"LA Opera's new Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program will help ensure the highest standards of performance not only at LA Opera, but at opera companies around the world."
Plácido Domingo, Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, LA Opera

Created and overseen by Plácido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, The Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program is a two- to three-year paid residency for singers and pianists of exceptional talent who are currently in transition from academic training to a professional career in opera. The Program is designed to support the future of opera by discovering and developing the talents of exceptionally gifted young artists to become performers of potentially international stature, who will be valuable assets to LA Opera and to companies around the world. LA Opera uses its resources to provide extensive training for the Domingo-Thornton Young Artists and also gives them the opportunity to further develop their skills in main-stage roles, as principal artists' covers, and in Young Artist concerts and productions. Program participants work full-time on their artistic development during the critical stage between the end of their formal academic or conservatory training and the onset of steady performing careers.

The Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program's training component comprises individualized courses for each artist in the areas of musical coaching, voice lessons, language studies, acting, and dance. The artists work with Maestro Domingo, members of the LA Opera music staff, and with guest coaches.

Applications for the 2010-2011 Season must be postmarked by September 15, 2009. Applicants selected to participate in semi-final and final auditions will be notified by October 15, 2009. Semi-final and final auditions will take place in Los Angeles in late November or early December, 2009.