“Without a doubt, [Highlands Opera Studio attracts] the absolute highest standard of emerging operatic professional. I thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone and look forward to returning annually.”
– John Fisher, Director of Music Administration/Master Vocal Coach
Metropolitan Opera, NYC (Recently retired)
Highlands Opera Studio was established in 2007 by internationally acclaimed Canadian tenor, Richard Margison, and former Metropolitan Opera stage director, Valerie Kuinka, as a professional training program and performing arts organization to help young, highly qualified, emerging professional singers make the transition from University-level training, to the professional world of opera, both on the national and international level.
Operating 2 1/2 hours north of the GTA in the town of Haliburton, in the heart of the Haliburton Highlands, HOS has grown from a 3-week summer session in 2007, to a 5-week intensive summer program, providing advanced professional training, highly specialized coaching, and international networking opportunities through visiting opera professionals (vocal teachers/coaches, conductors, directors, agents, etc.), along with performance experience through several concerts, public masterclasses, and 2 fully-staged operas.
The program provides 6 hours of professional training a day, 6 days a week, including private coaching, masterclasses, auditions, seminars on related topics ('Finding an Agent', 'Financial Planning', etc.), and staging/music rehearsals.
Program Areas
The areas covered in individual sessions will include the following:
- Voice/Vocal Coaching
- Dramatic/intent & audition deportment
- Repertoire Study: Musical Style & Character Development
- German Art Song: Diction & Cultural Context
- Lyric Diction (all languages)
- Repertoire/career consultation – auditions, coping with fach (voice) change
- Career planning/strategies – coping with extended work stoppage
- Life Coaching – time-management, supporting emotional health, etc.
- Financial Management for performing artists – preparing your tax return
The areas covered in group discussion/seminars will include the following:
- Systemic Racism in Opera: Realities & Strategies for Change – hosted by members of the Highlands Opera Racial Equity Advisory Council (HOREAC)
- 'In Conversation with...' - multiple visiting Professional Consultants from all aspects of the industry (Artist Agents, General Directors, international Artists, etc.) offer insights into the current professional world from their perspective – always followed by an open Q&A
- Life Coaching – Introduction + weekly break-out small group sessions
- Financial Planning & Money Management for performing artists
- How to Find an Agent/How to Approach a Potential Employer
- Musical Style: eg. Approaching Bel Canto
DIVISIONS
APPRENTICE
(role study/small role/cover principal roles)
Age 19 – 23
PROFESSIONAL
(cast in principal role)
No age limit
INDEPENDENT STUDY
(pre-approved private project, role study, competition/audition tour preparation, etc.)
No age limit
ALL DIVISIONS PARTICIPATE IN ALL OTHER HOS ACTIVITIES
Program Costs
Every year approximately 15-17 program participants are chosen (singers, one apprentice collaborative pianist, one composer), through annual competitive national and international auditions which usually take place January/February.
If accepted, ALL CANADIANS ATTEND THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM FREE OF CHARGE. This covers ALL TUITION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & AUDITION OPPORTUNITIES, ACCOMMODATION, & 2 MEALS PER DAY, 6 days a week. Other meals are the responsibility of the participant.
The cost for international participants is CAD$5,000 for the full 4-week program, including housing, some meals, and all professional development opportunities as described above (costs prorated depending on length of stay). Limited scholarship funds are available for international applicants and are awarded on a merit basis.
The cost to HOS for each program participant is approximately $15,000 for the 4 week period. Funding is an urgent ongoing concern.
AUDITIONS
Audition registration for the 2026 Professional Program is now open! Click here to apply. If you're interested in being notified when future registrations open, please fill in your contact info below.
HIGHLANDS OPERA RACIAL EQUITY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS (HOREAC)
Suzanne Taffot, LLB, Soprano (HOS ‘17, ‘18)
Andrew Balfour, composer (Mishaabooz’s Realm, HOS commission, 2017)
Samuel Chan, baritone (HOS ‘16, ‘17)
Matthew Gamble, baritone (HOS ‘14, ‘17)
Chantale Nurse, soprano (HOS ‘14, ‘15)