and language coaching, focused on enhancing existing skills and identifying areas for improvement.
Young Artist Photoshoot
- Opportunity to collaborate with a professional photographer to capture new headshots for professional portfolios.
Glyndebourne Workshop Day
- Our Young Artists attend a workshop day at Glyndebourne, working on the main stage with Artistic Director Stephen Langridge.
Studio Opera Scenes Performances
- At the end of Term 1, our Young Artists will perform a selection of opera scenes curated by Head Coach Andrew Griffiths, in collaboration with a director overseeing the performance. For the 2024/25 season, these scenes will focus on contemporary opera repertoire and will be directed by Keith Warner.
Winter/ Spring

January – April

Expand for more details
Winter/ Spring

Welsh National Opera Residency
- Young Artists will take part in staged residency performances in conjunction with our partner companies. In the 2024/25 year, our Young Artists will collaborate with Welsh National Opera exploring 18th, 19th and 20th century repertoire on their set for Le nozze di Figaro at the Donald Gordon Theatre. Throughout our residencies, Young Artists can audition for our partner companies.
Scottish Opera Residency
- In the 2024/25 season, our Young Artists will collaborate with Scottish Opera, exploring 18th, 19th, and 20th century repertoire. The residency will take place on the set of The Makropulos Affair at the Theatre Royal Glasgow. Throughout our residencies, Young Artists can audition for our partner companies.
Collaboration with English National Opera Orchestra
- In partnership with English National Opera, our Young Artists will have the opportunity to perform alongside the Orchestra of the English National Opera in a semi-staged performance at a prestigious London venue.
Studio Opera Scenes Performances
- At the end of Term 2, our 2024/25 Young Artists will present a series of opera scenes at the Studio, with a focus on Baroque repertoire.
Agents Day
- Each year, Young Artists have the chance to audition in front of a panel of agents. Industry experts are frequently invited to attend our London performances to observe our Young Artists.
Spring/ Summer

April – June

Expand for more details

Spring/ Summer

Wigmore Hall Lunchtime Recital

Curated by pianist and NOS Artistic Consultant, Dearbhla Collins, and expertly mentored by the world’s leading interpreter of English song, Sir Thomas Allen, our Young Artists will give a lunchtime recital at Wigmore Hall exploring the English song repertoire.

Opera North Residency

Young Artists will participate in staged residency performances in collaboration with our partner companies. In the 2024/25 year, their final residency will be with Opera North, focusing on Benjamin Britten’s chamber operas. Throughout our residencies, Young Artists can audition for our partner companies. Following a performance at the Howard Assembly Rooms during the residency week, the Young Artists will return to London for a final performance at a prominent London venue.
Alums

After NOS

Expand for more details

Alums

After our Young Artists complete their time at the National Opera Studio, we continue to support them as they launch their careers. This ongoing support includes additional coaching (subject to availability), an auditions travel fund that may be accessed if unused during their year at the Studio, and free access to practice rooms and recording equipment. Additionally, we can provide references for applications and promote their news and upcoming performances through our social media channels and newsletter.