NYOA Curriculum
Our philosophy is that you learn best by doing. The curriculum combines performance training, career development, and immersive experiences, enabling students to take the skills they learn right to the stage. This head start ensures that our young artists know what it means to prepare and perform at the highest level.
- Daily Rehearsals: Collaborate with faculty and peers in a focused rehearsal process leading to a fully staged opera performance with orchestra.
- Vocal Coaching: Refine your skills through individualized and group sessions emphasizing interpretation, diction, text, and expressive nuance.
- Acting Classes: Explore character development, dramatic instinct, and stage presence to bring your roles and audition pieces to life with authenticity and depth.
- Movement Classes: Gain confidence and physical freedom through classes that connect the body to storytelling and enhance agility.
- Diction Training: Polish clarity and precision in English and foreign-language repertoire, strengthening communication and dramatic intent.
- Masterclasses: Work directly with internationally recognized artists, conductors, and coaches in sessions that challenge and inspire growth.
- Industry Exposure: Engage in candid conversations with leading conductors, directors, agents, and creative professionals across the performing arts.
Professional Insights Sessions
Industry Insight Sessions are a series of talks and workshops where students engage directly with leading professionals, gaining real-world perspectives on topics often not taught in a school setting. All participants will attend the following sessions planned for 2026:
- You, Inc.: The Business of Being an Artist: Led by GRAMMY® nominated baritone and director, Johnathan McCullough, this session helps students discover what their ideal career path might look like and how to start moving toward it. We’ll talk about how to set yourself apart by connecting your interests outside of opera with your artistry, and how to turn those from ideas into reality.
- The Whole Artist—Mental Wellness for Young Artists: Integrative Performance coach and critically acclaimed mezzo-soprano Beth Clayton leads an open conversation on cultivating emotional resilience, self-awareness, and balance, offering tools for young artists to navigate the pressures of creative growth with confidence and compassion.
- Financial Literacy for Freelancers: GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor, Luke McEndarfer, teaches how building financial awareness early empowers you to make informed choices leading to a sustainable career.
- The Art of Auditioning: Johnathan McCullough gives you insight into the tools needed to walk into any audition with confidence, showcasing your individuality, adaptability, and authentic storytelling on stage.
- Beyond the Stage—Building a Multifaceted Career in Music: GRAMMY® Award-winning baritone and composer, Will Liverman, discusses his journey as a performer, creator, and curator—from co-creating The Factotum and releasing chart-topping albums to reimagining what it means to build an artistic life that reflects the full range of his interests.
- From the Director’s Chair—Telling Stories That Matter: Resident Stage Director at The Santa Fe Opera and The Metropolitan Opera, Melanie Bacaling shares her approach to storytelling through opera and theater, exploring how collaboration, perspective, and authenticity bring depth to every production and empower artists to find their own voice in the creative process.
Additional Resources
Each participant will take home practical tools to support their growth:
- The Audition Field Guide: A concise reference to help students prepare, organize, and excel in every stage of the audition process.
- Financial Planning Template: A customizable tool to help young artists budget, plan expenses, and build sustainable financial habits.
- Vocal Warm-Up Guide: A structured set of exercises to build healthy vocal technique, flexibility, and confidence before singing.
