The Washington National Opera has named five artists, four singers and a pianist, as the newest members of Cafritz Young Artists – a program in its 23rd season. 

After auditions that hosted 830 applicants in four cities, the five accepted individuals will join seven returning Cafritz Young Artists as they are further coached and trained in their craft. The newcomers are soprano Viviana Goodwin, tenor Nicholas Huff, soprano Anneliese Klenetsky, mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariposa, and pianist Tongyao Li. They will be joining sophomores soprano Tiffany Choe, soprano Kresley Figueroa, mezzo-soprano Winona Martin, bass Sergio Martínez, baritone Jonathan Patton, tenor Sahel Salam, and pianist Pei-Hsuan Lin, to round out the program’s roster.

“These young artists represent the future of opera, not only in great vocal and dramatic talent but in terms of defining where the art form is headed,” said Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello in a press release. She explained further: “Throughout the year they will receive training and performing experience, work alongside the many opera professionals who grace the WNO stages, and earn knowledge that will serve them as they embark on successful national and international careers.”

The musicians, lead by Cafritz Young Artists director Christopher Cano, will be performing in four productions at the Kennedy Center throughout 2024-2025: “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” “Jungle Book,” “Gods & Mortals: A Celebration of Wagner,” and an American Opera Initiative showcase.