Vancouver Opera has announced the new and returning participants of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program for 2025–2026.

This season’s artists will be Marianne Bertrand, Julia LoRusso, and Mihnea Nitu will join returning artists Lyndon Ladeur, Tayte Mitchell and Derek Stanyer. They will receive mentorship and training with leading Vancouver Opera artists and facilitators. Additionally, they will receive one-on-one coaching, and are offered performance opportunities.

The program, which was launched in 2012, is made possible through donations by the family of Yulanda M. Faris.

In a statement, Tom Wright, Vancouver Opera General Director said, “An exciting aspect of our Young Artists Program is that we provide emerging artists with exciting live performance opportunities throughout our season, whether its performing in community events like our VOICES series, or in our large-scale, mainstage theatrical productions. During the program, members of our company provide these artists with advantageous insights into a career in opera. Our 2025–2026 participants are dedicated artists who have already demonstrated their talents and are poised to become world-class opera professionals in the coming years.”

This year, the young artists will perform in Vancouver Opera’s season-opening production of “Rigoletto.”

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