National Opera Company to Select 8th Cohort of Youth Education Group Members

Approximately 52 Members to Be Selected Across 8 Fields
Applications Open Until June 6

On May 21, the National Opera Company announced that it will be selecting the 8th cohort of Youth Education Group members for the National Opera Studio, as part of its initiative to foster the next generation of opera professionals.

This educational program is a practice-oriented professional training course that encapsulates the National Opera Company's 60 years of production expertise. Notably, starting this year, new fields such as stage design and props, lighting, and costumes have been added. A total of eight fields are now available: vocal music, music coach (pianist), conducting, directing, stage management, stage design and props, stage lighting, and stage costumes. Approximately 52 young members will be selected.

For the music coach field, a single practical test will be conducted. The vocal music field requires two rounds of practical tests. The conducting (video submission), directing, and stage arts fields will be selected solely through document screening.

Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 34 as of the announcement date, and must have graduated (or be expected to graduate) from a university or graduate school in a related field. The application deadline is June 6.

A scene from the National Opera Company's Youth Education Group's performance of Bat
Photo by National Opera Company

Those selected through the audition process will participate in an educational program and a completion recital, totaling approximately 150 hours over five months from August to December. The curriculum includes specialized practical training by field, master classes, and job-related education. In particular, a total of 7.5 million won in educational support (1.5 million won per person, per month) will be provided. Outstanding participants, based on evaluations, will be given opportunities to participate as production staff or appear as supporting, minor, or cover roles in opera company productions.

Further details can be found on the National Opera Company website.

Choi Sangho, Director of the National Opera Company, stated, "We have expanded the curriculum to include stage arts in order to reflect the complex and comprehensive nature of opera. In particular, through exchanges with the Deutsche Oper Berlin last year and in the first half of this year, we have also provided opportunities for graduates to advance overseas. We hope this will be an opportunity for young people who will lead the next generation of opera to take their first steps both domestically and internationally through professional education."