Filene Artists

About the Filene Artist Program

Unlike most residency programs, Wolf Trap Opera casts all principal roles with emerging artists. Filene Artists get to experience the rigorous demands—and of course the thrill—of performing center stage in expertly produced operas.

The most dramatic evidence of WTO’s artist-driven philosophy is its audition and casting process. WTO is one of the only companies in the world to select each season’s operas after choosing singers and determining their strengths.

Who Are Filene Artists?

Filene Artists are emerging singers at an interim point between young artist training and full-time professional careers. Selected annually from a highly competitive pool, these 15–20 Filene Artists are graduates of professional degree programs from top universities and conservatories, and have often sung in year-long emerging artist programs or high level summer apprenticeships. Many have already won prestigious awards and are on their way to significant careers. 

Interested in applying? Start here.

If you are just beginning graduate study or haven’t done a paid emerging artist residency program, it’s probably too early to be competitive for the Filene Artist program. Conversely, if it has been more than two years since you were last involved in a full-time emerging artist program, you have already moved beyond program’s reach. You may be a better fit for the Studio Artist program.