Your Opera Journey Starts Here
Emerging Artist Applications Now Open

Edmonton Opera is thrilled to offer exciting opportunities for emerging artists at the start of their professional careers. Our 2025/26 Emerging Artist Program includes three unique projects, giving participants the chance to gain hands-on experience, work with industry professionals, and be part of main stage opera productions.

The Projects

Fall session: tosca (Puccini, Illica & giacosa)

Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra partners with Edmonton Opera, the Yukon Arts Centre, and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra to offer a unique professional development opportunity for Canadian opera singers and creatives.

winter session: indians on vacation (cusson & vavrek)

Emerging Artists will understudy roles in this exciting World Premiere.

spring session: siegfried (wagner, jonathan dove arrangement)

Emerging Artists will understudy roles in this intimate production of Wagner’s Siegfried.

How to Apply

We invite emerging artists to apply for any or all of the above projects. You may choose to be considered for one specific project, or submit your application for all three - the choice is yours!

Each project will be evaluated independently, and we encourage you to explore the unique opportunities and offers.

This is a fantastic chance to work with established professionals in the field, gain valuable experience, and contribute to main stage opera productions.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2025

Materials required to apply:

• Updated CV

• Headshot

• Name and number of one reference

• For singers: 2 YouTube links of recent opera aria recordings

For more details on each project, continue reading below.

We look forward to receiving your applications and working together to bring these extraordinary projects to life!

For any questions regarding the applications or projects, please email Holly Kroeker at holly.kroeker@edmontonopera.com.

Fall Session

Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini, Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, in 3 Cities

Calling SINGERS and CREATIVES

Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra partners with Edmonton Opera, the Yukon Arts Centre, and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra to offer a unique professional development opportunity for Canadian opera singers and creatives.

Apply now to Edmonton Opera’s Fall Session Emerging Artist Program to be considered for the National Arts Centre’s production of Puccini’s Tosca.

Dates

All applicants must be available from August 27 - September 28, 2025

What’s included

All positions will be compensated with a fee, travel, housing, and per diem.

additional details

Singers will be flown to Ottawa to work with the principal cast, act as Understidies or be cast as principals in the semi-staged opera. All singers will be considered for a least one performance with NACO in Southham Hall under music director Alexander Shelley. Singers will then travel to both Whitehorse, Yukon, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to perform Tosca with the Yukon Arts Centre and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.

There will be Masterclass, Roundtable sessions and the opportunity to work with cast and creatives.

Faculty include Alexander Shelley (NACO Music Director), Joyce El-Khoury (internationally acclaimed soprano), Donald Palumbo (former chorus director of the Metropolitan Opera), Henry Kennedy (Resident Conductor, NAC) and others.

Winter Session

Indians on vacation by Ian cusson and royce vavrek

Edmonton Opera is looking for two (2) Emerging Artists to understudy roles in the Canadian Premiere of Ian Cusson and Royce Vavrek’s new work Indians on Vacation.

dates

All applicants must be available from January 12 - February 7, 2026

what’s included

All positions will be compensated with a fee, travel, and housing.

additional details

Artists will understudy a principal cast of artists on this Edmonton Opera Mainstage production.

** Please note **
Due to the nature of the opera, which centers around Indigenous peoples and their stories, we are prioritizing applications from individuals with Indigenous heritage. This decision is made in recognition of the significance and authenticity of representation within the production. However, we are committed to diversity and inclusivity. We are accepting and considering applicants from all backgrounds and communities to cover positions, ensuring that we value a wide range of perspectives and experiences in the casting process.

Spring Session

Siegfried by richard wagner (jonathan dove arrangement)

Edmonton Opera is looking for two Emerging Artists to understudy roles in our production of Siegfried, by Wagner.

dates

All applicants must be available from April 27 - May 31, 2026

What’s included

All positions will be compensated with a fee, travel, and housing.

additional details

Artists will understudy a principal cast of artists on this Edmonton Opera Mainstage production.

this program is supported by