RBO Youth Opera Programmes
Applications for the RBO Youth Opera Programmes are now open.
About
The Royal Ballet and Opera Youth Opera Programme introduces young people aged 8–13 to vocal training and the world of opera in a welcoming, supportive and inspiring environment. Our programmes nurture singing skills, creativity and confidence through training and performance opportunities.
Rooted in inclusion and access, we actively welcome young people from all backgrounds and work to reflect the diversity of our communities. For some, this is the start of a pathway into further training. For others, it is about building confidence, friendships and the joy of making music together. For all our young singers, it is a place to grow and find their voices.
RBO Youth Opera Programme is divided into two strands:
RBO Young Voices (Ages 8-9)
RBO Young Voices is a singing training programme which develops participants’ musical understanding and vocal skills, and offers performance opportunities in showcases at the Royal Opera House. This programme serves as a springboard for those who wish to continue on their singing journey - no previous experience is needed, just enthusiasm and curiosity.
More information
RBO Youth Opera Company (Ages 9-13)
The Youth Opera Company offers participants all-round training in the performing arts, covering vocal technique, language coaching, stage craft, musical literacy and creative skills. Participants on the programme have the opportunity to audition for the Children’s Chorus who perform in productions on the Royal Opera House Main Stage, as well as creating and performing their own new operas.
More information
Apply
Applications to join the Youth Opera Programme for the 2026/2027 season are now open and will close at midnight Sunday 10 May 2026.
We invite young singers to apply for our Youth Opera Programmes: Young Voices and the Youth Opera Company. Applicants must be aged 8 to 11 years old (inclusive) on 1 September 2026 (currently in Years 3-5), and live within Greater London, or within an hour of travel time to the Royal Opera House. Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- A passion for and commitment to singing
- An interest in drama and performing skills
- An enthusiasm for teamwork and collaboration
We particularly welcome applications from those typically under-represented within classical youth singing programmes including those who are from global majority heritages, lower-income backgrounds, those who identify as boys and disabled children.
How to apply
Before you begin applying, we recommend that applicants watch the two introductory videos below to learn more about our Youth Opera Programmes.
Our application process requires you to learn a short audition song called ‘A man stood in the forest’, and then a parent/guardian must complete an online form - please follow instructions below.
Step 1: Learn our short audition song ‘A man stood in the forest’ (please see the Audition Video Guide below)
Step 2: Film your ‘A man stood in the forest’ audition video
Step 3: Complete our online application form and upload your audition video via an open accessible link e.g. Dropbox, Google drive, YouTube.
If you have any access requirements for submitting your application, please email youthopera@roh.org.uk
Audition Process
All application forms must be filled out by a parent or guardian on behalf of the young singer wanting to audition. Please note that our application form may take up to 30-minutes to complete, in addition to the young singer learning ‘A man stood in the forest’ and filming their audition video.
Please submit your application by midnight on Sunday 10 May 2026. Should you experience any issues completing the application form, please contact youthopera@roh.org.uk in advance of the deadline. Please note that we are unable to accept any late applications.
Our Youth Opera team review all applications once the deadline has passed. Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, all outcomes will be shared by Friday 29 May 2026.
YOUTH OPERA PROGRAMME AUDITIONS
Successful applicants will be invited to attend a friendly in-person audition workshop at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on the following dates:
Saturday 13 June 2026 (morning): Young Voices audition workshops
Sunday 14 June 2026 (all day): Young Voices and Youth Opera Company auditions workshops
Monday 15 June 2026 (after school): Youth Opera Company (only) callback workshops
Applicants must be available for the audition dates as required above to be considered for the Youth Opera Programmes. We are unable to accept audition videos in place of the in-person auditions, and are unable to offer alternative audition dates.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AN AUDITION
Young singers invited to attend in-person auditions will participate in a one-hour workshop alongside approximately 30 other children, featuring a mix of music and drama activities. They will be asked to sing and perform in both large and small group settings, with some groups as small as two or three participants. Our goal is to ensure that these auditions are an educational and enjoyable experience for all, regardless of the outcome.
All auditionees will be made aware of the outcome from their audition by Wednesday 17 June. We regret that we are unable to offer audition feedback to individuals after due to the high volume of participants.
Recent work
The Wish Thief (July 2025)
The Wish Thief was commissioned by the RBO Youth Opera Company as part of their ‘Making Opera for Younger Audiences’ project.
Written by Jonathan Ainscough and composed by Leighton Jones, the Youth Opera Company shaped the making of the piece, having selected it as a concept they were interested in developing into a staged opera in the Linbury Theatre.
The Sapling
The Sapling was a brand new opera commissioned by the Royal Opera House for the RBO Youth Opera Company, written by Jonathan Ainscough and composed by Jonathan Briggin in collaboration with the YOC.
Performed in the Linbury Theatre in July 2023, The Sapling tells its story through the words and voices of the Youth Opera Company, supported by professional singers and musicians.
Imagine a world where all living things – humans, animals, trees alike – dwell together in perfect harmony, until a mighty storm changes everything; imagine a world in the shape of a monstrous Tower, where those at the top control the lives and voices of those beneath; imagine a world at the very end of the universe, where the artefacts of the past offer a glimpse of the future… The Sapling spans centuries and generations, crossing time and space to explore the consequences of greed, the oppression of silence and the fragile nature of hope.
The Youth Opera Company is supported by Yvonne and Bjarne Rieber