National Youth Opera Academy debuts Santa Fe summer program for high school singers | EarRelevant

EarRelevant Staff | 15 DEC 2025

SANTA FE, New Mexico— A new summer training program for high school vocalists will debut in Santa Fe next year through a collaboration between the National Youth Opera Academy and the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera.

The inaugural session is scheduled for July 29–Aug. 8, 2026, and is open to singers ages 13 to 18. Organizers say the 11-day academy is designed to provide pre-professional instruction and performance experience for young artists from across the United States and abroad, culminating in a fully staged opera with orchestra.

The program will be led by baritone and director Johnathan McCullough, a Grammy-nominated singer who serves as the academy’s program director. Instruction will be provided by a roster of guest artists and educators drawn from professional opera companies and training programs. Faculty members include baritone and composer Will Liverman; mezzo-soprano and performance coach Beth Clayton; mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce; director and acting coach Dylan F. Thomas; soprano Ashley Milanese; director of the Santa Fe Opera’s Young Voices program Amy Owens; soprano and arts administrator Shira Renee Thomas; and director Melanie Bacaling, whose work includes productions at the Metropolitan Opera and the Santa Fe Opera.

Students will prepare and perform Odyssey, a youth opera by composer Ben Moore and librettist Kelley Rourke. The performance will take place at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, with conductor Luke McEndarfer leading the orchestra.

In addition to rehearsals and coaching, participants will attend a performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute at the Santa Fe Opera. The visit will include a backstage tour and a discussion with artists involved in the production, which is a co-production with Garsington Opera. Santa Fe Opera music director Harry Bicket conducts the performances, with staging by Christopher Luscombe.

Santa Fe Opera general director Robert K. Meya said the collaboration reflects the company’s long-standing focus on education and artist development. Amy Owens noted that the partnership is intended to strengthen pathways for young singers from early training into the professional field.

The academy’s curriculum combines daily musical and staging rehearsals with instruction in diction, acting, and movement, along with seminars on topics such as audition preparation, marketing for artists, financial literacy, and career planning. Organizers said participants may also be considered for concurrent fellowships in areas including conducting, collaborative piano, and stage management.

Housing for participants will be provided in downtown Santa Fe, and a day-rate tuition option will be available for local students. Need-based scholarships are offered.

Applications for the summer 2026 session are now open through the National Youth Opera Academy’s website at nationalyouthopera.com. ■

EXTERNAL LINKS:

National Youth Opera Academy nationalyouthopera.com.

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