Posts Categorized: Uncategorized

It’s Monday, and Mercury is in retrograde (we’re learning that the hard way…), but you still have a few more hours to submit an application to audition for the 2015 season. Deadline midnight tonight, October 6. Start at www.wolftrap.org/opera/audition.

Today, some advice for singers who are in the position of choosing and delivering an audition monologue. Our prospective Studio Artists must do just this. And we’ve had some really good ones come through the door over the last two days! Do you ever wonder why in the world singers are required to prepare monologues? We

I am constantly amazed by how different it is to do auditions in New York now that the National Opera Center is here. A room with true acoustics, a place for singers to relax (well, as close as one can get to relaxing before a job interview), a warm-up room, a few vending machines…. It’s positively

This concludes an 8-part series of posts containing audition season advice submitted by Wolf Trap Opera alumni. I was astonished that within a few days of putting out a group email request, I received messages from almost 40 singers. Clearly, this business of auditioning is not easy, and generous colleagues are always eager to share what

Part Eight in a series of posts containing audition season advice submitted by Wolf Trap Opera alumni. It’s telling that this theme emerged more frequently than others among all of the advice submitted. Do not underestimate its power. Let It Go: Say the Serenity Prayer. Then just sing. Don’t go in expecting to land the job.

Part Seven in a series of posts containing audition season advice submitted by Wolf Trap Opera alumni. Be True to Yourself: And be kind to yourself. If you won’t, who will? Just because you’re auditioning for a role, it doesn’t mean you have to spend that time ‘proving’ you can sing, ‘proving’ you’ve got chops… you’ve got to stay

Part Five in a series of posts containing audition season advice submitted by Wolf Trap Opera alumni. The Power of Positivity: The glass is way more than half full. Everyone behind that table desperately wants you to be AWESOME.  No one is judging you in the way you think.  Everyone that you will ever sing for wants

Part Four in a series of posts containing audition season advice submitted by Wolf Trap Opera alumni. Today, some thoughts on interacting with other singers at auditions. Navigating the Colleague Waters A few separate short bits of advice: Be leery of colleagues who offer unsolicited advice. Be well-prepared, polite, kind, courteous and a good colleague. Don’t

Part Three in a series of posts containing audition season advice submitted by Wolf Trap Opera alumni. Your Aria Package: Argh… What should I sing??? Be Yourself Start with something that shows off something unique you can offer.  For me, this was often the aria that I was the most comfortable with anyway, and helped get me grounded