The Opera Academy

Career Development Programme
The Queen Sonja Singing Competition has initiated a new career development programme aimed at singing students in Norway. The programme includes modules that prepare students to meet and master key requirements and expectations from the opera industry. The programme includes modules that are not a part of institutional music education.

The programme is developed in a collaboration between the Queen Sonja Singing Competition, the Norwegian Academy of Music, and Oslo National Academy of the Arts (The Academy of Opera). The programme’s duration is from August to June.

Photo: Marius Nyheim Kristoffersen

Modules and Content
Participants are invited to partake in modules with physical sessions for master classes and lectures in Oslo, in addition to digital sessions with personal follow-up.

The programme is led by renowned national and international educators with extensive experience from Norwegian and international opera houses. The themes include:

  • Building a sustainable opera career
  • Coping under pressure: auditions and competitions
  • Mental health and resilience
  • Artistic communication through digital media
  • New scenic demands and expectations from the opera industry
  • Values for communication in building your own brand
  • Masterclasses with national and international educators

How many singers are in the programme?
The programme is designed for five singers who are offered guidance and instruction throughout the season (August-June). The upper age limit is 25 years.

The Opera Academy and Sparebankstiftelsen DNB
It is a great pleasure that Sparebankstiftelsen DNB has decided to support the operation of the Opera Academy in 2024. The support enables us to offer singing students a unique programme for the development of sustainable careers.

The support is intended as a pilot project in 2024. Together with the singers in the programme, we will show that the support from Sparebankstiftelsen produces results!