Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program
2025-2026 Emerging Artists
The Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program provides training, performance opportunities, and access to industry connections and resources to a group of opera’s talented rising stars. As one of the most competitive training programs in the nation, the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program receives over 700 applicants annually. Emerging Artists appear in Virginia Opera mainstage productions, tour in fully-staged educational programs, and perform in recitals, donor events, and the VO Master Teacher Series. In addition, Emerging Artists receive regular coachings with VO’s artistic staff, including Artistic Director Adam Turner, as well as guest conductors and mainstage artists. Recent alumni of the Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program include: Megan Marino, David Blalock, Courtney Miller, David Pershall, Brian Jagde, Jeni Houser, Shannon Jennings-Holman, and Nathan Stark.
2025-2026 Emerging Artists
Maggie Kinabrew, Soprano
Melanie Dubil, Mezzo-Soprano
Daniel Esteban Lugo, Tenor
Adam Partridge, Baritone
Applications & Auditions
Emerging Artists
Applications for auditions for the 2026-2027 season are closed. Applications will open for the 2027-2028 season in late summer 2026 on YAP Tracker.
Apprentice Coaches
There are currently no scheduled auditions for Apprentice Coach positions. Please contact Rachel Ginzberg with inquiries.
Singers
The Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists Program provides exceptionally talented artists with a seasonal residency program that offers an extensive schedule of performing opportunities in the context of a professional training program. Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists receive weekly compensation plus housing and transportation to Virginia.
Virginia Opera is committed to finding and training the outstanding artists of tomorrow. Those selected to participate in the program will be challenged and supported by an outstanding staff. The Program offers significant opportunities for professional growth for those truly committed to the field of opera.
Performance Opportunities
Virginia Opera’s Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists perform leading and comprimario roles and/or cover leading roles in the company’s mainstage productions. Further, some Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists perform leading roles in fully-staged Education and Community Outreach productions, touring schools throughout the state of Virginia. Community concerts and company promotional events offer artists the opportunity to perform standard arias and ensembles in concerts with piano. In addition, Virginia Opera has a rich history of re-engaging Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists for mainstage productions in future seasons
Study Opportunities
Each participant receives regular coachings with members of Virginia Opera’s Artistic Staff, which include Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Adam Turner, Director of Emerging Artists, Associate Conductor & Chorus Master Brandon Eldredge, and various guest conductors, directors, and mainstage singers. Masterclasses are held throughout the season covering topics such as résumé preparation, career management, auditioning techniques, stagecraft, and foreign languages.
Apprentice Coaches
Education and Community Outreach Performance Opportunities
Apprentice Coaches must serve as musical directors and pianists for Education and Community Outreach productions, including selected evenings of Arias & Duets. Coaches learn the basics of artistic administration and company management by serving as tour managers for VO’s statewide touring educational programs.
Study Opportunities
Each participant receives coachings from Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Adam Turner and Director of Emerging Artists, Associate Conductor & Chorus Master Brandon Eldredge. Coaches will receive training and support from administrative staff to aid in tour management. The in-house artistic staff offers classes in resume preparation and auditioning techniques during the course of the season. Master classes are held with visiting stage directors and other distinguished guests throughout the season.
Candidate Qualifications
Apprentice coaches should have attained at least a Bachelor of Music degree in piano and have exceptional experience in vocal accompanying. Graduate work is strongly preferred. Individuals should be capable of managing artists on tour and overseeing non-artistic aspects of the Virginia Opera’s Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Program.