The Lyric Arts France Young Artist Program is at the heart of Festival Opera Bastide. LAF YAP is intended for emerging professional singers, pianists, stage directors, stage managers, and arts administrators from around the world. We offer a variety of solo performance opportunities for all singers, a full opera production with orchestra, masterclasses, and several concerts of French art song, opera, and other vocal music.

The audition window for Summer 2024 has closed; however, we do still have openings for some roles in The Magic Flute. To inquire about auditioning and participating in the YAP program this summer, please email us and we will contact you with information and next steps.

  • The program has a strong training element. Artists work with world-class singers, directors, conductors, coaches, and choreographers, both in production rehearsals and in training sessions. These will include individual and group vocal and repertoire coaching, masterclasses, auditioning classes, and career seminars addressing opportunities in Europe and the United States. There will also be a focus on singing in French and French arias and Art Song.

    From 2:30–3:50 PM each rehearsal day, this eighty-minute period is dedicated exclusively to classes and masterclasses. Each singer will receive at least one individual coaching/voice session per week, as well as attending group sessions. Rehearsals for productions and concerts take place in the mornings, afternoons, and some evenings.

  • We work hard to cast all Artists in as many appropriate solo roles as possible, as well as in all cover roles. Most roles are double-cast. This year, in our production of The Magic Flute, the Knaben/Spirits will be sung by three young women. Most Artists also sing in the ensemble for The Magic Flute, and all participate in the concert and late-night cabaret programs as well.

  • Fees for tuition, including individual coachings and voice lessons as well as group sessions, are $3,000 US for five weeks (prices are quoted in US dollars but can be paid in a variety of currencies).

  • A number of full- and partial-scholarships will be available.

  • Auditions can be submitted as online video recordings. Live auditions also take place in a limited number of cities. This year, auditions were held in early November & December in Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Villefranche-de-Rougergue (France), in London (UK), and Denton, Texas (USA).

    The application fee is $25. Audition times can be scheduled online through YAPTracker.

    We still have some openings for roles in The Magic Flute for Summer 2024. To inquire about participating in our program, please email us at the info@lyricartsfrance.org.

  • Final deadline for submission for recorded auditions for Summer 2024 was 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Acceptance, casting, and scholarship offers were communicated by February 29, 2024.

    To inquire about late admisison into our Summer 2024 program, please email us at the info@lyricartsfrance.org.

Young Artist Program