Education Fund assistance is available for a three year period after advancing to the Semi-Final level. This began with the class of 2003. Semi-Finalists from previous seasons are still eligible to audition for a period of five years after the Semi-Finals. The amount awarded is a total of $5,000 and the maximum amount that will be awarded in a single audition is $3,000. At least six months must have elapsed since a singer competed in the National Semi-Finals, or was last heard by the professional committee of the Metropolitan Opera before reapplying.

 

An application must be made in advance, in writing, on a form that will be provided upon request by the National Council Auditions office in New York. The awards and any subsequent aid from the Education Fund should be used only for the following purposes:

 

A. Private voice lessons or coachings

B. Instruction in body movement, dance, language, acting or stage deportment, and weight-loss programs

C. Rental or purchase of sheet music, scores, CDs or DVDs

D. Piano purchase, piano rental, piano tuning and repair

E. Study equipment such as recorders, microphones, or stereo equipment

F. Professional photographs

G. Professional audition tapes or CDs

H. Rental or purchase of gowns and tuxedos

I. Travel for auditions or study

 

The award is not automatically granted. Singers must demonstrate growth and development since their last hearing and a confirmed reason to invest in their future.

 

A singer must bring his or her own accompanist to this audition. A list of NYC pianists can be made available to any singer upon request.