Opportunities

Filene Artists - 2026

Restrictions

You must either be a U.S. citizen or be authorized to work in the United States through the end of August 2026. YOU MAY ONLY APPLY TO ONE TIER: Studio Artist OR Filene Artist. If you are unsure which tier is best for you, please see www.wolftrap.org/opera/people/filene-artists.aspx. for reference.

Age Limit
No limit

How To Apply

Materials Required

Complete the online application. Please only apply for one tier of the program.

Fees: The application process is free. If you are selected to receive an audition, you must confirm your appointment by submitting the pianist fee. The pianist fee for Filene artists is $45. The fee will be waived if you choose to bring your own pianist.
Materials: Required materials include a headshot & resume.
Audition Requirements

Filene Artists

Offer 4 arias in contrasting styles and languages.
You may change audition repertoire after submitting your application. It is not necessary to notify us if you change your repertoire; just bring a copy of the revised list to the audition.
You will begin your audition with an aria of your choice. An additional selection may be requested.
AUDITION MATERIALS Please bring to your audition:

3 copies of your résumé
3 copies of your audition repertoire list
Do not bring a headshot or any additional promotional materials (bios, CD’s, press clippings).
Pianist Provided
Yes. May bring own

Opportunity Information

Location
Vienna, VA USA

Season Information
2025-2026
Each season’s repertoire is selected in late autumn, based on the artists heard in the annual tour.

Program Dates
May 18, 2026 - August 16, 2026
We do not set exact program 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 final week of August. Studio Artists, Fellows and Apprentices are required to be in residence for the entire season.

Program Information
All principal roles in Wolf Trap Opera productions are performed by the singers selected as Filene Artists (FAs). FAs are at an interim point between academic training and full-time professional careers. They have recently finished graduate or professional degree programs from the top music schools in the country and have often participated in year-long young artist companies or summer apprenticeships. Many of them have already won prestigious awards and are on their way to significant careers. Approximately 15-20 singers are chosen annually from an initial pool of approximately 800 applicants.

If you are just beginning graduate study or haven’t done any of the paid young artist residency programs, it’s probably too early to be competitive. Conversely, if it has been more than 2 years since you were last involved in an academic or full time young artist program, you have already moved beyond the reach of our program.

Compensation
Payment is provided

All Filene Artists receive a travel stipend of $400.
Last season, the weekly amount for Filene Young Artists was $750
Housing
Filene Artists and Fellows are placed in executive housing or with volunteer housing hosts within reasonable commuting distance. The average housing situation is located 5-10 miles away from our rehearsal and performance facilities. Wolf Trap is unable to assume responsibility for housing spouses, partners, or pets.
Transportation
All Artists MUST provide their own local transportation. Wolf Trap does not provide a local transportation stipend.
Wolf Trap is located in the nation's only National Park for the Performing Arts in the Virginia suburbs, where both public transportation and sidewalks are inconsistent, and housing assignments are often several miles away from our rehearsal and performance facility. You will need to have a car or make other arrangements to navigate the area.
Contact Information

Reach WTO at:
703.255.1935
opera@wolftrap.org
1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182