A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute

Audition Process

Application and Pre-Screen Deadline for Fall 2026	December 1, 2025
Auditions in Winston-Salem	January 11, 2026 February 7, 2026 February 22, 2026
Auditions in Chicago	February 14, 2026

Application Requirements

To obtain an audition for the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, you must submit the following:

A formal application and fee paid to UNCSA (You can find the application here.)
A cover letter concisely stating your career goals and why you feel the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute can best help you achieve those goals, as well as your preferred audition date
Transcripts from all secondary institutions attended. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution.
Three letters of recommendation from professionals in the field of opera
Up-to-date résumé

Recent headshot
Audition repertoire
MM in Voice applicants: Pre-screening video recording file or link consisting of two contrasting arias representing two languages
Graduate Certificate applicants: Pre-screening video file or link consisting of three arias representing three languages
PAC applicants: Pre-screening video recording file or link consisting of four arias, representing at least three languages.

Auditions will be conducted in three parts:

Part I: Information Session with Artistic Director Steven LaCosse

Part II: Live Auditions for Voice/Opera Faculty

Part III: Work Session with Music Director James Allbritten

You will be tested on sight singing and diction
Musical and dramatic work on your Pre-Screen Selections and Audition Repertoire List

Six selections of contrasting style in four languages; English, Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech, Spanish
One selection must be in Italian
One selection must be in English
Three of the selections must be opera arias
One of the selections must be written after 1950
One of the selections must be musical theatre

Seven selections of contrasting style in four languages; English, Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech, Spanish
One selection must be in Italian
One selection must be in English
Four of the selections must be opera arias
One of the selections must be written after 1950
One of the selections must be musical theatre

Eight selections of contrasting style in four languages; English, Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech, Spanish
One selection must be in Italian
One selection must be in English
Four of the selections must be opera arias
One of the selections must be written after 1950
One of the selections must be musical theatre