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NewsletterOur 9-month Young Artist Programme is one of the most respected opera training opportunities for singers in the world. Each year, we select 12 exceptional singers to join this intensive, full-time programme based at our home in London. The programme is paid and designed to bridge the gap between conservatoire training and a sustainable career in opera. Young Artists receive world-class training across every aspect of operatic life, equipping them with the musical, artistic, physical, psychological, and professional tools needed for long-term success in the industry.
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Tailored Training & Coaching
Tailored Training & Coaching
Our Young Artist Programme is the most coaching intensive programme out there. At the start of the programme, Young Artists work closely with our core coaching team to assess their strengths and identify areas for growth. Introductory classes in languages and stagecraft help build a solid foundation for the year ahead.
Coaching is then personalised to meet each singer’s vocal and artistic needs. As the year progresses, additional specialist coaches are introduced to support upcoming performances and ongoing development.
Over the 9 months, singers receive regular individual coaching sessions with over 30 expert coaches covering:
- Vocal coaching
- Music and repertoire
- Language and diction
- Movement and stagecraft
- Performance resilience and wellbeing
This tailored approach ensures each Young Artist receives focused, practical support designed to develop the skills and confidence essential for a professional opera career.
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Residencies & Opera Scenes
Residencies & Opera Scenes
Each Young Artist participates in multiple opera scenes projects throughout the year, including residencies with:
- Welsh National Opera
- Opera North
- Scottish Opera
Our partnership with these leading UK opera companies is truly unique. The National Opera Studio offers tailored scenes projects instead of full operas, allowing every singer to perform roles that perfectly suit their strengths. These scenes are carefully curated by the Studio’s artistic team to ensure all singers are showcased fully to audiences and partner companies.
Most residency performances are accompanied by the orchestra of the partner company. When scenes return to London, they are accompanied by our Young Artist repetiteurs, with one special performance accompanied by the English National Opera Orchestra.
Each opera scenes performance is directed by a guest director, offering Young Artists the chance to work with a range of creative voices and approaches. Previous directors have included Adele Thomas, Keith Warner, Lucy Bradley, Laura Attridge, and others.
The repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary opera, providing a breadth of experience that sets our programme apart.
Our Young Artists also attend a workshop day at Glyndebourne, working on the main stage with Artistic Director Stephen Langridge.
Watch an insight into our residency at Scottish Opera below.
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Auditions & Industry Exposure
Auditions & Industry Exposure
Auditions are a fundamental part of an operatic career, and we ensure our Young Artists are fully prepared for this aspect of the industry. Throughout the year, singers take part in audition workshops and receive regular feedback to help refine their audition repertoire, presentation, and communication.
Casting directors are invited into the Studio to speak directly with Young Artists, offering valuable insight into current industry expectations. All singers will audition for several of our partner companies, either during residencies or on dedicated audition days organised by the Studio.
At the end of the programme, we host a dedicated Agents Day, where agents, casting directors, and representatives from major UK companies are invited to hear each Young Artist perform.
Masterclasses
Singers participate in a series of masterclasses with leading artists throughout the year, included one at the Royal Ballet and Opera. These are carefully assigned to support each Young Artist’s individual development. Recent masterclasses have featured internationally renowned tenor Stuart Skelton, Freddie De Tommaso, Dame Sarah Connolly and Ryan Speedo Green.
Lunchtime Recitals
Each singer presents at least one recital during the year, performed live at the Studio and livestreamed to a wider online audience. These recitals are devised by the Young Artists themselves, with support and guidance from Senior Staff Coach Allyson Devenish, and must include at least one piece of contemporary repertoire.
Many singers choose to curate their recital around a personal theme, such as love, nature, or cultural identity, drawing on their own backgrounds and artistic interests. Singers collaborate closely with Young Artist repetiteurs and fellow singers to create original, thoughtful programmes that reflect who they are as artists.
Filming Days & Digital Development
Digital content is a vital part of a modern singer’s professional toolkit. Around once a month, our Filming Days offer Young Artists the opportunity to create high-quality video content using our state-of-the-art, multi-camera studio, supported by our in-house AV technician.
Singers also receive guidance on adapting their performance for camera and on setting up their own recording equipment when working without a videographer, ensuring they can produce effective material independently when needed.
In addition to filming, the programme offers comprehensive digital training. Each term, Young Artists receive one-to-one sessions and talks focused on developing a strong digital presence. These sessions cover website and CV development, social media strategy and best practice, as well as personal branding and PR support.
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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Key Dates
Applications open:
1 September 2025
Applications close:
15 October 2025 at 11:59pm
Deadline for references:
22 October 2025
First round results:
13 November 2025 (sent via email)
Second round auditions:
11-13 December 2025
Working Sessions
Week Commencing 15 December 2025
Some singers may be invited to a working sessions on W/C 15 December. 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 calendar year.
- 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. Once you have submitted your application form, NOS will contact your references directly using the contact details provided on the 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 on or before 13 November.
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. Videos will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, which may be before the application deadline.
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, Royal Ballet and Opera, 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 2026/27 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 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.
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.