The Hawai’i Performing Arts Festival is a training program that provides the necessary tools for young, aspiring singers. The opportunity to hone one’s craft on the Big Island is something magical! Being a part of the Hawai’i Performing Arts Festival was an experience of a lifetime for me: I made long lasting friendships, relationships with mentors and now colleagues, got to prepare and perform an opera role with orchestra all while being fully immersed in the beautiful Hawaiian culture and aloha spirit.
Soprano, Cecilia Violetta López, named one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News.
Who This Is For
The Margareta and Staffan Encrantz Vocal Fellowship is Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival’s highest level of artistic training and performance opportunity. Designed for exceptional young artists who are prepared to transition into the professional performing arts industry, the Fellowship is awarded through a highly competitive audition process.
Applicants should demonstrate the artistic maturity, technical ability, and professional readiness expected of emerging professionals.
Operatic applicants should have successfully completed at least one nationally recognized young artist program (such as Santa Fe Opera, Central City Opera, Opera Saratoga, Sarasota Opera, or a comparable program) and demonstrate that level of artistry through their audition and application materials.
Musical theatre applicants should possess significant professional experience, including leading or supporting regional theatre credits, understudy and/or swing experience, or equivalent professional accomplishments, and demonstrate that level of artistry through their audition and application materials.
Curriculum
The Margareta and Staffan Encrantz Vocal Fellowship offers an immersive professional training and performance experience for exceptional young artists who are prepared to transition into the next stage of their careers.
Each Fellow will be cast in a leading role in one of Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival’s fully staged mainstage productions, performing with professional orchestral accompaniment. Throughout the Festival, Fellows collaborate closely with internationally recognized faculty, directors, conductors, guest artists, and creative teams while working at a level that mirrors the expectations of the professional performing arts industry.
The primary curricular focus of the Fellowship is the preparation, rehearsal, and performance of a leading role. Fellows receive individualized vocal coachings throughout the rehearsal process, with sessions tailored to support musical preparation, stylistic refinement, and performance development. Acting and movement are fully integrated into rehearsals, while masterclasses, workshops, and career development sessions provide opportunities for continued artistic and professional growth.
Previous Encrantz Fellows have secured professional management, regional theatre and opera contracts, national tours, and engagements with many of the nation’s leading performing arts organizations, including Broadway, The Metropolitan Opera, Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Tampa, Florida Grand Opera, and numerous regional theatres and opera companies.
In addition to their artistic work, all Festival participants engage with the rich culture and traditions of Hawaiʻi through educational experiences in Native Hawaiian arts, history, language, and local landmarks, fostering a meaningful connection to the people, place, and spirit of the islands.
Audition Requirements
For your recorded audition, please submit the following:
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- Three contrasting musical selections of your choice. At least two selections should be performed in English.
- If you wish to be considered for a specific role in one of our productions, you are encouraged to include a selection associated with that character or in the style of the role.
- If you wish to be considered for a role in Come From Away, one of your selections should be a contemporary musical theatre selection in the style of the show. Please demonstrate strong storytelling, authenticity, and contemporary vocal technique.
- If you wish to be considered for a role in The Threepenny Opera, one of your selections should reflect the style of the work. Classical crossover, legit musical theatre, cabaret, or art song repertoire that demonstrates strong theatrical instincts and interpretive ability is encouraged.
- Three contrasting musical selections of your choice. At least two selections should be performed in English.
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- One one-minute monologue.
Fellowship Benefits
The Margareta and Staffan Encrantz Vocal Fellowship includes:
- Full tuition waiver
- Shared housing accommodations for 22 nights
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the Festival (excluding designated performance, technical rehearsal, and dark days)
Roundtrip airfare to and from Kona International Airport (KOA) is the responsibility of each Fellow. A rental vehicle is required for the duration of the Festival and may be shared among participants to reduce costs. Carpool arrangements can be coordinated following acceptance through the Festival administration.
