PARTNERS for the Arts, Inc.
PARTNERS for the Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that holds an annual opera competition to encourage and support singers pursuing a career in opera.
PARTNERS for the Arts, Inc. 2026 13th National Opera Competition
Open to singers ages 25 to 35 as of April 12, 2026
1st Prize – $15,000; 2nd Prize – $10,000; 3rd Prize – $5,000
Judges Special Award – $2,000
Audience Choice Award – $1,000
Travel Expenses to all Finalists – $750
Preliminaries and Semifinal rounds will be done virtually.
Final Round Live: April 12, 2026, Washington, D.C.
Deadline for application and video submission :
February 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET (Eastern Time)
Early Application submission is highly encouraged.
A panel of professional opera experts will judge the preliminaries, Semifinals, and Final rounds of the competition.
The judges’ decision is final.
Judges:
| Preliminaries | Semifinals | Finals |
| Byron Jones | Robert Baker | Richard Leech |
| Nick Olcott | Leah Crocetto | Kevin Short |
| Joy Schreier | Peter Russell | Delores Ziegler |
Pianist Tongyao Li
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