Glimmerglass Opera - Young American Artists Program

The Young American Artists Program was established at Glimmerglass Opera in 1988 as an important component of the company's mission to promote an artistically challenging environment for young American performers. The program provides training and performance experience for talented singers at the beginning of their professional careers. Under the guidance of Stewart Robertson, formerly Glimmerglass Opera’s Music Director, the Young American Artists Program's reputation for excellence has kept pace with that of the company of which it is a vital part.

The Young American Artists Program is distinguished from many apprentice programs found elsewhere in the United States in the variety and quality of the opportunities it provides its members, most of whom hold bachelor's and master's degrees from leading conservatories. Many have already begun professional careers, singing with regional and national companies. For a period of three months Glimmerglass Young American Artists are placed in an environment that is nurturing and beneficial to the development of their careers. They are treated as professionals and provided with compensation, a comfortable place to live, transportation and meals, freeing them to concentrate on their work. The focus of the Program is on education through performance, which comes principally from an opportunity to perform and cover appropriate roles in all four mainstage productions of the Glimmerglass season and to work with world-class directors, designers and conductors.

In addition to rehearsing and performing, Young Artists receive musical coaching, attend classes in diction and acting, and are given instruction in such skills as audition techniques, role preparation and the business aspects of managing a career. Administrators from many of the world's leading opera houses visit Glimmerglass throughout the summer and hear the Young Artists in performance. When possible, auditions are scheduled for administrators and agents. Many of our Young Artists are offered roles or representation as a result of these auditions.

The Young Artists also participate in masterclasses given by distinguished artists. In the past, masterclasses have been led by Jonathan Miller, John Shirley-Quirk, Theodor Uppman, Phyllis Curtin, Simon Callow, Lorna Haywood, Sherrill Milnes, Evelyn Lear, Thomas Stewart, William Warfield, Vinson Cole and Benita Valente, among others. Guest masterclass teachers for the 2007 Festival Season included Steven Blier, Robin Guarino and Lisa Saffer.

In the course of the summer each Young Artist gives a solo song recital at venues in Cooperstown and nearby Cherry Valley, a feature of the Glimmerglass season that has become extremely popular with opera patrons and the local community.

The company is indebted to the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust, through its donation of Lime Kiln, a residence in Cherry Valley where Young American Artists live and train during their stay at Glimmerglass.

The company is also grateful to The Otesaga and the New York State Historical Association for providing space for the Young American Artists’ solo recitals throughout the Festival Season.