> Resident Artists Program

Resident Artists Program

AN APPRENTICESHIP FOR PERFORMERS

The Resident Artists Program (RAP) was established at Glimmerglass in 1988 as an essential component of the company’s mission to promote an artistically challenging environment for emerging artists. The program provides training and performance experience for talented artists at the beginning of their professional careers. The program accepts opera singers, musical theater singers and dancers, coaches and accompanists, conductors, and stage directors.

The Resident Artists Program is distinguished from many other apprentice programs in the variety and quality of the opportunities it provides its members. Most of its members hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees from leading conservatories. Many have already begun professional careers, singing with regional and national companies.

For three months, Resident Artists thrive in an artistically nurturing environment. They are treated as professionals and provided with compensation, a comfortable place to live, and transportation, freeing them to concentrate on their work.

The program’s focus is on education through performance. Resident Artists receive opportunities to perform and cover appropriate roles in all four mainstage productions and to work with world-class directors, designers, and conductors.

Resident Artists receive musical coaching, attend classes in diction and acting, and are given instruction in audition techniques, role preparation, and the business aspects of managing a career. In 2011, Glimmerglass Resident Artists worked with world-renowned soprano Deborah Voigt, who joined the company as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence. American bass-baritone Eric Owens, who has performed to critical acclaim at Metropolitan, San Francisco, and Washington National operas, joined the company as the 2012 Artist-in-Residence and returned as Artist-in-Residence in 2015 and 2018.  Julie and Nathan Gunn served as 2013 Artists-in-Residence, and Christine Goerke was the Artist-in-Residence for the 2014 season.  Jay Hunter Morris was the 2016 Artist-in-Residence. William Burden was the 2017 Artist-in-Residence. Our 2019 Artist-in-Residence, John Corigliano, was the first composer to serve in this capacity. Our Artist-in-Residence for 2020 and 2021 was Isabel Leonard, and our 2022 Artist-in-Residence was Denyce Graves. Our 2023 Artist-in-Residence was Anthony Roth Costanzo, and our 2024 Artist-in-Residence was internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught. We proudly welcome leading bass-baritone Greer Grimsley and mezzo-soprano Luretta Bybee as our 2025 Artists-in-Residence.

During the summer, administrators from many of the world’s leading opera houses visit Glimmerglass to hear the Resident Artists in performance. Many of the Resident Artists are offered roles or representation as a result of their appearances at Glimmerglass. Each Resident Artist performs in special concerts in the Alice Busch Opera Theater and the Pavilion next to the theater.

The Resident Artists also participate in master classes given by distinguished artists. In the past, master classes have been led by Jonathan Miller, John Shirley-Quirk, Theodor Uppman, Phyllis Curtin, Simon Callow, Lorna Haywood, Sherrill Milnes, Evelyn Lear, Thomas Stewart, William Warfield, Vinson Cole and Benita Valente, Steven Blier and Robin Guarino, among others.

The company is indebted to the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust through its donation of Lime Kiln, a residence in Cherry Valley where Residents Artists live and train during their stay at Glimmerglass.