Opportunities
Wolf Trap Opera applications for the 2026 season are live!
AUDITION CITIES AND DATES:
Vienna, VA: September 15 & 16, 2025
Philadelphia: September 18, 2025
Los Angeles: September 20, 2025
Cincinnati: September 28 & 29, 2025
Chicago: October 4, 5 & 6, 2025
Houston: October 11, 12 & 13, 2025
New York: October 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2025
DEADLINES:
Vienna, VA; Philadelphia; Los Angeles: August 25, 2025
Cincinnati; Chicago; Houston; New York: September 1, 2025
Season Repertoire
Each season’s repertoire is selected in late autumn, based on the artists heard in the annual tour.
Season Dates
We do not set exact dates until we hear auditions, decide on repertoire, and embark on casting. Rehearsals will begin in mid/late May, and performances may last through the third week of August.
Studio Artists, Fellows and Apprentices are required to be in residence for the entire season. Please note any conflicts within the overall time frame on your application form.
Eligibility
You must either be a U.S. citizen or be authorized to work in the United States through the end of August 2026. Wolf Trap Opera cannot sponsor visas.
ALL APPLICATIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
Please only apply for either the Filene Artist OR the Studio Artists tier of the Company. If we feel you are more competitive for a different tier, we will notify you.
- Fees: The application process is free. If you are selected to receive an audition, you must confirm your appointment by submitting the pianist fee ($45 for Filene Artists / $25 for Studio Artists). If you choose to bring a pianist with you, WTO will waive the fee. There is no pianist fee for Coaching or Directing Fellows.
- Materials: Required materials for all artists include a headshot & résumé; Studio Artist applicants MUST submit a link to an unedited, live video recording.
TIMELINE
- Initial Notification: Approximately 3 weeks before the requested audition date you will be notified by email as to whether or not you have been scheduled for an audition. If you do not hear from us, and it is 3 weeks before your requested date, contact us at opera@wolftrap.org or 571.307.4672.
- Confirmation: If you receive an invitation to audition, you must confirm your date and time by submitting payment, or if payment is not required, by sending an email to opera@wolftrap.org within one week of notification.
AUDITION SCHEDULING
- Cancellation: If you need to cancel due to illness, please notify us at opera@wolftrap.org or leave a message at 571.307.4672. Do not try to reach us at the audition space.
- Conflicts: If you are unable to keep your assigned date/time, you have these options:
Arrange a mutual swap with another singer. Both of you must email us (opera@wolftrap.org) to confirm this swap.
Notify us by email (opera@wolftrap.org) that you are unable to keep your assigned date/time. You will be placed on a wait list for your new preferred date/time, and we will contact you if and/or when we have an opening.
AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Coaching Fellows
Be prepared to play and sing a selection from each of the categories below. Your selections must include one Italian, and one in either French or German. (Other languages allowed but not required)
- Aria or ensemble from a Mozart opera
- An accompanied recitative
- A brief secco recitative excerpt
- An ensemble or scene from a 19th-century opera
- A brief excerpt of any type from an opera written since 1940
- One other opera or musical excerpt of your choice
- Sight-reading will also be included in the audition
Directing Fellows
Interviews will be scheduled by Zoom during the month of November.
AUDITION MATERIALS
Please bring to your audition:
- 3 copies of your résumé.
- 3 copies of your audition repertoire list even if it is what you listed in your application.
- Do not bring a headshot or any additional promotional materials.
ACCOMPANIST
- The pianist fee will, of course, cover the pianist provided, but you may bring your own pianist if you prefer and the fee will be waived.
- We are not able to arrange pre-audition rehearsals with the company pianist.
AUDITION OUTCOME
Fellows
There are no callbacks for Coaching Fellows.
Coaching Fellow candidates will be selected by mid December.
If you receive a competing offer for the summer before you hear from us, please notify us immediately.
FEEDBACK
You may request feedback on your audition by emailing us at opera@wolftrap.org in January. Please allow up to 12 weeks for a response.
WOLF TRAP RESIDENCY LOGISTICS
Housing
- Housing is provided at no expense to all artists.
- Filene Artists and Fellows are housed in furnished, corporate apartments.
- Studio Artists receive dormitory lodging at George Mason University.
- Wolf Trap Opera is unable to assume responsibility for housing spouses, partners, families or pets.
Transportation
- All Artists must provide their own local transportation.
- Wolf Trap is located in Northern Virginia in the Washington, DC suburbs, where both public transportation and sidewalks are inconsistent, and housing assignments are not walkable from our rehearsal and performance facilities. You will need to have a car or make other arrangements to navigate the area.
Compensation
- All artists receive a weekly fee and a travel stipend.
QUESTIONS?
Reach WTO:
571.307.4672
opera@wolftrap.org
1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182