Opera Association Of Central Ohio

Education programs: our youth education programs support children's learning and development, building an appreciation for opera and the arts while teaching important life lessons. We are an essential part of our community's social and emotional fabric. We invest in columbus' future through our educational and community programming, including opera goes to school tour, performance workshops, concerts in the classroom, opera rehearsal previews, sketch opera, student dress rehearsals, southern theatre tours and free student tickets. Opera columbus will continue our mission to advance the experience and the art of opera by educating and inspiring all generations through a well-rounded education, with the objective of preparing the future generations to make an impact in our community.

Vocal competition: the purpose of the annual, internationally-recognized irma m. Cooper-arthur and hetty bing vocal competition is to empower and celebrate young, emerging artists through cash prizes and audition experience. This competition discovers talent, reveals artistic opportunity, and engages the next generation into the professional opera community. Founded in 1983, the competition attracts exceptional artists each year, helping to launch the careers of many of its competitors. Former winners include internationally-renowned superstar denyce graves and metropolitan opera artists dina kuznetsova, richard paul fink, susan foster, lucas meachem, and alyson cambridge. The encouragement award (launched in 2013) honors a talented high school or undergraduate artist from central ohio, who receives a cash prize and an opportunity to perform at the vocal competition finals.