The Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus is a program for children who want to enrich their musical learning experience through participation in an Operatic Music Appreciation Program. It also provides the opportunity for children to audition for a singing role in the Met's productions. Boys and girls between the ages of seven (7) and ten (10) years are invited to apply for an audition in order to gain entrance into the Children's Chorus program.

There is no fee for a child to participate in this program. However, even though participation is voluntary, it is expected that the child will attend classes on a regular basis, starting here:

Summer Classes for Beginners

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings, 9:30—10:45, July 10—27, singing skills for the big stage,
• continuing August 7—31, skills with basic repertoire.

During the school year it is expected that the child will attend classes that are held twice per week as follows:

• Beginners' Class meets on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, or on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, as assigned by the Director.
• Beginners' Class meets on a twice-weekly basis from early September through mid-June.
• Advanced Class meets on a twice-weekly basis from August through mid-June.

Children in the Advanced Class only are permitted to audition for a singing role in productions. When a child is invited to perform in a production, the parents will be asked to commit to the child's attendance at all costume fittings, rehearsals and performances, except for reasons of illness.

The Met performs on Monday through Saturday nights and on Saturday and certain Sunday afternoons. Operas are rarely repeated on successive nights; instead, an opera may be performed two or three times in a week and may run for four or six weeks of performances.

For each production there are usually five or six studio rehearsals held after school, evenings or Saturdays, followed by an equal number of onstage rehearsals – weekdays between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm – scheduled in compliance with New York State child labor law.

Request Audition

Aida Acolyte Children (Young Male Performers with Dance Ability)

Aida

Music by Giuseppe Verdi.
Production director, Michael Mayer.
Conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
Choreographer, Oleg Glushkov

The Metropolitan Opera is seeking children with a strong dance ability for rehearsals and performances of a new production of Aida in the late fall 2024 through early spring of 2025.

Seeking: 8 children (boys) plus 4 covers. Children should preferably be no taller than 4/4.5 feet, to portray young acolytes. They should have strong technical skills in both ballet and contemporary and should be able to learn and retain choreography. Gymnastics skills are a plus, but not necessary.

*Children must be 6 years of age before November 1, 2025.

For more information, please visit https://www.metopera.org/user-information/synopses-archive/aida

The child actors must be available for all rehearsals and performances.

Administrative information

All children will be required to have a Child Performer Permit from the Department of Labor. This is a free application and can be completed online for the first time 15-day permit.

Children will be paid $16 per hour for all calls; fittings, rehearsal, tutoring – with a two-hour minimum. We are currently looking at a performance fee of $250 per performance for both cast and cover.

Contact for general Children's Chorus information, scheduling, and administrative Questions:

Alicia Edwards, Administrator, Children’s Chorus - aedwards@metopera.org

Salome

Music by Richard Strauss
Production director, Claus Guth
Choreographer, Sommer Ulrickson
Conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin/Derrick Inouye

The Metropolitan Opera is seeking female children between the ages of 6 – 16 with strong dance and acting ability for rehearsals and performances of a new production of Salome in the early spring of 2025 through the end of May 2025.

Seeking: 6 – 12 girls to perform or cover all performances. Children will portray younger versions of the singer performing the role of Salome. Children should have strong technical skills in both ballet and contemporary and should be able to learn and retain choreography.

*Children must be 6 years of age before January 1, 2025.

For more information, please visit https://www.metopera.org/season/2024-25-season/salome/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ezsrNvPiAMV5Hd_AB3tLClFEAAYASAAEgILO_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

The child actors must be available for all rehearsals and performances.

Administrative information

All children will be required to have a Child Performer Permit from the Department of Labor. This is a free application and can be completed online for the first time 15-day permit.

Children will be paid at a rate of $16/hour for all measurements, fittings, rehearsals and tutoring. Performance fee will be at least $500/performance regardless of performer or cover status.

Contact for general Children's Chorus information, scheduling, and administrative Questions:

Alicia Edwards, Administrator, Children’s Chorus - aedwards@metopera.org