Berlin Opera Academy

starting Winter Semester 2025

BOA offers a rigorous, full-time course designed to get you audition-ready in Germany. Our immersive, results-driven approach focuses only on the essential training you need to progress. While living in Berlin, you’ll build working-level fluency in German, refine your craft through intensive vocal and stage training, perform roles with orchestra, prepare and professionally record your audition package, and perform for an industry panel offering feedback and potential opportunities. Every element of the curriculum is purpose-built to support your next step: auditioning and working in Germany.

COURSEWORK INCLUDES

Weekly Career-Prep Seminar
Refine & Record Audition Package
Audition for Agent Panel

Intensive Daily German Classes
Real-life Cultural Immersion Experience
Gain a strong linguistic foundation for auditions and work

Build Professional-level Performance Confidence
Train Stagecraft and Audition Skills
Coach and Perform Roles

Berlin Opera Academy is in the process of application for accreditation and state recognition as a higher education institution in Germany. The Opera School course upholds the rigorous standards of master’s programs at state-recognized universities and comparable international institutions.

FACULTY

Mark Sampson
Artistic Director

Voice teacher, Bass in German "A" houses, founder of several successful summer academies

Jessica Farrell
Artistic Administrator & Co-Founder

Administrator of Summer Music Programs in US and Europe, Graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Stefania Dovhan
Voice Masterclass Instructor

Soprano soloist at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the New York City Opera, Portland Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera

Kim-Lillian Strebel
Visiting Instructor

British/Swiss soprano who has received critical acclaim for her performances in prestigious opera productions, including her US debut as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte and her recent roles in Carmen and Rinaldo

Tom Seligman
Conductor

Conductor at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London since 2010 and heard on BBC

Carlos Spierer
Conductor

Guest Conductor and Teacher at renowned opera houses such as San Francisco Opera, Frankfurt Opera & Komische Oper Berlin

Volker Giese
Agent Auditions

Artist manager and agent in the German opera scene, founder and head of CICADA con since 1999

Will Kelley
Visiting Instructor

Conductor and pianist, currently a Kapellmeister and Korrepetitor at the Luzerner Theater

APPLICATION PROCESS // SINGERS & RÉPÉTITEURS

Step 1: Submit the Application fee using the PayPal button below.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form.

Step 3: After reviewing auditions and application materials, the admissions committee will decide on the invitation to the qualifying interview. In an interview, questions regarding motivation, previous training, development perspectives and character are discussed.

Application Deadline: April 30th, 2025

Singer Audition Repertoire: 2 arias in varying style and language.

Répétiteur Audition Repertoire: 2 recordings, selected from a short solo piece, one operatic scene from Mozart, including secco recitative involving at least two characters (not arias only) or an excerpt from La Bohème, Act IV.

TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Tuition per semester: 15800 Euro
for 38 Class Units per week plus production rehearsals

A full tuition waiver is available for all Répétiteur students.

Successful Repetiteur Applicants are required to submit a refundable security deposit of 950€ to confirm their position at BOA. This will be refunded upon successful completion of the course.

BOA Staff assist full-time participants to get settled in Berlin, including helping with finding accommodation and health insurance assistance through collaborative local partners.

Thanks to our donors, we are able to offer scholarships to a handful of successful singer applicants to go towards their tuition.

SINGERS // YEAR-ROUND

introducing year-round Opera School at BERLIN OPERA ACADEMY