2023 WNO Opera Institute

The Washington National Opera Institute (WNOI) is a three-week, pre-professional intensive at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 2022, the program was fully revamped to meet the needs of and ensure the best pre-professional training for 21st-century musicians. In fulfilling this mission, WNOI combines Citizen Artistry with high-quality vocal training to support students in becoming socially conscious changemakers in the field of opera. We are thrilled to announce that for the 2023 program Raymond O. Caldwell and Dr. Carl DuPont will be returning as WNOI’s Artistic Directors. Caldwell is an award-winning director, producer, actor, peace activist, and educator who uses theatre as a tool to transform communities. DuPont is a baritone, innovator, writer, and educator whose expansive work centers diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and sustainability in the arts. With their collective expertise, Caldwell and DuPont each played crucial roles in ensuring the past success of the piloted 2022 WNOI program and are reprising their roles for the continued success of the 2023 program. The 2023 WNOI program runs from July 24 to August 12, 2023, and the application period will extend through January 31, 2023. Students in 9th through 12

th grade from across the globe who are aspiring professional vocalists are invited to apply. Each student accepted into the program receives vocal training, theatrical training, the opportunity to explore diverse repertoire of both BIPOC, women, and American composers as well as frequently performed works from the canon, sessions facilitating discussions around Citizen Artistry and career skills, and performances led by students with faculty guidance. For additional information about the program, application requirements, and more, please visit the WNO Institute website.

If you have more questions, you may reach out

to operainstitute@kennedy-center.org.