1

Applicants must have completed their academic training.

2

They should have sung at least one professional engagement with an opera company, orchestra, or other organization using full orchestral accompaniment.

3

They must submit a copy of a contract or letter of intent for a professional, paid, solo engagement with full orchestra (not a cover) either after the audition date or in the six months prior to the auditions.

4

Singers coming to the end of full-year Young Artist Programs may be chosen to audition for Sullivan awards; if they are winners, their eligibility for role preparation grants can be deferred until they have graduated from those programs.

5

There is no age limit for applicants, but the Foundation is not seeking singers who already have well-established solo careers. Applicants may not have more than one past or upcoming contract for a leading or featured role (AGMA classifications) as an independent artist, excluding covers, with an OPERA America Budget Level I Company* or its international equivalent. If there are questions about what engagements fit these criteria, the Foundation’s application panel will make the final determination. If the Foundation discovers that singers have omitted relevant past or upcoming engagements, they will be disqualified from the auditions.

*OPERA America Budget Level 1 Companies: Washington National Opera; Seattle Opera; Santa Fe Opera; San Francisco Opera; Detroit Opera; Metropolitan Opera; Lyric Opera of Chicago; Los Angeles Opera; Houston Grand Opera; Dallas Opera; Canadian Opera Company

6

The Foundation welcomes applications from singers of all nationalities but focuses its support on singers affiliated with North American companies, programs, and educational institutions. Singers must be available to audition in New York, and the Foundation cannot provide visa assistance; singers without US tax status may be subject to withholding on awards and grants.

1

Application Form

2

One-page chronological resume

3

Photo

4

Professional Solo Contract or Letter of Intent – For a paid, professional solo engagement (no covers) with full orchestral accompaniment that opens after the audition dates or in the six months prior to the auditions.

5

Endorsement Letter – Written specifically for the Sullivan application by a music professional who is well-acquainted with the singer’s qualifications and – ideally – has engaged them as a performer. Current or former personal voice teachers, coaches, managers, and Sullivan trustees are not eligible to write endorsement letters.

6

Videos – Two arias in contrasting styles and two different languages performed with piano accompaniment.