The Gate City Bank Young Artist Program was founded in 2013. The goal of the Young Artist Program is to enrich young artists through training and stage experience that will enhance their performing abilities as they advance in their singing careers. The program also has a dedicated director/pianist and stage director to work with these young artists while they are with FM Opera. In addition, artists work with a variety of guest artists, stage directors and the FM Opera General Director.
Now in it's 10th year, this program is the first of its kind in the region, bringing groups of young professionals to Fargo from late January through April of each year. The Young Artists will perform at schools, community events and will be featured in two Fargo Moorhead Opera productions in the 2023-2024: lead roles in their own production of Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” and roles in Puccini’s "Turandot".
This Young Artist Program is funded by a generous grant from Gate City Bank with additional assistance from the Twin Cities Opera Guild and Anda Properties.
The location for the Gate City Bank Young Artist Program with the Fargo-Moorhead Opera is in Fargo, ND USA, an typically runs from early February to mid-April.
During their time here the Fargo-Moorhead Opera Young Artists will participate in and receive:
Coaching in standard operatic repertoire. Each Young Artist will be expected to learn at least one major role in its entirety.
Career training seminars include audition techniques, vocal wellness, marketing, diction and acting.
Covers of leading roles in mainstage production as appropriate.
Consideration for comprimario roles in mainstage production.
Staged scene concerts.
Serve as community ambassadors for the opera by participating in outreach programs in regional schools and at area businesses and community organizations.
Masterclasses with visiting guest artists.
Masterclasses with the General Director
Compensation
Artists will receive a weekly stipend, housing and a transportation allowance for the duration of the 2023--2024 season program.
What Young Artists have said...
“As a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Opera Young Artist Program in its inaugural year, the four of us were very fortunate. We were able to help shape the program in a way to be most helpful and valuable to our needs as young singers. We were treated as professionals in every situation, with our time and talents being utilized to the fullest. The encouraging environment created by David Hamilton and Eric McEnaney allowed us take the risks necessary to grow as artists, and learn more about our strengths and weaknesses. I am forever grateful to FM Opera for the months of intense study and self-exploration among wonderful and talented colleagues.”
“The FM Opera Young Artist program allowed me to spend 10 weeks to focus on building important skills such as Stagecraft, and vocal technique and spend time coaching and polishing new repertoire. In addition it allowed me to learn from and work with industry professionals to help hone those skills both in one on one coachings and on stage. I cannot speak highly enough about the time I spent there and what I was able to take away from the program when I was finished. I would highly recommend it to any young artist or emerging professional singer.”