Opera Theatre Presents Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Spring Recital, April 19 at the Sheldon Concert Hall

Opera Theatre Presents Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Spring Recital, April 19 at the Sheldon Concert Hall

Twenty-four local high school students to compete for $17,000 in scholarship funds 

St. Louis, MO, April 2, 2026 – Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is pleased to announce the Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training (AIT) Spring Recital on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. at the historic Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries. Twenty-four students will perform operatic arias and art songs for audiences; at the recital’s conclusion, approximately $17,000 in scholarship funds will be awarded. This inspiring free event represents the culmination of Opera Theatre’s 2025-26 AIT Program. The Spring Recital will be adjudicated by famed bass-baritone Kevin Short, who has sung in many of the world’s leading opera houses. 

Created in 1990, AIT is a nationally acclaimed initiative that identifies, coaches, and encourages promising young high school singers both on and offstage. In 2001, this program was recognized by the President’s Committee for the Arts and the Humanities as one of ten outstanding programs for youth in the nation. 

“This year’s Artists-in-Training class represents the heart of what AIT is about — extraordinary talent paired with curiosity, discipline, and mentorship by the very best voice instructors,” shared Allison Felter, Director of Education and Engagement. “The Spring Recital is a celebration not only of their musical growth, but of the confidence and artistry they’ve developed through months of dedicated work. We’re so thrilled to share their voices with our community at this joyful, not-to-be-missed event!” 

The 2025-26 class of AIT students was selected through a highly competitive audition process, with 18 students from Missouri and 6 from Illinois. This class also represents a diverse mix of public, parochial, and private schools. They began rigorous vocal coaching in October 2025, with weekly training sessions led by instructors at Wash U, the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Webster University, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, and master teacher and celebrated bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi. 

For the past 35 years, the Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Program has supported over 300 students and awarded more than $768,000 in scholarships to its graduates and alumni. The AIT Program has an impressive high school graduation rate, with nearly 100% of participants attending college in the last decade. Many of these students are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Graduates have gone on to study at prestigious music schools such as the Boston Conservatory, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, The Juilliard School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music, and the New England Conservatory, among others. 

Many AIT graduates have achieved remarkable success in the music field, working as professional singers, educators, stage directors, arts administrators, and private instructors. Alumni have performed with major opera companies and symphonies across the United States and Europe, including the Dutch National Opera, English National Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, Paris’ Opera Comique, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Opera, and Washington National Opera. As of 2025, 13 graduates have appeared in mainstage productions at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, including notable performances by Kendall Gladen in the 2012 title role of Carmen, Angel Riley in a 2022 production of The Magic Flute, and Julia Bullock and Chaz’men Williams-Ali in the 2019 world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. 

The success of AIT alumni is not limited to the musical industry; over the past 30 years, AIT alumni have also gone on to careers as professional performers, teachers, lawyers, engineers, public elected officials, founders of opera companies, and more. 

The Spring Recital takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries. General admission is free; no reservations required. To learn more about the Spring Recital and the Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Program, visit ExperienceOpera.org/AIT. 

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