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Opera Studies
Artist Diploma
Application & Audition Requirements
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About this Program
Overview
This 2-year pre-professional, performance-based Artist Diploma (AD) program accepts a few highly gifted and experienced performers at the post-graduate level who wish to pursue focused studies designed to develop their artistry and professionalism.
For more detailed information about the program, please visit the Music Division webpage and navigate to your area of study.
Eligibility
In order to be admitted as an Artist Diploma student, you must have:
- Prior artistic training
- English language fluency
You are ineligible to apply to this program if you have already earned an Artist Diploma in the same major from another institution.
If you apply to this degree program and are denied admission, you can apply again. After two unsuccessful attempts, you are no longer eligible to apply.
Academic Requirements
The Juilliard School requires no specific courses, GPAs, standardized test scores, or class rankings for entry to this program.
However, we will carefully evaluate your academic record and required essay to make sure you have the scholastic competence necessary to succeed in Artist Diploma Opera Studies-level coursework.
There are additional requirements for:
Criteria for Acceptance
- Exceptional talent as a performer, and the potential to meet Juilliard's technical standards
- A high level and quality of training and musicianship
- A capacity for sustained, disciplined practice
- The personal maturity and generosity of spirit essential for ensemble work
- Broad and thoughtful interest in the world of music, including its historical traditions and contemporary trends
- A clear dedication to artistic excellence and a desire to exercise artistic leadership
Application Timeline
Application Timeline
Applications to the College Division open on September 1 each year for enrollment the following fall. Please note the various deadlines for individual materials below.
| Application Requirement | Received-by Deadline |
|---|---|
| Online Application with Artistic Resume, with Essay(s) and Introduction Video | November 1 |
| Application Fee ($USD) or Fee Waiver | November 1 |
| Prescreening Materials | November 1 |
| Official Transcripts* | mid-November |
| Proof of English Language Proficiency | November 1 |
| Recommender Information | November 1 |
| Recommendation(s) Received | December 1 |
| Request for ADA audition accommodations | December 1 |
*Official Transcripts and Scholarship / Financial Aid Application required only if an invitation to an in-person audition is received.
| Prescreening Notifications |
|---|
| Results announced by Mid-November |
The following items are only required if you are invited to audition:
| Audition Requirement | Received-by Deadline |
|---|---|
| Auditions | See "Auditioning for Juilliard" Section |
| Scholarship / Financial Aid Application | March 1 |
Audition Results
You will receive notification of your admission status (admit, wait list, or deny) through your application status page no later than December 22, if all required application materials have been received.
Application Fee & Waivers
Application Fee
The $110 application fee is nonrefundable and must be paid through your application status page upon submission of your application. Your application is not considered complete until the fee has been received.
Fee Waivers
Fee waiver requests are available for applicants to graduate programs who demonstrate significant financial need by uploading one of the following to the application:
-
If you are independent, a copy of your most recent tax form filed OR
-
A letter on school stationery from your current university’s or college's Financial Aid Office stating that you have financial need of a fee waiver
If you are unable to provide one of the above documents, you may provide the following:
-
A personal letter describing your financial situation
All documentation must be in English. Original documents with translations are acceptable.
How to Upload
Fee waiver documentation (translated into English if not originally in that language) must be uploaded directly within the online application and submitted by the appropriate deadline. Documents must be in either .doc or .pdf format. (Convert your file to another format if you have scanned your document as a jpg.)
Fee waiver requests are processed on an ongoing basis. You will receive an email with the results of your request as soon as it is processed. Note that we have a heavy volume of requests to process at the deadline, so you may not receive your results until after the deadline has passed. This does not disqualify your application. Do not pay the application fee if your waiver request is still pending.
Your application status page will show an application fee payment due until your request is approved. If you are notified that your request for an application fee waiver is denied, you will be required to pay the application fee. Your application is not considered complete until the fee has been received. If your fee waiver request is processed after the deadline, and is denied, you will still have a grace period in which to pay the fee.
Your Application Materials
Your Online Application
Your application must be submitted online by the appropriate deadline. To begin, create your Juilliard Admissions Account, gather all of the required application materials, and follow the instructions to complete your application.
Your Resume
An artistic resume must be uploaded as part of the online application. The purpose of submitting a résumé is to provide the Admissions Committee with a document that quickly sums up your background and accomplishments. The résumé should contain lists, not full prose paragraphs such as in a program bio. The elements to include in your résumé are as follows:
- Your name and major (violin, jazz trumpet, soprano, etc.)
- Your contact information (including address, phone, and email)
- Education: Where you studied, degree or diploma earned (or to be earned)
- Teachers: Particularly for classical instrumentalists and vocalists, listing your most recent teachers and the dates when you studied with them is important information for the Committee
- Master classes where you performed: List teacher and date (for example, June 2020)
- Ensemble experience: Youth orchestras, choirs, jazz bands, etc.
- Competitions and awards: Include dates
- Performances: If including orchestral performances, only include those if you were the soloist; otherwise list recitals and chamber music performances
- Other experience: If you have done volunteer work, held a job, etc., those can be listed here
You do not have to use these exact categories in this exact order. Use what is logical for your background, but make sure to put your name at the top of the document, and include your education and your teachers. DO NOT SUBMIT A PROGRAM BIO. It is not useful for purposes of applying to Juilliard.
Your Essay(s)
Juilliard’s Admissions Committee uses your essay(s) to learn more about you as an individual and gain a sense of who you are beyond your application, transcript, and audition.
Essay Requirements
- 1–2 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font
- written in English (not translated from another language)
- must be your own original work
- submitted within the online application
Topics
You are required to submit two essays:
- Describe a musical encounter or experience that was a defining moment for you in formulating your artistic values. Be specific and tell us how that experience continues to influence your musical work to this day.
- State your specific artistic and educational objectives for this period of study. Address how these objectives, and the resources provided by Juilliard, will help you achieve your professional goals. This statement is a critically important aspect of the admission review process.
Additional Essay Requirements
Additional essays are required for:
Optional Essay
Should you have a personal or academic circumstance to share that you feel can provide context for a particular point on your resume - for example, a gap year, unusually low grades in a semester or year, etc. - you have the option to submit an additional short essay.
Your Introduction Video
A one-minute video uploaded to the application in which you record yourself giving the following information:
- Your name
- Your major (i.e. flute, composition, organ). Voice applicants: please include your voice type
- Your current music teacher
- Your current school and grade level
- One fact that you want the Admissions Committee to know about you that they cannot learn from your application materials AND
- Tell us about one piece of music that excites you and why.
To record your video, navigate to the "Music Introduction Video" tab in your application. There you will find instructions for starting the recording. Because the video will be recorded directly from the application, not uploaded as a video file, we recommend allowing yourself ample time to prepare and test your recording in the application module. You can record and save your video at any time before submitting your application, and can delete and re-record your video as needed prior to submission. You will need to use a computer (any type) or cell phone (Android only) with a webcam and a browser that supports media recording (Chrome and Firefox). At this time, video recording is not supported on iPhones or iPads. If you have any trouble with the video recording module, please call or email the Office of Admissions.
Your Transcripts
Transcripts are an important component of the decision process. They help us determine if you have sufficient scholastic competence to succeed in coursework at the level for which you are applying. The transcript requirement will be placed on your checklist with a clear deadline at an appropriate point in the application process. DO NOT SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT UNTIL YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT IT.
Official versus Unofficial Transcripts
- An official transcript is one that is sent from your school directly to Juilliard.
- To avoid the possibility of fraudulent transcripts, we DO NOT accept transcripts sent via email.
- An official transcript must show courses taken and grades earned.
- An unofficial transcript is one that you (the applicant) send to us or upload to your application.
- Because the transcript did not come from your school, it is insufficient for admission and does not fulfill the checklist requirement.
How Do I Send Juilliard My Official Transcript?
- Follow your Registrar’s process to request a transcript sent to Juilliard.
- In the U.S., many schools use secure electronic sending services such as Naviance, Parchment, eSCRIP-SAFE, or other system.
- Schools outside the U.S. typically send hard copy of the official transcript to Juilliard via regular or express mail.
- Electronic or paper?
- Electronic sending services must use this email address: [email protected].
- A paper record of your academic progress, including grades earned, is an acceptable alternative to an electronic transcript if it is sent in a sealed envelope directly from the issuing institution(s) to the Juilliard Office of Admissions (mailing address below).
Transcript Requirements for Students Studying Outside the US
- Official transcripts must be sent by the stated deadline once the requirement is added to your checklist.
- If your transcript is not in English, we require the transcript in its original language as well as a certified translation.
- Your official transcript(s) must show all prior and current coursework, including at least 24 credits of liberal arts courses.
- You will be notified if an official evaluation of your transcript is required in order to verify your academic level. Companies such as SpanTran (use this link for a discounted evaluation: SpanTran Pathway - The Juilliard School), WES, or ECE can provide this service for a fee.
- We understand that the current academic year has not ended, and that, if you are currently enrolled, you have not yet completed your program. Please submit your transcript as is by the deadline; a final transcript will be required later, if you are admitted and choose to enroll.
- You may view the status of transcripts at any time by logging into your application account.
- Hard copies of transcripts may be mailed to:
Office of Admissions
The Juilliard School
60 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023
Your Recommendations
In your application you will be required to identify two individuals who will provide your recommendations.* The recommendations should:
- be from a teacher, conductor, coach, or artistic mentor
- address your talent and accomplishments
- discuss the following individual characteristics that indicate potential for success in the field: perseverance, dedication, collegiality, and leadership
*Please note that currently enrolled Juilliard students are also required to have two letters of recommendation in support of their application. These letters can come from internal faculty members or those not affiliated with The Juilliard School.
The recommendations themselves are not due until later in the application timeline. Recommenders will receive an email with a link to securely upload their letters to our application system. We will only accept recommendations received through our application system.
You may view the status of recommendations at any time by logging into your application account.
Your Teacher Preferences
A key element of your study at Juilliard is your major teacher assignment. Music students receive 15 one-hour lessons per semester with a Juilliard studio faculty member.
How to Indicate Your Preferences
- You are required to submit your teacher preferences through the online application
- If your preferences change, you can update your selections through your application status page
How Your Preferences are Used
- Your teacher preferences are confidential and do not affect admissions decisions. Studio faculty are not advised of teacher preference selections until after admission decisions are finalized by the committee
- We aim to confirm studio assignments with notification of admission
- If admitted, your teacher assignment will be based on your preferences to the greatest extent possible. No teacher assignment can be made without a documented request for a specific teacher
Researching Teachers
If you are not familiar with our faculty, we strongly recommend researching the teachers in your major prior to the application deadline, as follows:
- Review the teachers’ online bios in our directory and listen to recordings of each artist
- Ask your current teacher(s) for recommendations
- Consult with friends who may have studied with them
- Optional: Set up a meeting or lesson with the teacher(s). Although not all faculty are available to meet with applicants due to their teaching and performing commitments, you may use this form to request contact information for up to four teachers. Scheduling the meeting and payment of any lesson or meeting fee is your responsibility.
Scholarship & Financial Aid Forms
This program provides a scholarship for the full cost of tuition plus a small stipend. If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for federal student loans to assist with additional required fees and living expenses by completing the FAFSA.
Visit the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Prescreening
Prescreening Type
Format
You are required to upload your files in a Video format. Acceptable file types include:
- .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv
PLEASE NOTE: Some .mov files use a codec which is not supported by the application. We recommend that .mov files be converted to another accepted format to avoid uploading difficulties.
We support media files as large as 5GB, but please be advised that larger files will take longer to upload from your Internet connection and may stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time.
Prescreening Requirements
Your major is required to submit prescreening recordings within the online application by the appropriate deadline.
Procedures
- Upload and arrange your recordings so that the file that represents your best work is first.
- Individual movements or excerpts should be uploaded as separate digital files.
- Clearly label each of the uploaded files with the name of the composer and work/movement.
- Complete your uploads well in advance of the appropriate deadline, as upload times vary depending on file size and internet signal strength.
- Insufficient or incomplete audition repertoire may affect consideration for admission.
- Where specific works are required, substitutions are not allowed.
- Please note that audition requirements which state a complete piece or work are indicating all movements must be prepared.
- Unless otherwise specified in the prescreening requirements listed below, all works written with accompaniment must be accompanied for your recording.
Quality
- Please note that submitted prescreening recordings do not need to be filmed in a particular setting. Videos filmed in a practice room, a living room, a concert hall, a recording studio, or any other setting may be submitted.
- Recordings must be genuinely performed by you. Composition applicants: live recordings of your works may include others.
- Recordings must not be edited, nor should any effects such as “reverb” be added.
- Play back and check your entire recording for any distortion or excessive “buzz”.
- If accompaniment is required, ensure that it does not drown out your playing.
- Review your recordings before uploading to ensure that they are of good quality and represent your best work to date.
You will be notified as to whether or not you have passed the prescreening round by the date on the application timeline. Please note that prescreening materials become the property of The Juilliard School and will not be returned. We encourage you to keep copies for your records.
Additional Instructions
Prescreening Repertoire
- In addition to the repertoire below, you must submit a repertoire list indicating roles studied and roles performed (with locations, dates, and reviews). A headshot is optional.
- An aria in English (not a translation)
- An aria in Italian
- An aria in either French or German
- A fourth aria in a language of the applicant’s choice
Additional Requirements
English Language Proficiency
Definition
You are required to show proof of English language proficiency by the application deadline if your native language is not English, regardless of citizenship. The Juilliard School defines native language as the language first spoken as a child and the primary language spoken at home.
Exemption
An exemption automatically excuses an applicant from the requirement to provide a test score as proof of English language proficiency. The exemption is based on the applicant meeting specific criteria when completing the application. Applicants who are exempt from the requirement to provide an ELP test score are also exempt from the interview requirement.
You are exempt from this requirement if BOTH of the following are true:*
- You have attended an English language high school/secondary school for four years AND
- You have or will complete a four-year undergraduate degree at an English language institution
*Note that this is a TOTAL of EIGHT years of instruction at English language institutions, including BOTH high school AND undergraduate degree studies.
An exemption to provide a test score as proof of English language proficiency is granted automatically if you meet the aforementioned criteria. Applicants who are exempt from providing a test score also are exempt from the ELP interview requirement.
Waiver
A waiver excuses an applicant from the requirement to provide a test score as proof of English language proficiency. Waivers are granted by Juilliard upon request of the applicant, and following a review by the School’s Director of ESL of the materials submitted by the applicant in support of their request for the waiver.
A waiver of the ELP requirement may be granted at the school’s discretion if the following criteria are met:
- The applicant has earned (or will have earned by the time of matriculation) a FOUR-year undergraduate degree from a school where the language of instruction is English AND
- The applicant submits two academic papers written in English, for review by our Director of ESL. The papers must have been written in the applicant’s most recently completed academic term. Each paper must be a minimum of 1200 words in length AND
- The applicant submits an unofficial transcript for review.
To request consideration for a waiver, follow the instructions on the application form.
An interview is still required of applicants whose test score requirement is waived.
Helpful tool: To see if you may qualify for an exemption or a waiver of the requirement to submit a test score as proof of English language proficiency, our online form can help you. Although this form does not grant exemptions or waivers, it can help you plan ahead should the result indicate that you need to schedule an ELP test.
Proving English Language Proficiency
The ability to speak, read, and understand English fluently is an important factor in admissions decisions. You must submit one of the following test types to prove your mastery of the English language. If your score falls below the minimum scores listed here, you should carefully consider whether to continue the application and audition process. We reserve the right to deny an audition based on scores that fall considerably below our minimum.
| Test Type | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Cambridge English | B2 |
| 73 | |
| 543 | |
| 6 |
The official test results must be sent directly from the testing company and received in the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline.
Interview Requirement
- Artist Diploma (AD) applicants with a test score of 94 TOEFL and below (or the equivalent score for other tests) are required to interview with Juilliard’s Director of ESL in order to demonstrate fluency in the English language.
- AD applicants who are exempt from the test score requirement also are exempt from the interview requirement.
- AD applicants whose test scores are waived are still required to interview with the School’s Director of ESL.
- The Office of Admissions will contact applicants to schedule required interviews.
Formerly Enrolled Juilliard Students
Definition
You are considered a former Juilliard college student if you have not been in attendance during the previous academic year. You must submit all required application materials, in addition to the requirements below.
Essay
As a formerly enrolled Juilliard student, you are required to submit an additional essay explaining your motivation for resuming your studies or applying to another major at Juilliard. You may choose to address academic, artistic, or professional goals that you believe could be accomplished by returning.
Transcript Requirements
- You are required to provide official transcripts from all institutions attended after Juilliard
- Transcripts are already on file from your time at Juilliard and do not need to be submitted
Proof of English Language Proficiency
As a formerly enrolled Juilliard student, you do not need to submit proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, ITP Plus).
Decisions
We reserve the right to review your Juilliard enrollment record to assist with admissions decisions.
Currently Enrolled Juilliard Students
Online Application
You must apply if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You are seeking to change majors
- You are applying to a new program of study (changing your degree level)
Application Fee
As a currently enrolled student in the College Division, you are not required to submit an application fee as long as you submit your application by the appropriate deadline.
Essay
You are required to submit an additional essay explaining your motivation for continuing your studies at Juilliard. You may choose to address academic, artistic, or professional goals that you believe could be accomplished by remaining at Juilliard.
Recommendation(s)
Currently enrolled Juilliard students are also required to have recommendation(s) in support of their application. This can come from an internal faculty member or someone not affiliated with The Juilliard School.
Transcripts
As a current student, you do not need to provide your official transcripts, as they are already on file.
Prescreening Requirement
Prescreening is required only if both of the following are true:
- You are applying to a new major AND
- The major to which you are applying is prescreened
Proof of English Language Proficiency
You do not need to submit proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, ITP Plus).
Decisions
We reserve the right to review your Juilliard enrollment record to assist with admissions decisions.
Applicants with Disabilities
The Juilliard School seeks to facilitate the full participation of applicants with disabilities in the audition process. The school makes reasonable accommodations or adjustments for qualified individuals with known disabilities in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Juilliard will not make pre-admissions inquiries as to whether or not a student has a disability; however, applicants with documented disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the audition process must notify the Office of Academic Support and Disability Services (OASDS) in writing by the appropriate deadline.
You will be required to submit documentation of your disability to OASDS; this information will be kept strictly confidential. You must complete the following forms in order for the school to accommodate your specific needs:
- Applicant Release of Disability Related Information Form
- Audition Accommodation Request Form
For more information and to access the forms please visit the Office of Academic Support and Disability Services page.
Auditioning for Juilliard
Audition Repertoire Guidelines and Resources
A dedicated group of studio faculty chairs and other leaders in The Music Division joined together to create Music by Black Composers: An Introductory Resource, a document that seeks to expand knowledge and build a more inclusive approach to repertoire. Repertoire and pedagogical choices can often grow out of habit and a narrowness of knowledge, shaped by a history of exclusion and diminished voices. In the Music Division, we are taking important steps to broaden our knowledge by creating a faculty-researched list of works by Black composers to embrace and work toward a more representative world of classical music. When you have an elective choice, we encourage you to include a work in your audition repertoire by a composer from historically underrepresented gender, racial, ethnic, and cultural heritages.
We are also happy to recommend the following as additional resources that expand our knowledge of a wider breadth of repertoire:
As part of the online application, you are required to submit your proposed audition repertoire for review and approval. Should you need to update your repertoire after you submit your online application, you can do so by submitting a form on your application status page.
- Insufficient or incomplete audition repertoire may affect consideration for admission
- Where specific works are required, substitutions are not allowed
- Audition requirements which state a complete piece or work are indicating all movements must be prepared
You should first consult with your private teacher to determine the suitability of your proposed repertoire. If there is any concern regarding the appropriateness of a particular piece, submit your questions through this form.
Audition Repertoire
Fall 2024 Auditions
Music auditions at The Juilliard School are held in person on our New York City campus; limited funds are available for need-based travel grants. All applicants invited to audition are expected to attend on their scheduled date and time, and are expected to have the entire audition repertoire prepared. While faculty may not hear entire works, they may ask you to perform any part of a required work.
Audition Repertoire
- An aria in English (not a translation)
- An aria in Italian
- An aria in either French or German
- A fourth aria in a language of the applicant’s choice
- An aria from the 20th or 21st century
- An optional 6th work of the applicant’s choice, which is not an aria
- A memorized dramatic monologue, which is approximately 3-4 minutes in length. The monologue must be from a theatrical work, and may not be a poem, song lyrics, or text from an aria. Applicants may be asked to show their ability to take direction through the presentation of this monologue.
Audition Procedures
You must be available for all days and portions of the callbacks, as they provide critical information for the creation of our Opera Studies ensemble. Callbacks cannot be rescheduled.
- Applicants selected from the prescreening round shall be scheduled for a first-round singing audition (Day 1).
- If you are called back for a second round of singing, it will take place on the following day (Day 2).
- If you are called back for the final round (Day 3), you will take part in the following activities:
- a preliminary interview
- a coaching session
- a class (Please wear clothes that are comfortable but also appropriate for an educational environment.)
- a final interview
Accompanist Information
- Works with piano accompaniment must be accompanied for the in-person audition
- We encourage you to use a Juilliard accompanist for your audition
- Accompanists will be provided free of charge for the audition; please note that accompanists charge fees for rehearsals
- A list of accompanists will be provided approximately two weeks before auditions. You must contact an accompanist from the list two weeks prior to your audition and provide them with a piano score of the repertoire for the audition
- If you wish to bring your own accompanist, you may do so. However, Juilliard will not pay them, nor can your Juilliard audition be rescheduled around your accompanist's availability
- If you plan to play with a Juilliard-provided accompanist, please carefully consider general familiarity of your repertoire. Juilliard cannot guarantee accompanists will know unusual or non-standard repertoire. Please be particularly mindful to select contemporary works that have become standard repertoire or have piano parts which are easily sight read. If the Juilliard accompanists hired for your audition day are unable to learn or sight read a non-standard work, you may need to play that work unaccompanied
Decisions & Enrolling
Decisions
There are three possible outcomes to the audition process:
Admit
- The faculty recommends you to the Admissions Committee based on your potential and artistry as demonstrated in the audition.
- The Admissions Committee evaluates your academic record and supplemental materials in order to determine your capacity to succeed at Juilliard.
- The Admissions Committee makes the final determination of whom to admit based on their own evaluation, faculty recommendations, and the number of available openings in your major.
- The Office of Admissions releases your decision letter.
Waitlist
- The faculty recommends you to the Admissions Committee based on your potential and artistry as demonstrated in the audition.
- The Admissions Committee evaluates your academic record and supplemental materials in order to determine your capacity to succeed at Juilliard.
- You are placed on the waitlist because, although you are found admissible to the school, we have a limited number of openings.
- Should a place become available, the Admissions Committee evaluates the waitlist, making offers of admission as necessary.
Deny
During the application process, there are three points at which you can be denied admission:
- As a result of prescreening
- At various points in the application and audition process
- Following review by the Admissions Committee
A denial at any of these stages results in notification that you are no longer under consideration for admission.
These decisions will be posted to your application status page as noted on the timeline.