The Academy of Vocal Arts (Philadelphia) - Resident Artist 4-Year Tuition-Free Training Program/ Artists Diploma (2025-26)

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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 - Resident Artist 4-Year Tuition-Free Training Program.

This online application serves as a first-round audition to potentially receive an in-person audition/interview in Philadelphia on March 6-8, 2025 (Thursday through Saturday). Call backs will be held on Saturday afternoon. No virtual or video auditions can stand in lieu of the second round of in-person auditions. All singers must come to Philadelphia to 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 Monday, February 3, 2025 if they have received an in-person audition. At that point, we suggest that you make your travel arrangements to Philadelphia for your required in-person auditions. Applicants living within 4 hours from Philadelphia will be scheduled for an audition time on Thursday, those living further away will be scheduled for Friday. No audition trading/swapping will be permitted.

If you pass the first round of in-person auditions, you may be asked to return on Saturday, March 8th for a second audition hearing with the AVA Faculty. For this reason, we suggest that you not schedule your return flight until after 7pm on Saturday evening.

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

AVA will provide a no-cost audition pianist, this is typically one of our highly experienced faculty coaches. You will not have the opportunity to rehearse with the pianist in advance, but you are permitted to bring your own pianist if you choose. You must bring with you clean/clear copies of your arias for the pianist. 2-sided copies, secured in a binder with all cuts clearly marked.

Live auditions in Philadelphia will be a standard audition, with the applicant selecting their first aria. The applicant should come prepared with a repertoire list of 4 additional arias in varying languages with varing composers/ time periods. AVA typically produces standard-canon operas in Italian, French, German, English and Russian. You will be asked to submit, in advance of your audition, your repertoire sheet and an updated resume.

Unfortunately, AVA cannot provide written feedback for any applications/auditions.

Please contact Dr. Josh Miller 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*

Address line 1*

Address line 2

City*

State/Province*

Please use the standard two letter state abbreviation, where applicable.

Zip/Post Code*

Country*

Phone Number*

No spaces, dashes etc. phone number fields

Date of Birth *

AVA primarily only accepts singers from 22-28 years old.

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

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*

Education 1

Education 2

Education 3

Education 4

Education 5

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.