Young Artist Program
Since 1978 OONY’s Young Artists Program has identified, trained and showcased young singers, assisting their professional development and advancing their careers as performing artists. It is the only program in the New York metropolitan area which provides young singers with an opportunity to rehearse and perform with full orchestra and chorus. The YAP program has nurtured the talents of Renée Fleming, Vivica Genaux, Deborah Voigt, Eglise Gutierrez and many others. Other singers who have worked with OONY very early in their careers include José Carreras, Barbara Hendricks, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Jennifer Larmore, Richard Leech, Dwayne Croft, Samuel Ramey, and James Morris. In addition, Gabriela Benacková, Ghena Dimitrova, Jane Eaglen, Carlo Guelfi, Vesselina Kasarova, Rosalind Plowright, and Krassimira Stoyanova all made their American or New York debuts with OONY.
Participants are selected by being asked to audition, after their materials are evaluated by our Musical Administrator. We only invite a small number to audition--only those candidates for whom a role in the current season is available. Participants sing small roles in Carnegie Hall and understudy the principal roles. Since there are times when these understudies are called upon to perform a major role in Carnegie Hall if another singer is indisposed, participants must have a fair amount of professional performing experience, usually with regional opera companies. For that reason, we almost never invite singers who are just completing their schooling.
Singers in the Program are paid fees for their work. They are usually under contract for about 2 weeks prior to the date of the Carnegie Hall performance, but there is often additional, earlier coaching with Maestro Queler before the official rehearsal period.