Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has announced the 2026 class of its Richard Gaddes Festival Artist and Gerdine Young Artist Programs.

The 2026 Richard Gaddes Festival Artists are Vinicius Costa (bass), Shyheim Selvan Hinnant (bass-baritone), and Veronica Siebert (mezzo-soprano). Meanwhile, the 2026 Gerdine Young Artists include Landry Allen, Rosario Armas, Imara Ashton, Cole Bellamy, Ashlyn Brown, Lazuli Clark, Joel Clemens, Erik DeMario, Jason Edelstein, Cristina Escobedo, Jason Garcia-Kakuk, Kaya Giroux, Saane Aziza Halaholo, Mark Yinghui He, Minki Hong, Audrianna Hughes, Kevin Douglas Jasaitis, Julia Maria Johnson, Emily Kondrat, Page Michels, Joseph O’Shea, Micah Perry, Edmond Rodriguez, Kim Stanish, and Shiyu Zhuo.

Led by Artistic Director Patricia Racette, the programs provide intensive training in music, acting, and movement, mainstage performance experience, master classes with renowned teaching artists, and professional development opportunities throughout May and June.

“This group embodies exactly what we hope to foster through our Young Artist Programs: curiosity, artistry, passion, and the courage to grow,” said Racette, per an official press release. “Each year, I’m inspired by the depth of talent that comes through our doors, and this class is no exception. These artists are ready to be challenged, and we are ready to meet them there.”

The Gerdine Young Artist Program was established in 1986 with the aim of to provide early-career singers with opportunities to perform supporting roles in mainstage productions, understudy major roles, and participate in the Festival Season chorus. Meanwhile, the Richard Gaddes Festival Artist Program was created in 2016 and honors OTSL’s founding general director, giving selected singers the chance to perform prominent featured and leading roles

The 2026 class will perform in “Center Stage,” a showcase concert on June 23, featuring duets, trios, and ensembles from both standard repertoire and rarely performed works, accompanied onstage by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

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