Vocal Institutes
·
Vocal Institutes ·
2026 Applications Are Now Open!
June 16 - July 11, 2026
Opera Institute
The MMF Opera Institute offers passionate young singers a program of varied and intensive training designed to develop the full scope of skills necessary in the professional arena.
The Opera Institute is designed to give singers "real-time" experience learning and producing professional-level operas on stage with an orchestra. Participants work with renowned faculty, conductors, stage directors, coaches, and voice teachers from prominent institutions including the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass, Florida Grand Opera, the Bolshoi, and the Royal Philharmonic, among others. Each session concludes with full-scale productions with the MMF Orchestra, prepared by our production team of professional directors, designers, and costumers. Many performances are reviewed by South Florida's arts critics. Following the festival, participants have the option of purchasing a professional video recording.
In addition to performing in MMF opera productions, singers receive weekly vocal lessons, professional coachings, and a breadth of performance opportunities including opera aria, musical theater, and Zarzuela at a variety of venues across South Florida such as The Betsy Hotel-South Beach, New World Center, Ocean Drive Promenade, and many others.
Apprentice Program
2026 Production
Cendrillon | Jules Massenet
Designed for the advanced collegiate or pre-professional singer, the MMF Apprentice Artist Program provides singers the experience of preparing and performing a role in a full-scale opera production. The program and productions are designed to reflect the standards and practices of a professional opera company. Apprentice singers are expected to arrive with their assigned role learned, memorized, and off-book.
Participants are also guaranteed participation in at least two masterclasses. Along with weekly voice lessons and coachings, Apprentice singers attend intensive masterclasses, seminars and lectures covering a range of topics including navigating the world of young artist programs, career management, and musicianship. Past Masterclasses have included Dolora Zajick, Christine Goerke, Michael Heaston, Waren Jones, Linda Watson, Alan Held, Eglise Gutierrez, Bradley Moore, and Anthony Manoli, as well as our resident faculty of conductors, directors, vocal instructors, and coaches.
Immersive Opera Productions
Miami Music Festival’s Immersive Opera Productions use state-of-the-art projection mapping technology to transform the stage into a living, 360-degree visual masterpiece. This groundbreaking production style surrounds both performers and audiences within the world of the opera, heightening dramatic expression and storytelling. MMF offers a thrilling opportunity to perform at the intersection of classical artistry and cutting-edge innovation — an experience that is as visually stunning as it is musically inspiring. MMF was the first live theater company to design and present an entire opera in a fully immersive theater setting.
Vocal Collaborative Piano Institute
A select group of pianists will have the opportunity to participate in the Vocal Collaborative Piano Institute on full scholarship with housing. Pianists interested in gaining knowledge and experience in the operatic field as vocal coaches, accompanists, repetiteurs, assistant conductors and prompters will have the unique opportunity to study and work alongside leading professionals from the opera industry.
2026 Faculty
TUITION AND FEES
Apprentice Program $3,950.00
Registration Fee $250.00
HOUSING FEES
Apprentice Program
Quad, 4 people per apartment. 2 people per room: $1,100.00
Double, 2 people per apartment, 1 person per room: $2,200.00
Entire Apartment: $4,400.00
Tradewinds Apartment Hotel is directly across the street from Miami Music Festival’s rehearsal spaces and less than a 5 minute walk to the beach. Miami residents who choose to reside at home do not pay housing fees.
VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Video of Performances: MMF will live stream and record each opera production for participants to use.
Photos of Performances: MMF will take photos of dress rehearsals, performances, and sometimes staging or music rehearsals. The items can and will be used for promotion of concerts and in future advertisements. MMF will give you access to all official photos taken at the festival by our staff after the conclusion of the festival. These photos will be watermarked with the MMF Logo. You are welcome to use these photos for social media, website, or other self-promotional use. However, you may not alter, crop, or remove the MMF official logo from the photo.
2026 AUDITION LOCATIONS & DATES
Miami, FL
Sunday, January 25
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
New York, NY — Day 1
Friday, January 30
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
New York, NY — Day 2
Saturday, January 31
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Video Submission Audition
Submit by February 15
HOW TO APPLY
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
All singers should prepare two (2) contrasting arias
Video recordings should be recorded during the last year and must not contain any audio edits.
Video Solos and Excerpts can be in different links and takes. Please make sure video links are not set to private.
APPLICATION FEES
Video Audition: $10.00
Live Audition: $25.00
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Video Audition Submission: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Live Audition Deadline: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
APPLY NOW
·
APPLY NOW ·
Singers and Collaborative Pianists
Voice and Piano Applicants who do not have a Yaptracker account can also apply directly on our website here.
Interns and Assistant Directors
What Makes MMF Different from other Opera Festivals?
-
MMF is the only training program that exclusively hires its alumni for performance opportunities outside of the summer festival. It is our goal to further advance the careers of our artists through this program.
-
MMF Opera Institute faculty and staff represent some of the finest experts in the industry and are selected based on artistic merit and eagerness to work with young musicians. Participants can expect to work with renowned vocal experts from the world's leading institutions including the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Houston Grand, Glimmerglass, Pittsburgh Opera, Florida Grand, among others.
-
The MMF Opera Institute utilizes the MMF Opera Orchestra for all mainstage opera productions. While many programs claim to use an orchestra, the majority use a small chamber ensemble. The MMF Opera Orchestra is dedicated to MMF Opera Institute productions.
-
The Opera Institute mounts professional-level, full-scale productions, prepared by the MMF production team of professional directors, lighting and set designers, and costumers. Participants perform before large public audiences and many shows are reviewed by South Florida's arts critics.
-
MMF is the first company to produce a full opera in a fully immersive theater setting using cutting-edge projection mapping technology. By seamlessly blending technology and artistry, MMF offers a mesmerizing fusion of music, visual effects, and storytelling. MMF's innovative approach to live performances pushes the boundaries of traditional concerts, setting a new standard for opera lovers that keeps audiences captivated and coming back for more.
-
Our vocal faculty and staff prepare students as if they are participants in a top-tier young artist program. In order to ensure everyone receives proper time and attention, unprepared singers may lose their roles. This allows the staff to focus on bringing out the highest level of artistry from every singer in the program instead of granting extra time to unprepared singers to make them “performance ready.”
-
MMF is able to offer more opportunity than any other program for less cost in large part because of its non-profit status and generous donors who support the festival. Every dollar received in tuition, donations, grants and ticket sales goes directly to the program, ensuring the highest quality of education and performance opportunities for the participants.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
The Miami Music Institute admits students of any race, color, creed, sex, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, family responsibility, national origin, ancestry, handicap, or religion to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Institute. It does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs or any other Institute-administered programs.
Vocal Instructor and Conductor
Metropolitan Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Opera