The Jette Parker Artists Programme is a sought-after course for curious artists of exceptional talent who want to intensify their professional development and take their first steps on the international stage.
Conductors, stage directors, singers and répétiteurs can audition for a two-year contract with The Royal Opera or The Royal Ballet, or apply for a variety of practical training opportunities offered by the Programme.
Alumni of the Programme are regularly invited back to the Royal Opera House as guest artists and coaches.
Jette Parker Artists
The first young artists company was established in September 2001 as a company of six singers, the Vilar Young Artists. In 2002 positions for conductors, répétiteurs and pianists were added to the programme, with stage directors joining in 2005. In 2006/7 the programme became the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, and in 2022/23 the Jette Parker Artists Programme.
Find out more about the 2024/25 Jette Parker Artists.
About the programme
The Jette Parker Artists Programme seeks to provide opportunities for artists of outstanding potential who want to intensify their professional development and advance their careers. They work alongside The Royal Opera’s Engender network to deliver gender parity in the opera sector, through courses, commissioning projects and networking events.
Audition
Auditions for the Jette Parker Artists Programme singers are held every Season and for stage directors, opera and ballet conductors and opera répétiteurs every second Season.
Other opportunities such as short courses, observerships and training opportunities are available via the Programme. Applications take place throughout the year and are offered to those wishing to further their professional development.
History of the Programme
The Jette Parker Artists Programme was launched in September 2001. Six singers were put forward by agents and others in the opera world, and then chosen from auditions in late 2000/early 2001. Since then, auditions by application have been held annually in November and December to select new artists to start the following September. Each singer is contracted for two years and as such, every Season half of the cohort on the Programme are in their first year while the other half is in their second.
The first music staff auditions were held early in 2002 and a conductor and répétiteur selected to start in September 2002. Since then, music staff auditions have been held every other year to replace those leaving at the end of their two-year contract. A stage director position was created in 2002, with auditions taking place every two years. Since 2008, there has been the option of appointing a conductor or pianist to work mainly with The Royal Ballet.
Contact
For more information about the Programme, contact the Administrator at JPAPassistant@roh.org.uk.
The Jette Parker Artists Programme is generously supported by Oak Foundation.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)