Opera Institute

About the Boston University Opera Institute

The Opera Institute is an intensive, highly selective two-year performance-based training program for emerging operatic artists. Each Institute member receives a full tuition scholarship, and graduates from Boston University College of Fine Arts with a Performance Diploma in Opera.

Students are accepted into the program each year through a process of national audition and recruitment. The Institute also serves as the Center of Opera Training for Vocal Performance degree candidates, where students share training and casting opportunities.

Through our professional curriculum model, the Opera Institute provides a performance-based curriculum taught by full-time and adjunct faculty members along with guests from the operatic profession. The program includes voice lessons, repertoire coaching, Italian Conversation, Acting, Movement (Stage Combat, Ballet, Period Styles, Commedia, Alexander Technique). Additional areas covered include Business Strategies, Auditions, and Networking. During their studies, singers have the opportunity to participate in two large-scale productions with a full orchestra per year, a Fringe Festival of significant one-act operas, and outreach programs.

Learn more about the Performance Diploma in Opera, and see a full program description on the BU Academic Bulletin.

Ready to apply? Read more about admission to Boston University School of Music.

School of Music Graduate Admissions

Our Mission

The mission of the Opera Institute is to mentor operatic artists of unique quality and caliber who are driven towards a professional career in opera. Within a supportive environment, participants are engaged and encouraged to achieve the highest  standards in lessons, classes, coachings, rehearsals, and performances, with the objective of developing proficiency in both traditional and contemporary operatic repertoire.