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OPERA San Antonio/Classical Music Institute Summer Voice Program

The OPERA San Antonio-Classical Music Institute Summer Voice Program is an intensive training program focusing on classical solo and chamber vocal music. We offer three different tiers for singers and one for collaborative vocal pianists during our summer festival.

Collegiate Voice Program

The Collegiate Voice Program caters to undergraduate and masters-level singers looking to hone their craft with professionals in the field. Participants will have the opportunity to partake in lessons, coachings, rehearsals, and performances in San Antonio. (~20 positions)

Apprentice Artist Program

The Apprentice Artist Program provides a tuition scholarship and housing stipend to select singers from the Collegiate Voice Program and features them on a touring program around San Antonio and Laredo, TX. (4 positions) *(Operatic-focused program—differentiates from the collegiate voice program)

Teaching-Artist Fellowship Program

The Teaching-Artist Fellowship Program is designed for performers with a strong interest in teaching. Participants will perform chamber music alongside other Teaching-Artists and CMI faculty, teach lessons, and participate in one-on-one professional development opportunities. Housing and transportation provided. (4 positions)

Vocal Collaborative Piano Teaching-Artist Fellowship

The Vocal Collaborative Piano Teaching-Artist Fellowship is geared towards up-and-coming vocal pianist-coach looking for an opportunity in the summer. They will perform both with the Teaching-Artist Fellows and the Apprentice Artists. The artist will also take part in the touring program which visits different locations in San Antonio and Laredo, TX. (1 position)

All participants will take part in individual coaching, solo and ensemble performances, master classes, and career seminars with members of the OSA Artistic Staff and CMI Artist-Faculty.

Applicants may apply for consideration for multiple programs.

Photo of voice program members in front of San Fernando Cathedral

Activities will include:

  • Individual lessons
  • Vocal coachings
  • Master classes
  • Repertoire dependent on enrollment, but may include:
    • Solo songs
    • Chamber music performances
    • Opera Scenes & Arias
  • Diction & Song Literature Coaching
  • Artistic Leadership & Career Seminars
  • Free admission to festival concerts and events
  • Headshots with our photographer, Siggi Ragnar for an additional fee of $100 for a session producing 4 edited and publishable photos: https://www.sragnar.com/head-shots

Application Requirements:

  • Headshot
  • Resume
  • Two recent video performances of contrasting repertoire. Live accompaniment preferred. Videos made with pre-recorded audio tracks are also acceptable. Apprentice Artist applicants should submit operatic selections.
  • Repertoire or list of works you have recently studied/performed. Please include arias, ensembles, and musical theater.
  • Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
  • Voice Teaching-Artist Fellowship applicants need to submit a 1-page maximum statement on their philosophy of teaching (not applicable for pianists.)
Please contact Christopher Besch (voice@cmi-sa.org) with any questions.

Important Dates:

Program Details:

  • Ideal Candidate
    • Pursuing or recently earned an undergraduate or masters degree in Vocal Performance or Pedagogy.
    • Artists age 30 and under as of September 1, 2023 are welcome to apply.
  • Tuition/Compensation & Housing/Travel
    • Participants will be responsible for their own housing, transportation, and any associated expenses.
    • Tuition: $450.
    • Housing: $75 per night single occupancy ($975 for 13 nights) or $65/night double occupancy ($845 for 13 nights) at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking is included. Due May 26th.
    • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (June 12-16, June 20-23).
    • Local Transportation: Transportation will be provided for out of town artists.
      • *Artists with a vehicle may be asked to help out with transportation needs. Any mileage deemed valid as CMI business by faculty or staff will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate of $.625 per mile.
        Travel to San Antonio: Not provided
  • Participation Requirements
    • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required. Masking may be required. Artists must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test two days before arrival (June 9) and again during the festival (June 16-19.) Tests during the festival dates will be provided by CMI. Symptomatic artists will be required to quarantine for at least five days and present a negative rapid COVID-19 test to return to the festival.

Apply Now on YapTracker

The Apprentice Artist Program requires a longer residency than the other programs. Participants must be available virtually beginning June 1, 2023 and in San Antonio June 5- June 28, 2023

  • Ideal Candidate
    • Artists with, or in pursuit of a Masters in Vocal Performance are preferred. Students in pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in voice or recent graduates at the time of application may also apply.
    • Artists age 30 and under as of September 1, 2023 are welcome to apply.
  • Tuition/Compensation & Housing/Travel
    • Participants responsible for their own housing, transportation, and any associated expenses for the duration of the program.
    • Artists selected for this program will receive a $750.00 scholarship at the conclusion of the program from the Opera Guild of San Antonio Margaret King Stanley Vocal Scholarship Fund to help supplement housing and travel expenses and will have all tuition fees waived.
    • Tuition: Waived
    • Housing: $75 per night single occupancy ($1650 for 22 nights) or $65/night double occupancy ($1430 for 22 nights) at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking is included.
      • *When on tour to Laredo, TX (June 26-28,) the artists will have housing provided.
    • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (June 12-16, June 20-23).
    • Local Transportation: Transportation will be provided for out of town artists.
      *Artists with a vehicle may be asked to help out with transportation needs. Any mileage deemed valid as CMI business by faculty or staff will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate of $.625 per mile.
    • Travel to San Antonio: Not provided
  • Participation Requirements
    • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required. Masking may be required. Artists must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test two days before arrival (June 3) and again during the festival (June 16-19.) Tests during the festival dates will be provided by CMI. Symptomatic artists will be required to quarantine for at least five days and present a negative rapid COVID-19 test to return to the festival.
  • Live Audition:
    • After the first round of documentation is received, materials will be reviewed and selected artists will be invited to a live audition on March 17, 2023.

Apply Now on YapTracker

  • Ideal Candidate
    • Pursuing a graduate degree or are early-career professional vocalists with a strong interest in vocal pedagogy.
    • Artists of any age are welcome to apply.
  • Compensation & Housing/Travel
    • Participants attend on a fellowship award valued at $1800 to cover the costs of tuition ($450,) transportation ($500,) and lodging ($850, if needed).
    • Tuition: None
      *A place-holder of $300 must be paid to reserve space upon acceptance by April 21, refunded upon arrival to the program (June 11th.)
    • Housing: Provided at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking is included.
    • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (June 12-16, June 20-23).
    • Local Transportation: Provided
      • *Artists with a vehicle may be asked to help out with transportation needs. Any mileage deemed valid as CMI business by faculty or staff will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate of $.625 per mile.
    • Travel to San Antonio: Not provided
  • Participation Requirements
    • Virtual Interview
      • Select candidates will be asked to do a virtual interview during the week of March 13-17.
    • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required. Masking may be required. Artists must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test two days before arrival (June 9) and again during the festival (June 16-19.) Tests during the festival dates will be provided by CMI. Symptomatic artists will be required to quarantine for at least five days and present a negative rapid COVID-19 test to return to the festival.

Apply Now on YapTracker

The Vocal Collaborative Piano Fellowship Program requires a longer residency than the other programs. Participants must be available in San Antonio June 5 – June 28, 2023.

  • Ideal Candidate
    • Pianists who are strongly interested in pursuing vocal collaborative arts. Students who are pursuing (or have recently completed) a degree in Piano Performance or Collaborative Piano are welcome to apply.
    • Artists aged 35 and under as of September 1, 2023 are welcome to apply.
  • Tuition/Compensation & Housing/Travel
    • Participants attend on a fellowship award valued at $2600 to cover the costs of tuition ($450,) transportation ($500,) and lodging ($1650, if needed).
    • The artist selected for this program will also receive an additional $750.00 stipend at the conclusion of the program for extended residency in San Antonio.
    • Tuition: None
      • *A place-holder of $300 must be paid to reserve space upon acceptance by April 21, refunded upon arrival to the program (June 11th.)
    • Housing: Provided at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking is included.
    • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (June 12-16, June 20-23).
    • Local Transportation: Provided
      • *Artists with a vehicle may be asked to help out with transportation needs. Any mileage deemed valid as CMI business by faculty or staff will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate of $.625 per mile.
    • Travel to San Antonio: Not provided
  • Participation Requirements
    • Virtual Interview
      • Select candidates will be asked to do a virtual interview during the week of March 13-17.
      • Candidates will be asked to perform a brief sight-reading excerpt as part of the interview.
    • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 required. Masking may be required. Artists must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test two days before arrival in San Antonio and again during the festival (June 16-19.) Tests during the festival dates will be provided by CMI. Symptomatic artists will be required to quarantine for at least five days and present a negative rapid COVID-19 test to return to the festival.

Apply Now on YapTracker

Artist Faculty

Soprano & Senior Voice Faculty at the Classical Music Institute
Bass-baritone, CMI Voice Fellowship Coordinator, and Lecturer in Voice at Texas State University
Pianist, CMI Teaching-Artist Fellowship Coordinator, and Faculty Member at Trinity University
Stage Director, Artistic Advisor of OPERA San Antonio, and Lecturer in Opera Studies at the University of Texas at Austin
Soprano and Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at San Antonio
Mezzo-soprano, Friends Program and Education Coordinator at OPERA San Antonio

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