Audition Process

Pre-Screening Application Requirements

There are three rounds of auditions: the first being the video submission of three (3) arias of contrasting styles, composers, and languages. These videos, along with other requested documents and two (2) professional references are due by November 16, 2025. Of these applications the AVA Faculty will offer an in-person audition/interview in Philadelphia either on January 23 and 24, 2026, or on January 30 and 31, 2026. If granted and in-person audition, you will be asked to select and the weekend(s) that work best for your schedule. Callbacks will be held on both Saturdays, January 24th and 31st. Applicants must be available during all three days. No virtual or video auditions can stand in lieu of the second round of in-person auditions. All singers must come to Philadelphia to audition, without exception.

No audition trading or swapping will be permitted. All travel costs are the responsibility of the applicant. AVA does not cover any travel costs.

AVA will provide a no-cost audition pianist, but you are permitted to bring your own pianist if you choose.

Unfortunately, AVA cannot provide feedback for any applications or auditions. AVA does not offer sample voice lessons or coachings.

Please contact Dr. Josh Miller, Dean at jmiller@avaopera.org with any questions regarding this application.

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Live Audition Round

January 23 and 24, 2026 OR January 30 and 31, 2026, in Philadelphia

• For the Live In-Person Round, AVA provides an audition pianist, but applicants are permitted to bring their own. 
• The applicant must supply a binder with copies of their arias, for the pianist, at the time of audition.
• Applicants should be prepared to sing four (4) arias of contrasting styles, composers, and languages. AVA typically produces standard-canon operas in Italian, French, German, English and Russian.  
• Applicants will choose their first aria, and the panel may choose an additional aria (or arias).
• The audition panel consists of the President and Artistic Director, Jeannine B. Cowles Music Director Chair, all voice instructors and vocal coaches, or any combination of above.
• Applicants may warm up for 45 minutes in a practice room before their auditions.
• If an applicant is late for the scheduled audition, the panel will decide whether or not to hear the audition.
• The panel is not obliged to hear all the music that an applicant may have prepared or to give an audition evaluation.
• Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision within a few weeks of the live audition.