Preparing to celebrate its 51st year, the Des Moines Metro Opera Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Artist Program is one of the premiere summer apprentice programs for emerging opera singers. Selected from National Auditions each fall, forty outstanding talents from all over the country converge on Indianola, Iowa for a seven-week training program “designed to provide the skills necessary to bridge the gap between academic study and a professional career.”
Director of the Apprentice Program, Lisa Hasson and Director of Artistic Administration, Allen Perriello discussed the specific training aspects of the Des Moines program, the things singers can expect and what is expected of them, how the program aims to evolve in identifying talent, and some of the fantastic alum singing on stages around the world.
There are several major Young Artist Programs. What makes Des Moines Metro Opera’s different?
Lisa Hasson: I think what has always distinguished this program is the amount of attention and resources devoted to the development of the young singer. I believe that this stems from founder Robert Larsen’s belief that the apprentice program was the heart and soul of the company. In addition to giving us an extraordinary chorus every season, they get a great deal of individual coachings on scenes, arias, covers and comprimario roles.
There are sessions and classes on a variety of subjects such as audition techniques, professional resumes, diction, parenthood and the arts, baroque style, to name a few. The staff also spends a lot of time individually preparing them for industry day, on which they audition for 25-30 industry national and international professionals. The grand finale of every season is our apprentice concert accompanied by out marvelous orchestra, entitled “Stars of Tomorrow.”
Allen Perriello: DMMO prides itself in programming a unique combination of operas each season to be performed in the intimate 467-seat Pote Theater at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa. Like many programs, members of the Apprentice Artist Program receive performance opportunities both in mainstage productions and in operatic scenes, coachings and career training seminars, and opportunities to be heard by artist representatives and other companies. The company provides housing that is within short walking distance of the rehearsal and performance facilities.
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What can an incoming Apprentice Artist expect to learn?
AP: Incoming Apprentice Artists can expect to learn a great mix of full and partial roles to perform and/or cover with the support of a talented cohort of conductors, coaches, and directors, while also enhancing their existing audition arias. There is also much to be learned from covering and observing the accomplished artists hired to sing the principal roles. These artists are often quite generous in sharing their experiences with the Apprentice Artists
And as a follow up question, what are the expectations from DMMO for an incoming Apprentice Artist?
LH: I think DMMO is not unique in that preparation is key to getting off on the right foot and feeling confident in a new artistic environment. We do a lot in a very compressed amount of time!
AP: We expect each Apprentice Artist to be well prepared for their assignments, attentive to their vocal, physical, and mental health, and well-spirited in their collaborative work.
Because the Frank R. Brownell III Apprentice Program takes approximately 35-40 singers, what is the average age/experience level?
AP: Apprentice Artists are usually between 21 and 33 years old. The experience level widely varies; some are in the midst of their academic studies while others have had great formative experiences at a range of training programs.
LH: During my tenure, we have had singers about twenty-one up through their early thirties. It honestly depends on the individual singer, and the repertoire we are looking to cast. You don’t want a 22-year-old covering Salome!
With a new awareness on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, how is DMMO integrating these into the selection of Apprentice Artists?
LH: DEI is core tenet for the company, both on and offstage. It is also plays into our programming, the opera American Apollo being the most recent example.
When screening applicants for the apprentice program, we are sure that the final forty singers chosen for each season reflects these values. As to accessibility, we do not charge an application fee, and singers can submit a video in lieu of a live and costly audition—something that was in place for many years before the pandemic.
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Is there a limit on the number of times an artist can audition for the Apprentice Program? Is there a limit on the number of summers a singer can be an Apprentice Artist?
AP: There is not a limit on the number of times that someone may audition for DMMO. Apprentice Artists are with us for anywhere between one and three summers, not necessarily consecutively.
LH: We have no limits on how many times you can audition. We have often asked singers back for a second year if there is appropriate repertoire. A rare exception is a third summer, but this has happened only a handful of times during my tenure. Hopefully, “third time’s a charm” meaning they have been engaged as a principal artist!
With such a storied history, I’m sure there are many, many alums of the program that have gone on to successful careers.
LH: My first season, the apprentice pianist was none other than Michael Heaston! (Michael Heaston is the Assistant General Manager, Artistic, at the MET.)
AP: Many former apprentices have gone on to great careers as singers, teachers, and leaders throughout our field. Some recent alums include Vanessa Becerra, Alexander Birch Elliot Sara Gartland, Brian Jagde, Kyle Ketelson , Duke Kim, Ian Koziara, Daniela Mack, Megan Marino, John Moore, John Osborn, and Chauncey Packer.
With a diverse operatic season and a program committed to the development of the individual artist through performance, training, and networking, the Des Moines Metro Apprentice Artist Program is great step in preparing artists for a sustainable career. Information about auditions for the 2026 Apprentice Artist Program will be available in the summer of 2025.
