Opera Theatre is proud to announce the 32 members of our 2024 Gerdine Young Artist and Richard Gaddes Festival Artist Programs! These distinguished early-career singers represent some of the most exciting new voices of their generation, and come to us from all over the country. 

Every year, more than 1,000 young artists apply for a chance to audition for OTSL’s renowned Young Artist Programs. Only 350-400 singers are invited to audition in-person for members of OTSL’s artistic team, and just 28-35 spots are extended in any given season. The 2024 Gerdine Young Artists and Gaddes Festival Artists make up the top 3% of that incredibly competitive pool.

Learn more about the GYA program

Our young artists will arrive in St. Louis in late April to begin music coachings and staging rehearsals. Over the course of nine weeks, these young artists will receive hands-on artistic training and mentorship from world-renowned soprano Patricia Racette. As the Artistic Director of Young Artist Programs, Ms. Racette crafts a rigorous curriculum tailored to each year’s specific class of young artists that will push them to new heights of musical and dramatic interpretation.

“What a particularly competitive year this was,” recalls Patricia Racette with excitement. “Extra kudos to each of our incoming GYAs! I look forward to helping each young artist hone the myriad of skills required of this art form. One of the highlights of my year is working one-on-one with our young artists in individualized sessions. This year’s class can also look forward to small group sessions where our artists learn from one another. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to St. Louis and get started!” 

In addition to appearing onstage in small supporting roles and in our season chorus, these young artists will also stand in the spotlight for our annual and beloved Center Stage concert, which presents these artists as the stars of scene excerpts from familiar classics and operatic rarities. This electrifying concert is accompanied onstage by the outstanding musicians of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Learn more about Center Stage

Scroll down to meet our 2024 class of young artists — and please join us in extending them a hearty St. Louis welcome!

Learn more about our Young Artist Programs

Center Stage is supported by a gift honoring the memory of Sally S. Levy from The Saucy Foundation.

Patricia Racette’s engagement is made possible with generous support from Tim & Robin Wentworth.