Houston Grand Opera announces their new training program aimed at undergraduate applicants, the Young Artist Vocal Academy.

With so many opportunities listed on YAP Tracker, it can be difficult to weigh one program against all available options. One YAP Tracker member, Dabney Ross Jones, shares her decision to participate in the Salzburg Voice Festival program this summer.

Why you should consider attending Carnegie Hall's, "The Song Continues..." vocal masterclass sessions with Marilyn Horne, Renee Fleming and Graham Johnson starting January 16, 2012.

Aren't sure whether you need to confirm an audition? Know you need to confirm but aren't sure how? There's an FAQ for that.

Audition season have you tied in knots? Ann Rodiger, Master Alexander Technique Teacher and Director of the Balance Arts Center, shares her tips for performing optimally in the audition room.

Although YAP Tracker was designed as a service for singers, many of our members use it as a research tool for other related jobs in the field of opera. YAP Tracker contains a component where accompanists can list their availability to play for singer auditions and find out about vocal accompanying positions and competitions, and those on the production side have found it to be a great place to discover new organizations for their own career path.

Considering a training program as an option for the coming summer? Programs abound both in the US and abroad with a wide array of features, faculty and potential. How can one discern the good from the bad from the downright ugly? While many opportunities may offer a positive experience overall (where others don't), choosing the one that is right for any one singer at their particular career stage can be the key to a summer (and your dollars) well spent.

Although YAP Tracker is primarily geared to singers and pianists, a number of directors and conductors use the site as well to keep abreast of companies and information. They often will be asked to write recommendations or serve as references using our customized tools. Here is a post from Heidi Lauren Duke, director, choreographer, audition coach, and YAP Tracker member, about recommendations for singers.

Last week, we shared Part I of our conversation with Chuck Hudson, stage director and master teacher, which covered Chuck's coaching philosophy and tips for success in the audition room. In Part II, Chuck shares his thoughts on putting your best foot forward in performance; he also provides tremendous insight into how best to cultivate your network and sustain your relationships with potential future collaborators and employers.

For those who haven't had the opportunity to work with Chuck Hudson, the following interview gives a glimpse of why he is one of the most sought after coaches and directors around; he has an incredible gift in helping both emerging and established professionals bring their physical presentation to life, both in the audition room and in performance.