Schmidt Vocal Arts (SVA), a national organization supporting early-career classical singers, has announced the first recipients of grants to summer opera and vocal programs for young artists.

Twelve grants of $10,000 were awarded across the country. The Aspen Music Festival and School received support for its Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program, while Chautauqua Institution received two $5,000 gifts to sponsor a Chautauqua Opera Company Young Artist Recital and a scholarship at Chautauqua Opera Conservatory. Central City Opera was awarded a grant in support of its Bonfils-Stanton Artist Training Program, and Des Moines Metro Opera was named Leading Sponsor for all 2026 Apprentice Artist Program Concerts and Events.

Additional recipients include The Glimmerglass Festival in support of its 2026 Resident Artists Program; the Merola Opera Program in support of its 2026 Artists; and the Music Academy of the West for sponsorship of the Marilyn Horne Song Competition.

Opera Saratoga received funding for the sponsorship of two Festival Artists, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis was supported in its Gerdine Young Artist Program, including sponsorship of the “Center Stage Concert.” The Santa Fe Opera received a grant in support of its 2026 Apprentice Program for Singers, Ravinia Festival’s Steans Institute was named Master Class Sponsor for its Singers Program, and Wolf Trap Opera received support for its 2026 Studio Artists.

This marks the first time SVA has directed funding to summer vocal programs. All Schmidt Vocal Arts programs are funded by the William E. Schmidt Foundation.

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