The Wilhelmsen Opera Studio for Young Singers (WOYS)
The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Talent Norway and Shipowner Tom Wilhelmsen’s Foundation are launching a new opera studio for young singers who have recently completed their opera education and are on the threshold of a professional career. WOYS is founded and artistically managed by Opera Director Randi Stene.
From 2024, the studio will play a central role in the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet. Every second year WOYS will recruit 4–6 singers who will be full-time salaried employees with the Norwegian National Opera for two seasons. Age limit of singers entering the studio is 32 years.
The young singers will perform minor roles and cover positions in Norwegian National Opera productions on the Main Stage and will have their own recitals, as well as larger roles and an annual production on the Second Stage, where they will be working with professional directors and conductors. They will be receiving instruction in singing, language, drama, dance, body image, ensemble singing, recitative singing, mental training, opera history and interpretation.
Five singers admitted (of nearly 800 applicants)
These five singers will attend the Opera Studio 2024–2026:
Sandra Bendrik, soprano (Swedish)
Laura Mayer, mezzosoprano (Danish)
Markus Bjørlykke, tenor (Norwegian)
Rory Green, baritone (British/Irish)
Johannes Nikolai Aas, bass (Norwegian)
Head of The Wilhelmsen Opera Studio for Young Singers is Anne Margrethe Dahl. The Norwegian/Danish soprano was employed at The Royal Danish Opera 1999–2016, and was director of the Opera Academy in Copenhagen for many years. She has a broad experience as a singing teacher.
For questions, please email: WOYS@operaen.no, or anne.margrethe.dahl@operaen.no.
Admissions
The Wilhelmsen Opera Studio for Young Singers (WOYS) is now open for applications for singers not older than 32 years pr 1st August 2026.
To apply for auditions, please use this link and include:
- A link or links to video recording presenting two arias in different languages. The recording must be a full single-capture of each aria without editing and should be uploaded to an online platform (such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox or WeTransfer)
- A brief motivation letter
- A curriculum vitae of maximum one page
- A recent photograph of the applicant
- Please inform about your audition repertoire: a selection of 5 arias of your own choice including at least 1 Mozart or baroque aria, covering at least 3 different languages and 1 secco recitative in Italian
Deadline for applications is Monday 1st September 2025 1pm
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within Tuesday 30th September 2025 and will then be invited to one of 3 live auditions weekends at the Opera House in Oslo:
- Saturday 25th October 2025
- Saturday 1st November 2025
- Saturday 15th November 2025
Please specify in your application which of the 3 weekends you prefer.
WOYS does not provide any financial assistance towards attending the auditions and does not refund travel or accommodation expenses for attending the auditions. Further details on the auditions will be communicated with the shortlisted candidates.
Please notice that uncompleted applications will be regarded as disqualified!
For questions, please go through the application link or write an e-mail to woys@operaen.no