Tyler Young Artist Program

Opera on the James’ nationally recognized and much in-demand Tyler Young Artist Program comprises two, five-week residencies each year in fall and spring.  Typically, four  singers are chosen for each residency from hundreds of applicants for their high level of vocal, musical and theatrical skills.

Members of our Young Artist Program (YAP), are ambassadors for opera as an accessible art form that celebrates the power and primacy of the human voice, and the magical communication between performer and audience that arises when music, story, commitment, and talent combine. 

Each year, spring and fall ensembles of emerging young singers deliver the bulk of our community outreach programs. Chosen through annual national auditions, each troupe performs in diverse venues, from inner-city schools to rural libraries, museums, historic stages, senior communities and beyond. 

The young artists are also cast in our fall and spring operas, and receive professional training while they are in residence with us. These professional opera artists–most with a Masters Degree in Opera/Vocal Performance or the equivalent–bring energy, charisma, and the skills and talents honed from their study in excellent graduate programs and performing experience in major market and regional opera companies throughout the U.S. Well-respected Master Coach and Program Director Thomas Getty travels from the NYC area twice each year, to coach the young artists and accompany their performances.

Fall 2024, Tyler Young Artists:

View OOTJ's most recent Young Artists:

BEING A TYLER YOUNG ARTIST

From September 20 to October 20 the fall artists will perform in a one-act touring opera production for youth and families, to be performed in schools and other venues in Lynchburg VA and surrounding communities; there will also be opportunities as guest artists for workshop/lecture/concert presentations to older students in high school and college choral and voice performance programs, as well as diverse community concerts and Random Acts of Culture (Opera Pop-up performances).

We are pleased to provide the Tyler Young Artists:

  • $600 weekly

  • Host housing with private bath

  • A one-time travel stipend of $250 total

  • Coachings on both Opera on the James and artist’s other repertoire

  • Masterclasses and career meetings with Opera on the James staff and visiting artists

  • Informal language sessions with Italian, French and German native speakers as requested by artist.

YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AND BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES.