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Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS
Program Description
Renée Fleming, co-artistic director
Patrick Summers, co-artistic director
The ground-breaking Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS (AOTVA) program, under the co-artistic direction of Renée Fleming and Patrick Summers, launched in Aspen in summer 2021.
Designed and led by the foremost opera minds of our time, the program offers a uniquely complete training for young singers for a future in the opera industry. Emphases include opera and concert work, emphasizing performances at the highest levels, and knowledge of the business, off-stage comportment, finances, contacts, and more.
Artist Fellows participate in two semi-staged productions led by distinguished conductors and directors, weekly opera scenes classes and song recitals, an Opera Benefit evening, events in private homes, and composer-artist collaborations with members of the Susan and Ford Schumann Center for Composition Studies. Additional opportunities include acting, meditation, and movement training; opera chorus; and industry auditions.
The program attracts 300–500 applications, of which 10–15 are invited as Renée Fleming Artists and approximately 15-20 are invited as Studio Artists.
Important Program Information
- NEW! For the 2025 season, all singers of the AOTVA program are fully funded
- Fleming Artists receive fellowships covering tuition, room, and board plus $1,500 stipend and private instruction from Ms. Fleming during her residency
- Studio Artists receive fellowships covering tuition, room, and board
- Mentorship from Renée Fleming and Patrick Summers who will both be in residence for at least four of the eight-week session
- Must be available for participation in the full-session, eight-week program
- Resume, headshot, and letters of recommendation required
Teaching Faculty
Faculty residencies may vary.
2025 Productions and Additional Performance Opportunities
Performances in the 2025 Season will include the following productions:
- MOZART: Così fan tutte
- Conductor: Patrick Summers
- Director: Renée Fleming
- Performance: July 21, 23, and 26 in the Wheeler Opera House
- PUCCINI: La Bohème
- Conductor: Enrique Mazzola
- Director to be determined
- Performance: August 19 in the Michael Klein Music Tent
Special assignments for the 2025 season may include opportunities to perform Handel's Messiah, Christopher Theofanidis' Siddhartha (World Premiere), and contemporary projects with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble.
Additionally, singers from the 2025 season will be considered for AOTVA's 2026 productions. Artists may also get the chance to sing alongside and learn from acclaimed artists such as Isabel Leonard, Ana María Martínez, and Matthew Polenzani.
AOTVA Artist Appointments
RENÉE FLEMING ARTISTS will sing and cover leading roles in mainstage productions and will receive vocal consultation and mentorship from Renée Fleming. When Ms. Fleming is in residence, Fleming Artists receive 45 minutes of vocal instruction with Ms. Fleming weekly along with a 45-minute lesson with their primary artist-faculty member (or they may opt out of one of these two lessons). Additionally, they will receive 60-minute lessons from their primary artist-faculty member outside of Ms. Fleming's residency. Included in this appointment is a fellowship covering tuition, room, and board and a $1500 stipend.
Meet the 2024 Fleming Fellowship Artists!
STUDIO ARTISTS will sing and cover leading and supporting roles and/or perform in the chorus for mainstage productions. They will receive 60 minutes of vocal instruction weekly from an AMFS artist-faculty member. Included in this appointment is a fellowship covering tuition, room, and board.
How to Apply
APPLICATION OPENS AUGUST 1
All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live.
The materials below will be required with the application.
- Resume
- Headshot
- Two letters of recommendation from a musical authority
The Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program is best suited for individuals between the ages of 20–30 years old, but is open to singers of any age and at any stage of their career. Renée Fleming Artists are expected to have at least completed their junior year of an undergraduate degree program in vocal performance and/or participated in a young artist program. To be considered for a Fleming Artist appointment, singers must have performed (or covered) a complete role. Singers at this level should also have extensive experience singing in multiple languages.
PRE-SCREEN / RECORDED AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Videos must be submitted as individual tracks and are recommended to be at a professional level. Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live.
- At least 12 minutes of music (minimum four pieces) in at least two languages that is representative of the singer's artistic profile. Repertoire should include two arias, one art song, and either a music theater or popular song.
- OPTIONAL — Spoken monologue of one to two minutes (can be dramatic, comedic, poetic, contemporary)
- OPTIONAL — A selection from the 2025 season repertoire (MOZART: Così fan tutte, PUCCINI: La Bohème)
LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live. Live audition repertoire does not have to be the same as the recorded audition. Singers will be asked to submit their audition list when they sign up for a live audition time and are not required to bring a printed audition list, a headshot, or a resume to the audition.
Singers will be allowed to choose their first piece and may be asked to sing additional pieces by the audition panel.
- At least 12 minutes of music (minimum four pieces) in at least two languages that is representative of the singer's artistic profile. Repertoire should include two arias, one art song, and either a music theater or popular song.
- OPTIONAL — Spoken monologue (memorized) of one-two minutes (can be dramatic, comedic, poetic, contemporary).
- OPTIONAL — A selection from the 2025 season repertoire (MOZART: Così fan tutte, PUCCINI: La Bohème)
Application Fees and Deadlines
- August 1, 2024: application opens
- September 15, 2024: application closes at 11:59 pm ET
- $30 application fee from August 1-September 15, 2024
Audition Dates
- Houston, TX (Houston Grand Opera)
Thursday, October 3, 2024 - New York City, NY (Christ and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church)
Monday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - Chicago, IL (Lyric Opera of Chicago)
Saturday, October 12, 2024* - Los Angeles, CA (Thayer Hall at the Colburn School)
Sunday, October 20, 2024
*Please note the Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 13. Applicants auditioning live in Chicago are encouraged to plan accordingly.
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