Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point 2025: apply now!
Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point is an intensive eight-week summer training and performance program for young singers selected from competitive national auditions. OIO has a venerable, continuous history of training young artists since 1950. For the 75th anniversary season, we open the long-awaited new Inspiration Point Opera Theater with a festive gala on May 31 featuring world-renowned alumni artists and the 2025 Company. Our festival season of seven performances each of Carmen, The Merry Widow, and Into the Woods follows June 27 to July 25.
Opera in the Ozarks offers young artists the scope and depth of total immersion in preparing multiple performances of operas in the original language with orchestra. We select only 45 promising young vocalists, so with seven or eight performances of each opera and roles only double cast, all are assured of great opportunities for growth in and out of the spotlight. Numerous performances of the Studio Artist outreach opera for children will be presented in venues throughout Northwest Arkansas.
Alumni of Opera in the Ozarks have sung in the major opera houses of the world; many others teach at prestigious colleges and universities. Artists are trained, conducted, coached and encouraged by a supportive, professional staff. Included is all training, coaching, workshops, and nurturing required to present opera in full productions—scenery, lights, costumes, wigs — accompanied by a professional orchestra.
In addition to extensive performance opportunities, OIO artists benefit from:
- Daily classes alternating stage skills and movement/dance
- Offerings in related skills: stage combat, master classes and career development sessions, taught by resident, guest and OIO alumni artists
- Resident voice teachers offer weekly lessons, classes and attend rehearsals leading up to openings to offer their insights to assure artists’ best performances.
- Experienced and supportive vocal coaches, directors and conductors guide you to bring your best to the stage
- In July, daily musical theatre workshop leads to two popular Broadway Cabaret evenings
- Emerging Artists will be featured in principal and supporting roles in two productions. Lesser experienced Studio Artists are featured in their own traveling children’s opera production. All artists support their colleagues in the chorus.
New for 2025: four scholarship awards, up to full tuition, will be reserved for artists applying and auditioning by video in your YAP Tracker application before December 15. Also, artists seeking early decision admission and scholarship aid will also be considered. Those selected for these awards and ealy admission will be notified by December 23 and will commit to joining the OIO 2025 Company by January 8. Those not selected for early decision will be considered for regular admission and financial aid in February.
Early decision, audition online deadline Dec 15
Final online submission deadline: Jan 31
Live auditions:
Ann Arbor Jan 9 (deadline Jan 6)
Cincinnati Jan 10 (deadline Jan 7)
Chicago Jan 12 (deadline Jan 9)
Norman Jan 17 (deadline Jan 14)
Fort Worth Jan 18 (deadline Jan 15)
Houston Jan 19 (deadline Jan 16)
Kansas City Jan 20 (deadline Jan 17)
Baltimore Jan 23 (deadline Jan 20)
New York City Jan 25 (deadline Jan 22)
Boston Jan 26 (deadline Jan 23)
Tucson Feb 1 (deadline Jan 29)
YES, it is possible to apply after the printed deadline.
See https://opera.org/artist-audition-information about how to do so.
What materials are required to be submitted?
- YAP Tracker application
- Resume and headshot
- Scholarship application if applying for aid (PDF upload)
- Video "interview" questions upload
- Three vocal selections for virtual audition (see below)
- $30 application fee for virtual audition
- $40 application for live audition (pianist provided)
Audition requirements
Three selections: one in English, one in Italian and a third of the artist's choice. One may be an art song or musical theatre selection. Applicants will upload a short cell-phone video in which they answer a few questions about their goals and aspirations.
