The American Opera Project has announced the return of its “Composers & the Voice Program” for the 2021-23 season.

The program, which is created by Artistic Director Steven Osgood, will select six composers and three librettists for two-year, tuition-free fellowships. Applications are open until April 1 with the fellowships announced by July 1, 2021. The company also announced that there will be no application fee.

The workshop sessions will include the composition of solo works for the six voice types as well as Acting with Mary Birnham of the Juilliard Schoool, Theatrical Improvisation with Terry Greiss of the Irondale Ensemble Project, and Libretto Development with renowned librettist Mark Campbell. There will also be mentorship opportunities with Artistic Chairs.

At the end of the workshop, American Opera Project will present selections from the participants’ work in public performances. The second year will focus on the development and further promotion of the fellows’ new works.

The program was launched in 2002 and has participated in the development of 71 librettists and composers.

“The philosophy of Composers & the Voice since its beginning has been that by immersing composers and librettists in hands-on work with skilled singers and music directors, we empower them to create groundbreaking works that are true to each of their artistic languages,” Osgood said in a press release. “Composers rarely have the opportunity to work with opera singers during their training, and C&V was designed to address this void. I could not be more proud of the commissions and premieres that have flowed to the alumni of C&V.”