Here are some plain and simple answers to the questions people are asking. We hope that this helps clear up any concerns or questions you may have, but if you need more information, please contact us directly.

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY?

When you sing for the NYIOP Auditions you will be singing for casting-level representatives from International opera houses and festivals and others. The auditions are scheduled at certain time intervals but the actual audition process will vary from person to person according to the choices of the attending representative panel.

HOW MANY ARIAS WILL I SING?

Just like any other audition, you will begin with an aria of your choice. After that, as with any other audition, the attending representatives will choose the subsequent arias they wish to hear, if any. We stress to each member of the panel that any ONE person wishing to hear additional selections has the right to make the request and it will be honored. However, you are never guaranteed two arias – you are guaranteed the audition slot.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY?

Due to the large number of cancellations at the last minute and the unwillingness of singers on the waiting list to sing on a few hours notice, we have been forced to adopt a stringent cancellation policy.

* Any singer canceling 48 hours prior to the first day of auditions, will be assessed a $150.00 processing and cancellation fee. The remainder of the fee will be returned to the singer, no later than 2 weeks after the final audition date, for the session they are canceling.

* Any singer canceling less than 48 hours prior to the first day of auditions will receive $150.00 of their audition fee returned to them, no later than 2 weeks after the final audition date, for the session they are canceling.

We understand that this policy is quite stern, but we have spent a great deal of energy, time and money trying to provide you the very best opportunity possible. It is unfair to all involved when there are last-minute cancellations and during the final days before a session, we simply do not have time to find other singers that would have been happy to sing if given adequate notice.

WILL I RECEIVE ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE ATTENDEES?

We have tried to structure the NYIOP Auditions to provide the maximum flexibility with time, thus making it possible for the panel to give specific feedback to a singer should they choose to do so. Each representative is made aware that feedback is greatly appreciated and they are encouraged to offer any suggestions or impressions to the singer after their audition. In addition, within a day or two following each audition session, each singer or agent is emailed a complete list of the representatives attending their audition with contact information. A singer is welcome and encouraged to follow up and request specific information from each of the representatives attending. Please email us at info@nyiop.com and inquire if you need further information.

CAN THE ATTENDEES CAST ON THE SPOT?

Some can. Some cannot. Each house runs differently and this issue is based solely on the procedures and policies of the house. Anyone attending the NYIOP Auditions must be either the Intendant, Operndirektor or be a direct designee of the house upper management and the Intendant must complete the NYIOP Casting-Level Representative Commitment to assure us, and you, that only the people that have authority will attend the NYIOP Auditions. In many cases, the person coming will indeed have on-the-spot casting ability and in several cases in the past, contracts were indeed offered. In other cases, the person attending can only move you to the final step of a house audition in Europe.

WILL I NEED TO BRING MY OWN PIANIST?

We do not cover the cost of audition pianists. However, NYIOP does provide a list of very accomplished pianists from New York City. This list is found on the website under Singer Information. Of course, you are welcome to bring your on pianist if you wish.

I AM NOT MANAGED. CAN I STILL AUDITION?

The NYIOP Auditions are open to all singers; managed and unmanaged. All singers who apply to be heard in a NYIOP Preview Audition will be scheduled and these Preview Auditions will be attended by both casting directors and agents – so it is possible that you could get a job AND an agent in your NYIOP Audition!

WHAT DO I DO AFTER THE AUDITIONS?

After the auditions, the representatives from the opera houses will contact singers directly or via their management if they wish to make a contract offer or engage in further discussion. NYIOP is not involved in any way with negotiating contracts.

WHAT DO I DO IF THE SESSION IS CANCELED?

For every session we do, we strive beyond our powers that we never cancel a session. In our entire history we have only had to reschedule one period due to a natural catastrophe. In the event that one has to be canceled, if it is due to OUR cause then we will either issue a 100% credit for a new session or a refund. If the cancelation is due to force majeure/Act of God and is beyond our control, the session will be rescheduled and each registered singer will receive a full credit and be scheduled in the postponed dates. In the event of a force majeure/Act of God there will be no refunds issued under any circumstances, however other options may be offered to those who cannot attend the postponed dates. In any event, in case of a cancellation or postponement, you will receive a full credit toward any NYIOP session in the future. All of these circumstances will be handled as they happen and dealt with on a one by one basis.

THE NYIOP CASTING LEVEL COMMITMENT

All of the representatives coming to the final NYIOP Auditions from the houses are casting level representatives and their houses have positions to fill in the current and upcoming seasons. Most of the representatives are in charge of casting hundreds of performances a year and usually stay in the opera business for years to come, so the long-term benefit of singing for these directors can be substantial. Representatives of numerous international opera houses or festivals will attend each audition session. In many cases they are the sole casting authority in the house. In other cases, they are one of several people who have a voice in casting decisions. This varies in each house and there is no certain guarantee that anyone attending, even if they are indeed the sole casting authority, will offer contract “on the spot.” However, during the past NYIOP Auditions, a number of contracts were offered on the spot. Many singers were asked to travel to Europe for a final house audition as a stipulation of being offered a contract.

WHAT ARE THE NYIOPS?

The NYIOP Auditions provide a way for professional opera singers to audition for international opera festivals and houses of all levels in one convenient. The NYIOP Auditions take place several times per season in New York City and also several times per season in other international cultural centers. Audition tours usually cost thousands of dollars and can last several months. In addition, a “successful” audition tour could net only a few house auditions over the span of several months. With the NYIOPs all of that has changed. Singing for the NYIOP Auditions matches the best-case outcome of an audition tour and all at a fraction of the cost. In addition, many of the houses who attend the NYIOP Auditions now know the value of these days and wait to cast their open roles until they hear who is coming to the NYIOPs!

WHO WILL HEAR ME?

All of the representatives coming to the final NYIOP Auditions from the houses are Casting Level Representatives [internal link to Casting Level Rep on FAQs] and their houses have positions to fill in the current and upcoming seasons. Most of the representatives are in charge of casting hundreds of performances a year and usually stay in the opera business for years to come, so the long- term benefit of singing for these directors can be substantial. Representatives of numerous international opera houses or festivals will attend each audition session.

The NYIOP Preview Audition Panel will consist a number of European casting directors, North American casting directors, agents and NYIOP Staff or invited consultants. All decisions by the NYIOP Screening Panel are final. All decisions of whom we hear at any period during the audition process are solely at NYIOP’s discretion, and this includes the NYIOP Preview Auditions.