The National Opera Association promotes excellence in opera education and pedagogy through its support of a diverse community of opera educators and professionals.
Who is the diverse community? Opera directors, conductors, librettists, composers, vocal coaches, voice teachers, scholars, administrators, other professionals, and enthusiasts involved in the training and mentoring young singers in college, university, and conservatory opera programs as well as community-based and small professional opera companies and young artist programs.
Who we are…
The National Opera Association was founded in 1955, under the auspices of the National Music Council. The National Opera Association seeks to promote a greater appreciation of opera and music theatre, to enhance pedagogy and performing activities, and to increase performance opportunities by supporting projects that improve the scope and quality of opera. Members in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia participate in a wide array of activities in support of this mission.
Who we serve…
Through its prosperous history, the NOA has primarily served education and performance activities in academic institutions and small regional opera companies. The organization especially welcomes participation of college and university opera workshop directors, students, composers, librettists, scholars, and anyone interested in opera and opera education.
What we do…
NOA holds an annual national conference, along with a growing series of regional events, featuring performances, panels, workshops, and other continuing-education opportunities for opera educators, performers, scholars, composers, students, and everyone interested in our craft. Major activities of NOA include the encouragement of young artists and composers through competitions and performance opportunities, sharing resources for collegiate and regional productions, and publication of scholarly articles. Special projects of NOA include The Argento Fellowships, The Legacy Project, Sacred in Opera, the Young People’s Opera Project, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Special Initiatives
Major activities of the NOA include the encouragement of young artists and composers through competitions and performance opportunities, sharing resources for collegiate and regional productions, and publication of scholarly articles. Special initiatives of the NOA include:
The Argento Fellowships
NOA is proud to help fulfill the vision of Dominick Argento in awarding fellowships to outstanding singers and composers to receive full tuition plus living expenses for an entire graduate degree.
The Legacy Project
NOA recognizes the importance of ethnic and racial diversity in professional opera. The Legacy Project of the National Opera Association is established to achieve that goal by recognizing the contributions of those who have led progress toward that goal, and to assist, through career development grants, those who demonstrate potential to advance the goal.
Sacred in Opera
As an ecumenical support project, The Sacred in Opera’s mission is to gather those interested and involved in sacred music drama for exchange of ideas, study, performance and camaraderie. The Sacred in Opera seeks to promote the creation and performance of representations depicting the spiritual quest in opera form.
Lifetime Achievement Award
NOA recognizes the sustained and significant achievements of those who have dedicated their lives to opera by bestowing the NOA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Upcoming: