Opera san antonio/classical music institute Young artist ProgrAm

june 2025

The OPERA San Antonio-Classical Music Institute Young Artist 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.

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opera San antonio/classical music institute

Young artist program

The OPERA San Antonio-Classical Music Institute Young Artist 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.

The 2025 program coming soon.

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.

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Program Types

Studio Artist Program (DATES TBD)

The Studio Artist 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. Scholarships are available.
(~30 positions)

  • Ideal Candidate
    • Pursuing or recently earned an undergraduate or masters degree in Vocal Performance or Pedagogy.
    • Artists of any age are welcome to apply.
  • Cost & Compensation
    Participants will be responsible for their own housing, transportation to San Antonio, and any associated expenses.
    • Cost:
      • Total Cost: $1950
        • Tuition: $600.
        • Housing: $75 per night single occupancy ($1350 for 18 nights) at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking and breakfast are included.
          • A 50% down payment is due TBD with the remainder due TBD.
            • Tuition Only – $300 due TBD. $300 due TBD.
            • Tuition & Housing – $975 due TBD. $975 due TBD.
        • Travel to San Antonio: Not provided
    • Compensation:
      • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (DATES TBD).
      • Local 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.
  • Dates
    • TBD
  • Participation Requirements
    • Artists may be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test prior to their departure for San Antonio and again 3 days after their arrival. Symptomatic artists may be required to quarantine for at least five days and present a negative rapid COVID-19 test to return to the festival. Any tests during the festival dates will be at the artist’s expense.

Apprentice Artist Program (DATES TBD)

The Apprentice Artist Program is designed for advanced singers looking for copious performance experience singing for multiple community venues around the San Antonio area. Repertoire will likely be drawn from the 2024-2025 OPERA San Antonio main stage season. Tuition scholarship ($600) and a $1000 stipend are provided. Housing and flight are not covered, local transportation is covered.

‍Finalists are required to audition live and in-person in San Antonio on TBD.
‍(4 positions)

The Apprentice Artist Program requires a longer residency than the other programs.
Participants must be available in DATES TBD

Finalists for the Apprentice Artist Program are required to audition live and in-person in San Antonio on DATE TBD.
‍

  • Ideal Candidate
    • Artists with, or in pursuit of, a Masters or Artist Diploma 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 of any age are welcome to apply.
  • Cost & Compensation
    • Participants responsible for their own housing, transportation, and any associated expenses for the duration of the program.
    • Compensation
      • Stipend: $1000
        • Participants selected for this program will receive a $750 stipend from the Opera Guild of San Antonio Margaret King Stanley Vocal Scholarship Fund to help supplement housing and travel expenses. An additional $250 stipend will be paid to each artist at the conclusion of the program.
      • Tuition: None
      • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (DATES TBD).
      • 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.
    • Cost
      • Housing is not provided
        • Housing: $75 per night single occupancy (~$1725 for 23 nights, dates may change slightly depending on tour to Laredo, TX) at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking and breakfast are included.
          • A 50% down payment is due TBD with the remainder due TBD.
            • Tuition & Housing – $862.50 due TBD. $862.50 due TBD.
            • When on tour to Laredo, TX the artists will have housing provided.
      • Travel to San Antonio: Not provided

Teaching-Artist Fellowship Program
‍(DATES TBD)

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. Tuition scholarship ($600), $1000 stipend, up to $500 in travel reimbursement, and housing/local transportation are provided. (3 positions)

  • 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.
  • Cost & Compensation
    • Compensation
      • Stipend: $1000
      • Travel Reimbursement: Up to $500
      • Tuition: None
      • Housing is provided
        • Housing is at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking and breakfast are included.
    • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (DATES TBD).
      • 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.
    • Cost: None
  • Dates
    • TBD
  • Interview
    • Select candidates will be asked to do a virtual interview during the week of TBD.
  • Participation Requirements
    • Artists may be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test prior to their departure for San Antonio and again 3 days after their arrival. 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. Any tests during the festival dates will be at the artist’s expense.

‍

Vocal Collaborative Piano Fellowship
(DATES TBD)

The Vocal Collaborative Piano Fellowship is geared towards up-and-coming vocal pianist-coaches. 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. A $1000 stipend, up to $500 in travel reimbursement, and housing/local transportation are provided. (1 position)

The Vocal Collaborative Piano Fellowship requires a longer residency than the other programs. Participants must be available in San Antonio TBD.

  • 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 of any age are welcome to apply.
  • Cost & Compensation
    • Compensation
      • Stipend: $1000
      • Travel Reimbursement: Up to $500
      • Tuition: None
      • Housing is provided
        • Housing is at the Sonesta ES Suites San Antonio Downtown Alamo Plaza (425 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205.) Parking and breakfast are included.
    • Lunch will be provided during the days we’re in residence at Edgewood Fine Arts Academy (DATES TBD).
      • 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.
    • Cost: None
  • Dates
    • TBD
  • Interview
    • Virtual Interview
      • Select candidates will be asked to do a virtual interview during the week of TBD.
      • Candidates will be asked to perform a brief sight-reading excerpt as part of the interview.
  • Participation Requirements
    • Artists may be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test prior to their departure for San Antonio and again 3 days after their arrival. 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. Any tests during the festival dates will be at the artist’s expense.
ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE:
  • Individual Lessons
  • Vocal Coachings
  • Masterclasses
  • Repertoire dependent on enrollment, but my include:
    - Solo Songs
    -Chamber Music Performances
    -Opera Scenes & Arias
  • Diction & Song Literature Coaching
  • Artistic Leadership & Career Seminars
  • Free Admission to Festival Cocerts & Events
  • Headshots with a professional photographer for an additional fee of $100 for a session producing 4 edited & publishable photos

Apply Now

Application Requirements
  • DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Please contact Christopher Besch (voice@cmi-sa.org) with any questions.

APPLICATIONS COMING SOON
210 Festival Young Artist Program Director

DR. CHRISTOPHER BESCH

Bass-baritone Christopher Besch is proud to have performed in eight countries on three continents with such conductors as Lorin Maazel, Leonard Slatkin, and Jeffrey Thomas. His “commanding stage presence and rich resonance of deep bass sound” (DC Theatre Scene) has been heard in over 80 works running the gamut of musical styles such as early music, grand opera, and modern art song. Notable engagements have included Apollo in Anthony Brandt’s Kassandra (recently released on the Navona Records label,) Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro with Opera Colorado, Frederik in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music with the Castleton Festival, Ashby in Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West with Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia, and many others. As a frequent performer of concert repertoire, his recent performances have included Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Symphony of the Hills, Verdi’s Requiem with the Green Bay Civic Symphony, Haman in Handel’s Esther with Ars Lyrica. Additionally, he is a frequent soloist with Bach Society Houston, appearing with them at the 2017 Leipzig Bach Festival in Leipzig, Germany and will be again at the 2023 festival. Notable upcoming engagements include the debut concert of the early music group Harmonica Stellarum, an all-Purcell concert with Ars Lyrica Houston, Haydn’s Creation in Louisville, KY, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen with the Classical Music Institute in San Antonio, and many others.

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Established as the education program of the Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio, CMI debuted in summer 2016. CMI provides classical music education to Bexar County’s youth during a two-week and year-long outreach program. With the success of our summer education program during the CMI 210 Festival, the long-term goal is to partner with local school districts to establish a year-round program.

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