The Academy of Vocal Arts (Philadelphia) Resident Artist Auditions - Tuition-Free Artist Diploma with Paid Monthly Fellowship (2027-28)

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Please do not submit your application until ALL recommendation forms have been submitted by your recommenders.

The Academy of Vocal Arts - Tuition-Free Opera Training Program (4-year Artist Diploma)

This online application serves as a first-round audition to potentially receive an in-person audition/interview in Philadelphia on March 4–6, 2027 (Thursday–Saturday). Please note that virtual or video auditions cannot substitute for the second round of in-person auditions. All singers must travel to Philadelphia for the in-person audition, without exception.

For the online application applicants must submit all the required materials, inluding videos of three (3) arias, preferable in three different languages with varing composers/time periods. AVA typically produces standard-canon operas in Italian, French, German, English and Russian.

All applicants will be notified by the end of the business day on Friday, January 15, 2027, whether they have been invited to an in-person audition. At that time, we recommend making your travel arrangements to Philadelphia as soon as possible. AVA will assign all audition dates/times; trading or swapping will not be permitted.

If you pass the first round of in-person auditions on either Thursday or Friday (March 4 or 5), you may be asked to return on Saturday (March 6) for a second audition hearing with the AVA Faculty. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you do not schedule your return flight before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6.

All travel costs are the responsibility of the applicant. AVA does not cover travel expenses.

AVA will provide a no-cost audition pianist, typically one of our highly experienced faculty coaches. You will not have an opportunity to rehearse with the pianist in advance; however, you are welcome to bring your own pianist if you prefer.

If using the AVA pianist, you must bring clean, clear copies of your arias for the pianist. Music should be printed double-sided, secured in a binder, with all cuts clearly marked.

Please note, AVA does not provide trial voice lessons or coachings prior to auditions.

The live audition in Philadelphia will follow a standard audition format, with the applicant selecting their first aria. You will be required to submit in advance a repertoire list of four additional arias, representing a variety of languages, composers, and musical periods. These may be the same arias presented in your video audition.

AVA typically produces standard-canon operas in Italian, French, German, English, and Russian. Prior to your audition, you will be asked to submit your repertoire sheet and an updated ONE-page résumé. Here is a link to an example of the required repertoire sheet and 1-page resume.

Unfortunately, AVA is unable to provide written feedback on individual applications or auditions.

Please contact Dr. Josh Miller, AVA Dean at jmiller@avaopera.org with any questions regarding this application. For technical help, please contact help@yaptracker.com.

Personal Information

First Name*

Last Name*

Please select your voice type.*

Preferred Pronouns*

Maximum number of selections permitted: 3

She/Her/Hers

They/Them/Theirs

He/Him/His

Prefer not to say

Other (if you wish, specify below)

Please write your preferred pronouns here, if not listed above.

Contact Information

E-mail address*

Current City of Residence*

Phone Number*

No spaces, dashes etc. phone number fields

Copy/Pic of Photo ID or Passport*

The item must show your date of birth. Number of documents required: 1.

You must be signed in to add your resume.

Video Uploads

Please upload VIDEOS of three contrasting arias.*

Varying languages and styles are encouraged, arias from operas are preferred. Please do NOT submit your arias combined into one video file. Three separate files are required. Number of selections required: 3.

You must be signed in to add videos.

Headshot

Date of Birth *

AVA primarily only accepts singers from 22-29 years old.
Please list in MM/DD/YYYY Format.

Please include a recent headshot or photo. *

You must be signed in to add your headshot.

Resume

Please include a resume*

You must be signed in to add your resume.

University, Conservatory and Other Training Programs*

School

Major

Degree

Year

School

Major

Degree

Year

School

Major

Degree

Year

School

Major

Degree

Year

School

Major

Degree

Year

Academic Transcripts*

Please attach unofficial copies of current/unfinished and/or completed academic transcripts from all degree-granting institutions listed above. Minimum number of documents permitted: 1. Maximum number of documents permitted: 5

You must be signed in to add your resume.

TOEFL or IELTS Scores

For all applicants who consider English to be their second language, or that have not studied at an American college or university for less than four years. TOEFL scores must be between 90-100 or an IELTS score greater than 6.5 are required to apply.

References*

You will provide references from two musical authorities in the opera field, e.g., voice teacher, coach, conductor, director, with whom you have worked regularly. Spouse, relatives, and artistic representatives may not serve as musical authority references. We are truly interested in hearing from individuals who know you, and your work, very well. We are not looking to be impressed by “who” you know. Please do not use any current AVA faculty or staff as references,

Please provide each reference with this online recommendation form by clicking Add Recommender below. Click here for the FAQ for how the online recommendation process works. If you need instructions on how to resend a recommendation request, click here.

Some companies choose to only allow the online submission option. That is the case with this programme: you will not be able to upload a pre-written letter. The referee MUST use the online form to submit their recommendation. Please do not submit your application until ALL recommendation forms have been submitted by your recommenders.

Number required: 2. Allowed method(s): Online.

You must be signed in to add recommendations.

Important note: Please do not submit your application until all letters of recommendation have been submitted by your recommenders. The company does not wish to view applications until the letters of recommendation are completed.

Certification of application completeness*

Please review your application and confirm that the letters of recommendation are marked "submitted" by your recommenders. Your application will not be considered unless that is accurate at the time of submission. Number of selections required: 1.

Yes I confirm both recommendations are marked submitted before the application is submitted.

The Academy of Vocal Art is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarships, fellowships and other Academy-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.

I identify my ethnicity as:*

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin

Black or African American

White/ Caucasian

Asian

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

Indigenous Peoples, First Nations, Native American or Alaska Native

Middle Eastern or North African

Some other race, ethnicity or origin

I prefer not to answer

I identify my gender as:*

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Other

I prefer not to answer

You should only hit ‘submit application’ if both of your references are marked submitted. The company will not review incomplete applications and your application will be rejected. Please double-check and follow up with your recommenders before hitting save and submit.