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Young Artist Program
Discovering and nurturing Australian talent.
Young artists help shape the future of opera. At Opera Australia, we are committed to developing new generations of Australian talent. Emerging artists are integral to our mission to present great opera for the 21st century through a uniquely Australian lens.
A flagship program is the Opera Australia Young Artist Program.
From 2025, four singers, one director and one répétiteur will participate in exceptional career development opportunities both on and off stage.
The Opera Australia Young Artist Program offers professional training in the heart of Australia’s national opera company, allowing emerging artists to draw on the expertise of Opera Australia’s vast community of artists, répétiteurs, directors, vocal coaches, technicians and specialists.
"If you want to work in Australia as a professional opera singer the OA YAP is the best way to get the training that you need. For me it provided some incredible opportunities both on and off stage to learn with some really fantastic coaches as well as to be able to perform. It’s only when you’re working for a professional company that you experience what it means to be performing on stage."
From Francis (Head of Young Artists) and Jane (Young Artist Producer)
Welcome to the new Opera Australia Young Artist Program.
Generously supported by Principal Patron, Maureen Wheeler AO, Opera Australia’s new Young Artist Program redefines the way we discover and nurture emerging talent.
The OAYAP is not just a training program; it’s an investment in the next generation of operatic talent. We’re offering an 18-month, full-time experience that provides emerging artists with the skills, opportunities, and support needed to launch successful global careers.
What makes the program so exciting is the combination of rigorous training, practical experience, and the chance to work alongside some of the best in the business. Our Young Artists receive vocal and dramatic coaching, language classes, and career guidance. They have opportunities to assist directors and study roles all the while earning a full-time salary that allows full dedication to the opera craft.
We’re looking for diverse voices and perspectives from across Australia — singers, directors, and répétiteurs who will shape the future of opera. Ideal candidates will demonstrate exceptional talent and creativity, adaptability and a passion for pushing the boundaries of our artform.
We believe opera remains relevant and exciting for today’s audiences. Through the OAYAP, we’re nurturing artists who can balance tradition with innovation, inspire diverse communities and address contemporary issues — as opera has always done.
The program prepares our Young Artists for the international stage through overseas experiences and collaborations with global partners. We’re committed to developing well-rounded performers who can both take up the opportunities and navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing artistic landscape.
The Opera Australia Young Artist Program is delivered in three stages over an 18-month period including onsite training at The Opera Centre in Sydney, an international residency and then advanced preparation, experience and professional integration into OA, including roles and covers in OA events and productions at the Sydney Opera House.
To aspiring opera singers, directors, and répétiteurs: if you dream of a career in opera and are ready to dedicate yourself to this exhilarating artform, we want to hear from you. The OAYAP could be your pathway to a brilliant future in the wonderful world of opera.
Dr Francis Greep, Head of Young Artists, and Jane Hennessy, Young Artist Producer.
Former Young Artists of Opera Australia include
Lisa Gasteen
Kathryn McCusker
Opera Australia is proud to launch the next chapter of our Young Artist Program, generously supported by Principal Patron Maureen Wheeler AO.