A free, community-built directory of young artist programs

For what it was and what I got out of it, it was a pretty good summer for a PTS. I was an emerging artist. Yes I had to pay, yes they make you work in one of their departments (costumes, props, lights etc), and yes it’s basically “opera camp” but I got a huge leading role on its feet with orchestra and met some of my best friends there. The living quarters were probably the worst part but that was in 2019, I’m not sure how much has changed since then. Also being 20 min away from the nearest McDonalds (our only form of entertainment and our post-rehearsal “treat”) was slightly annoying 😂

Beginner/Intermediate friendly, skip if you’re looking for role experience - continued

Continuing the second review of this program, for some reason it only submitted my first paragraph. If you are not one of their favorites or you are new to the program, expect 2-3 concerts and ensemble. They have masterclasses and other things, but those experiences are not guaranteed. They also have some classes/lectures, but they are very much beginner-oriented. A big downside to their program is this: they have their favorite singers who they ask to come back every year, and they are often emailed very early in the casting process with offers for the leads in their MainStage and Studio productions. However, SVF usually still says they are casting leads on their website and YAP Tracker listings, even though they have likely had their leads casted for months. They are also generally pretty disorganized, although this seems to be the case with almost every pay-to-sing there is. SVF used to pay their Milnes Studio Artists in past years and set them up with quality home-stays so they did not have to pay for housing. Now young artists pay for the program and for housing. Scholarships and work study are available, but they typically only take off a couple hundred dollars. Most of my memories of this program are good ones. I have learned a lot, met some great people, and gotten a decent amount of stage experience through their concerts. I have also never had any problems with most of the staff; they are generally delightful and very knowledgeable. Again, best for beginners/intermediate singers.

Beginner/Intermediate friendly, skip if you’re looking for role experience

SVF is a great program for beginner and intermediate singers. The biggest takeaway is the wonderful quality of coachings and lessons you receive. Their new General Director is a very kind man and their Artistic Director is a very talented conductor who is a joy to work with.

Good pay to sing if you don’t expect too much

Overall, it’s a good beginner-intermediate pay to sing. Specifically, it’s a great intensive program for coachings/lessons. It’s also a great way to meet some people in the industry and other young artists. However, the company itself can be very logistically disorganized and sometimes over-markets what it actually offers. Logistically, it feels like they’re flying by the seat of their pants sometimes. Among other things, communication with artists can definitely be lacking, the schedule is sent out daily but there are frequent last minute changes, and there isn’t a good system in place to get from place to place- the only plan is artists with cars giving other people rides around the city. So if your schedule doesn’t line up with someone with a car, you might be out of luck or need to uber (which to my knowledge isn’t reimbursed). Also, role opportunities are often advertised, when in reality roles are not guaranteed- especially larger roles or leads. Realistically, you’ll usually perform in 2-3 concerts and the ensemble of any productions that have an ensemble. Outside of that, you MIGHT get selected for a masterclass, MIGHT get a very small role in a mainstage production, and MIGHT get a larger role if they happen to be doing a studio only production that year. They do offer scholarships or work study if you send a note requesting it with your application, but it usually only knocks a few hundred dollars off the tuition price. I’m going to be honest: people who attend usually fall into two camps, those who absolutely loved the experience and consider it to be a “family” and return year after year, and those who leave a little sad/bitter because their goals for the program were higher than what they received (as in they wanted a larger role, more stage time, inclusion in a masterclass, etc.). As long as you’re realistic about what the program actually offers, it’s a great program for beginner-intermediate singers.

Why did I pay to sing and also to work lol

Fabulous staff, world class orchestra, and amazing opportunities for YAs!

I wish I could rate this program a 0.

Attended in both 2021 and 2023, and had a fantastic experience! I learned so much about how to present a role, work with an orchestra, and tons of stagecraft- plus, I made lasting friendships and connections. Dean Anthony is a wonderful mentor!

I had an overall good Experience with MTB. I had this program recommended to me by the head of the music department at my school. The program lasts about a month and depending on which program you’re in (voice, MT, or Collaborative piano) you’ll be learning two or more scenes from an opera or operetta in German, or American musical theater repertoire in English. They offer acting, vocal coaching, and dance for all students. Singers do take dance classes with Musical theater students depending on apptitude, so it mostly just ended up being the MT students in one class and the vocal students in the other. Again, one could switch to the higher level dance class if that’s their skill level. All students take German class 3 times a week and there are also two levels of German classes, on the 3rd day I switched to the more advanced class. The musical theater students do take German as well but mostly in the lower level. I found them to be just as engaged and willing to learn as the opera students. The biggest draws of the program are the language immersion, the masterclasses, the faculty, and the proximity to major German speaking Opera hubs of Munich and Salzburg. In terms of the location and dormitory situation, They use a main townhouse in the center of the village for most students, with a hotel a few streets over to serve as overflow. Breakfast and lunch are served every day which were very nice, traditional german foods and a choice of soup or dessert. Everyone eats breakfast and lunch together every day which I appreciated and the town had very nice amenities. There was even a local beer festival at the end of our stay in the town. The town itself is situated in the southern German alps 2 hours outside of Munich and very close to the Austrian border with lots of excursions such as hiking or castle tours available on weekends. Weekends are otherwise free to spend how you like and the town is very well connected to the bigger cities via train. I’d recommend this program to anyone finishing up thier undergraduate, or are midway through thier graduate degree. Bonus: for colaborative pianists this program offers a unique oppertunity to live, work, and train with singers and MT performers as a full member of the artist community there.

Difficult, but rewarding

I attended the studio program at OIO, and it was well worth the tuition and time. If I remember correctly, it was something like $2500 for 8 weeks of performance, accommodation, 3 daily meals that could leave me stuffed, voice lessons, and coachings. I was in almost every production that year. The children's opera who toured around the area, performing at schools, libraries, even Walmart's HQ, and three other productions' choruses. I performed literally at least 50 times, that summer, was exhausted but satisfied, and left a much better performer with much less nerves on the stage. It was the perfect program for me at that time, having just finished my freshman year.