Apply today

Southern Illinois high school students are encouraged to apply to the Centralia Opera Student Fellowship, where they will receive free voice lessons, participate in masterclasses, and sing alongside professional singers in the Centralia Opera’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Student Fellowship

High school students from Centralia and the surrounding communities are encouraged to apply to the Centralia Opera Student Fellowship. Students enrolled in the COSF will hone their craft through private voice lessons, masterclasses, and performances in recital and on the mainstage in our production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterpiece, The Magic Flute.

Through this program, students will receive weekly voice lessons with professional singers starting in the first week of June.

Students will also sing alongside their teachers in the Centralia Opera’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

In private lessons, they will work on the music for their small role in the opera as well as a solo that they will present in the student recital.

Through this program, they will also be invited to observe and participate in masterclasses in music theory, music history, and acting. All COSF students will be given the opportunity to have professional headshots taken.

All Southern Illinois high school students (including 2025 8th grade and high school graduates) are encouraged to apply to this completely free program.

Application deadline is May 1st, 2025.

Interior of an opulent theater with red velvet curtains and ornate balconies.

Apply Here

FAQs

Illuminated question mark marquee sign on dark background

  • No! This program is for anyone who likes to sing regardless of prior experience.

  • Any students who are currently in high school within commuting distance of Centralia are encouraged to apply.

    This includes 2025 8th grade graduates and 2025 high school graduates.

  • Yes, any students from outside of Centralia are encouraged to apply as long as they have reliable transportation to and from Centralia July 13th-26th.

  • The Centralia Opera works hard to find voice teachers who are not only talented, educated, and experienced, but also kind and encouraging.

    Students will have the opportunity to choose their preferred voice teacher from a list of highly qualified teachers upon admission.

    If you have any other questions or would like to schedule a free trial lesson with one of our teachers contact us at centraliaopera@gmail.com.

  • Weekly virtual voice lessons will begin the first week of June. These will be scheduled on an individual basis between the student and the teacher.

    Rehearsals for the opera will begin July 13th and continue until the opera on June 25th and 26th.

    The 2025 program will conclude after the performance of the opera.

  • All rehearsals and classes will be held at Calumet Street Christian Church

  • Rehearsals will be held in the evenings July 13th-26th. A more detailed schedule will be sent to all students shortly after admission to the program.

  • We want to bring on as many students as possible. Whether you like to sing solo or with a group we would love to have you in our program. Simply indicate your preference in the application.

  • No, housing will not be provided for students in the Student Fellowship Program.

  • The Centralia Opera administration is working extremely hard to be able to accept as many students as possible.

    We hope to be able to accept all students who apply.

  • NO! This program is completely free!

    Thanks to the generosity of a vast network of donors, we at the Centralia Opera are proud to offer world class training to young singers in and around Centralia at no cost to them!

    To help keep this program free for our students, consider making a tax deductable donation by clicking the donate button in the top right corner.

  • May 1st, 2025

  • Reach out at centraliaopera@gmail.com

    We would be happy to answer your question!