Classical Music Institute of San Antonio

OPERA San Antonio - Classical Music Institute Young Artist Program - ¡CANTEMOS ZARZUELA! Musical Gems from Spain and the Americas 

This application closed on Monday February 26, 2024.


The 2024 program will feature zarzuela and Spanish-language repertoire led by the widely acclaimed conductor and pianist Pablo Zinger as music director. Performances will take place at the Mexican Cultural Institute of San Antonio, The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, and the Edgewood Fine Arts Academy. 

The OPERA San Antonio/Classical Music Institute Young Artist Program is an intensive training program focusing on classical solo and chamber vocal music. We offer three different tiers for singers and one for collaborative vocal pianists during our summer festival.

The Studio Artist Program caters to undergraduate and masters-level singers looking to hone their craft with professionals in the field. Participants will have the opportunity to partake in lessons, coachings, rehearsals, and performances in San Antonio. Scholarships are available. (~30 positions)

The Apprentice Artist Program is designed for advanced singers looking for copious performance experience singing for multiple community venues around the San Antonio area. Repertoire will likely be drawn from the 2024-2025 OPERA San Antonio main stage season. Tuition scholarship ($600) and a $1000 stipend are provided. Housing and flight are not covered, local transportation is covered. Finalists are required to audition live and in-person in San Antonio on April 3, 2023. (4 positions)

The Teaching-Artist Fellowship is designed for performers with a strong interest in teaching. Participants will perform chamber music alongside other Teaching-Artists and CMI faculty, teach lessons, and participate in one-on-one professional development opportunities. Tuition scholarship ($600), $1000 stipend, up to $500 in travel reimbursement, and housing/local transportation are provided. (3 positions)

The Vocal Collaborative Piano Fellowship is geared towards up-and-coming vocal pianist-coaches. They will perform both with the Teaching-Artist Fellows and the Apprentice Artists. The artist will also take part in the touring program which visits different locations in San Antonio. A $1000 stipend, up to $500 in travel reimbursement, and housing/local transportation are provided. (1 position)

Applicants may apply for consideration for multiple programs.

Details can be found at https://www.cmi-sa.org/summer-voice-program/

All participants will take part in activites with members of the OSA staff and CMI artist-faculty.

Activities will include:

  • Individual lessons
  • Vocal coachings
  • Master classes
  • Repertoire dependent on enrollment, but may include:
    • Solo songs
    • Chamber music performances
    • Opera Scenes & Arias
  • Diction & Song Literature Coaching
  • Artistic Leadership & Career Seminars
  • Free admission to festival concerts and events
  • Headshots with a professional photographer for an additional fee of $100 for a session producing 4 edited and publishable photos

Application Requirements:

  • Artists of any age are welcome to apply.
  • Headshot
  • Resume
  • Two recent video performances of contrasting repertoire. Live accompaniment preferred. Videos made with pre-recorded audio tracks are also acceptable. Apprentice Artist applicants should submit operatic selections. Selections in Spanish are highly recommended.
  • Repertoire or list of works you have recently studied/performed. Please include arias, ensembles, and musical theater.
  • Voice Teaching-Artist Fellowship applicants need to submit a 1-page maximum statement on their philosophy of teaching (not applicable for pianists.)

Important Dates:

  • February 26, 2024: Application due/review begins
  • March 6, 2024: Applicants for Apprentice Artist and Teaching-Artist Fellowship informed of in-person audition or interview, respectively
    • *Studio Artist applicants not selected for consideration for the Apprentice Artist Program will not need to do a live audition.
  • March 18-22, 2024: Teaching-Artist Fellowship Interviews (virtual)
  • April 3: Apprentice Artist Program Live Auditions in San Antonio
  • April 19, 2024: Program Acceptance Notification
  • May 3, 2024: Tuition & Housing down payments due date
  • May 31, 2024: Full Housing payment due

Please contact Christopher Besch at cbesch@cmi-sa.org with any questions regarding this application. For technical help, please contact help@yaptracker.com.

Personal Information

Contact Information

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Program Selection

Artists will only be considered for the programs they select and there is no fee/penalty for selecting multiple programs

Headshot

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Resume

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Video Recordings

Spanish language pieces are highly encouraged, but not required

Number of selections required: 2.

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Repertoire

The list does not need to be comprehensive, but helps give us an idea of the performers experience and voice type for casting decisions Number of documents required: 1.
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Teaching Philosophy Statement

Provide a statement of teaching philosophy, detailing applicant’s experiences, career aspirations, and goals as a vocal pedagogue Maximum number of documents permitted: 1
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Payment Details

Please note: all application fees are non-refundable.