A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute

A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute

A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute

An opera training program, the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute offers highly personalized and in-depth training at the graduate and post-graduate level. Fellows accepted into the Institute are awarded full tuition with all fees paid plus a stipend to help cover living expenses and health insurance.

Institute Fellows perform in fully-staged productions of new and established operatic works and participate in touring and outreach programs. Extensive performance experience is enriched by advanced studies in voice, language, diction, operatic literature, acting, movement, stage combat, and career enhancement strategies.

Instruction is provided by a resident artist faculty and visiting artists of national and international renown. As a training program for future operatic artists, it has always been the intention of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute to expose its students to a stylistic range of operas by planning two nineteenth century, one eighteenth century, and one contemporary opera every two years.

Welcome from Artistic Director Steven LaCosse
Steven LaCosse

A.J. Fletcher Distinguished Professor of Opera and Artistic Director Steven LaCosse has directed over 100 productions throughout his impressive career. With a repertory that spans "Le nozze di Figaro" to "The Fantasticks," LaCosse directed the southeastern premier of Ned Rorem’s "Our Town," as well as the American premiere of Pergolesi’s "Lo frate ‘nnamorato."

Meet Steven Lacosse

Notable Alumni

Joshua Conyers
Joshua Conyers
Baritone

Washington National Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera

Johnathan Johnson
Johnathan Johnson
Tenor

Opera Philadelphia, Canadian Opera Company, Chicago Lyric Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Krassen Karagiozov
Krassen Karagiozov
Baritone
Teatro Regio di Parma, Plovdiv State Opera, Opera Santa Barbera, Opera San Jose
Emily Newton
Emily Newton
Soprano
Staatstheater Nürnberg, Wiener Staatsoper, Oper Dortmund
Richard Ollarsaba
Richard Ollarsaba
Bass-baritone

USA Representative to Cardiff Singer of the World, Chicago Lyric Opera, Kentucky Opera, Virginia Opera, Piedmont Opera