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NewsletterPaid professional training for emerging repetiteurs preparing for work in opera. This 9-month long training programme supports repetiteurs with advanced coaching, collaborative practice, and real-world experience. Each year, we offer intensive, high-quality training to four exceptional repetiteurs as part of our Young Artist Programme based at our home in London. Our aim is to prepare them for the full spectrum of a modern repetiteur’s career, whether on stage, in the pit, or in the rehearsal room.
The programme focuses on building a comprehensive and practical skillset, equipping repetiteurs to meet the varied musical, technical, and collaborative challenges they will encounter professionally.
At the beginning of the year, each Young Artist’s existing repertoire and experience are carefully assessed to identify areas for development. From this, we design a tailored training structure that ensures broad and balanced exposure to operatic repertoire spanning different styles and periods. Throughout the year, Young Artists work with a diverse range of music, with particular emphasis on filling any gaps in their knowledge and practical experience.
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Orchestral Reductions
Orchestral Reductions
Repetiteurs receive in-depth training in playing from vocal scores and orchestral reductions with clarity, imagination, and precision. You’ll be encouraged to develop pianistic techniques that suggest orchestral colour and character, supporting singers while conveying the full musical intent of the score. A key part of this work focuses on recitative, exploring stylistic differences across composers and periods, from Baroque to contemporary, and learning how to adapt your playing to reflect both historical context and the artistic preferences of different conductors.
Equally important is the development of practical musicianship: working flexibly with conductors, responding to their physical and musical cues, and adjusting instinctively to the needs of singers in both rehearsal and coaching settings.
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Singing & Coaching
Singing & Coaching
Our Young Artist Programme is the most coaching intensive programme out there. A core focus of the repetiteur training is developing the ability to sing and play simultaneously, an essential skill for supporting both rehearsals and coaching sessions. Through ongoing practice and tailored feedback, Young Artist repetiteurs build confidence in vocal delivery while maintaining pianistic fluency, learning to support singers musically and technically in real time.
Alongside this, repetiteurs are introduced to the core principles of vocal coaching, including how to structure effective sessions, manage time, and offer clear, balanced input. Just as importantly, the programme supports the development of strong interpersonal skills, fostering collaborative, respectful communication and a clear understanding of the coach’s responsibilities within a professional rehearsal environment.
Repetiteurs are immersed in the Studio’s coaching life every day, playing for singers’ sessions and receiving individual coaching themselves. At the start of the year, they take part in the same group classes as the singers in languages and stagecraft, laying the foundation for their wider artistic development.
As the year progresses, coaching is tailored to each artist’s needs and shaped around upcoming projects. Over the nine months, repetiteurs work with more than 30 expert coaches across areas including vocal technique, music and repertoire, languages, movement and stagecraft, and performance resilience. Additional training specifically for repetiteurs covers topics such as continuo playing, conducting and prompting.
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Conducting & Leadership
Conducting & Leadership
Young Artist repetiteurs receive dedicated training in conducting both from the piano and on the podium. You’ll develop practical skills in a range of settings where musical leadership is required, including working with small ensembles, leading music calls, prompting from the side of the stage, and backstage conducting. This part of the programme focuses on building clarity in gesture, confident physical presence, and the ability to give musical information efficiently and supportively. Through this work, you’ll begin to make the shift from musical support to musical leadership, gaining the tools, awareness, and confidence to take initiative within a rehearsal room or performance environment.
Young Artist Story: Elli Welsh
Our alums can be found on the stages and music staff of all the great houses and major opera companies in the UK. We caught up with 2021/22 NOS repetiteur Elli Welsh at The Royal Ballet in her role as Associate Pianist for their 2023/2024 season.
Practical Experience
Coaching & Rehearsals
Repetiteurs on the Young Artist Programme are both in training and actively involved in the daily running of the Studio. They are embedded in all musical activity: playing for singers’ coaching sessions, receiving individual coaching, and working across rehearsals and performances.
For each opera scenes project, repetiteurs are assigned several scenes and also cover another repetiteur’s scenes. This ensures they are always working across a range of repertoire and collaborating with different singers and directors throughout the year.
They take part in all music calls and production rehearsals, where they gain practical experience in:
- Playing for staging and musical rehearsals
- Singing in parts
- Supporting the development of a production from early rehearsals through to performance
- Assisting guest conductors by taking orchestral notes.
This gives repetiteurs regular exposure to rehearsal room dynamics and the realities of preparing a new production.
Outside of productions, repetiteurs also play for filming days, lunchtime recitals, auditions, and participate in individual and group coaching, developing key skills in areas such as continuo, conducting, and vocal coaching.
The programme is structured to ensure repetiteurs gain the full range of skills needed to work professionally across rehearsal rooms, auditions, and performances.
Repetiteur Residency
Each Young Artist repetiteur undertakes an individual residency with Scottish Opera, separate from the group residency. These residencies provide the opportunity to shadow the Head of Music or members of the Music Staff, observing rehearsals and gaining valuable insight into the practical realities of operatic music preparation. This experience is designed to deepen practical skills and enhance professional awareness within a leading opera company environment.
“I’m leaving Scottish Opera enthused and inspired with a clearer idea of the workings of a major company.”
Jacob Swindells, 2023/24 alum
Read more about Johanna Kvam and Jacob Swindells’ time on their residencies.
Audition Training
The year includes regular audition preparation, covering both the standard excerpts frequently required in repetiteur auditions and the core arias repetiteurs are expected to play for singers’ auditions.
Freelance Skills Development
Young Artists also gain insight into the broader responsibilities of music staff and are supported in developing the professional habits and mindset needed for a sustainable freelance career.
How to Apply
There is no upper age limit for applying to NOS. However, applicants are reminded that the Young Artist 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 Artist Programme, including key application 2026/27 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 below.
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Application
Applications must be made by completing an application form accessible from 1 September.
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.
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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 Artist 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 Artist 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.