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A partnership of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, the Dutch National Opera Academy is a two-year’s master’s programme offering a wide-ranging curriculum encompassing all aspects in the training of an aspiring opera artist. In addition to a focus on refi ning technical skills, students are supported in developing a very clear sense of vocal and artistic identity, and how these attributes can best be united to meet market demands and expectations. The programme is tailored to enable young artists to enhance chances of success in a competitive fi eld as they transition from full-time education to the workplace. DNOA graduates can be found in many of the world’s leading opera hoses. The programme mounts several full-scale productions each season and enjoys close ties with the wider world of opera. The programme issues a Master of Music degree.
In addition to several fully staged productions each year, the DNOA programme maintains a careful balance between individual lessons and group classes that take place over two semesters (September – December and January – August). While the DNOA schedule varies from week to week (occasionally including activities at weekends), education generally takes place Monday – Friday with a focus on one-to-one lessons in the mornings and group classes/ rehearsals in the afternoon/ early evening. Voice lessons and individual coaching sessions are offered during 34 weeks of the academic year. In addition to working with the DNOA faculty, students engage with a wide range of well-established and respected specialists from the international opera scene, including conductors, directors, vocal coaches, and agents as well as people from the field of cultural management and performance psychology. DNOA productions, workshops and seminars provide practical and benefi cial ways to establish and build professional networks within the world of opera and beyond. The programme issues a Master of Music degree, with the main subject being the integrated domain Performing Opera.
The DNOA board consists of Lies Colman (Royal Conservatoire ,The Hague); and Okke Westdorp (Conservatorium van Amsterdam).
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
MMusic
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
A partnership of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, the Dutch National Opera Academy is a two-year’s master’s programme offering a wide-ranging curriculum encompassing all aspects in the training of an aspiring opera artist. In addition to a focus on refi ning technical skills, students are supported in developing a very clear sense of vocal and artistic identity, and how these attributes can best be united to meet market demands and expectations. The programme is tailored to enable young artists to enhance chances of success in a competitive fi eld as they transition from full-time education to the workplace. DNOA graduates can be found in many of the world’s leading opera hoses. The programme mounts several full-scale productions each season and enjoys close ties with the wider world of opera. The programme issues a Master of Music degree.
In addition to several fully staged productions each year, the DNOA programme maintains a careful balance between individual lessons and group classes that take place over two semesters (September – December and January – August). While the DNOA schedule varies from week to week (occasionally including activities at weekends), education generally takes place Monday – Friday with a focus on one-to-one lessons in the mornings and group classes/ rehearsals in the afternoon/ early evening. Voice lessons and individual coaching sessions are offered during 34 weeks of the academic year. In addition to working with the DNOA faculty, students engage with a wide range of well-established and respected specialists from the international opera scene, including conductors, directors, vocal coaches, and agents as well as people from the field of cultural management and performance psychology. DNOA productions, workshops and seminars provide practical and benefi cial ways to establish and build professional networks within the world of opera and beyond. The programme issues a Master of Music degree, with the main subject being the integrated domain Performing Opera.
The DNOA board consists of Lies Colman (Royal Conservatoire ,The Hague); and Okke Westdorp (Conservatorium van Amsterdam).
Admission Requirements
The audition process takes place in three separate rounds.
Round One
Assessment of the online applications and submitted materials which must include the following:
A detailed, up-to-date Curriculum Vitae in tabular form (ie not a biographical note)
Copy of relevant diploma(s)
Copy of your passport
A portrait
Activated links to three operatic arias/scenes in at least two languages (recordings sent as attachments will not be accepted)
A separate statement of your artistic practice (of no
more than one page). This should briefly set out your interests,
ambitions and motivations as an artist, as well as your reason for
wishing to study at the DNOA.
Please note: If you do not submit all of the required materials, your application will be deemed ineligible.
Candidates selected for the second round will be informed by Wednesday 26. January 2026.
Round Two: Saturday 28. February 2026
Live Auditions for a panel which includes the Artistic
Leader, other faculty members, representatives of voice departments of
both conservatoires, and an external expert.
Singers invited to participate in this round are required to present four contrasting arias in at least three languages, one of which should include a recitative from the baroque or classical period.
Candidates are also requested to present a spoken text (e.g. a
monologue or a poem) to be recited by memory in the candidate’s first
language.
Furthermore, candidates in this round may be allocated a piece that
should be prepared within a specific time frame. Notification and
repertoire will be provided, ca. two weeks before the second round.
Round Three: Sunday 01. March & Monday 02. March 2026
Selected singers are invited to take part in group classes and
individual coaching sessions over a period of days culminating in an
interview where they are encouraged to speak about their aspirations and
motivation to study at the DNOA.
11 Jan 2026
2 Years
Aug
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
Master of Music - Dutch National Opera Academy
Oosterdokskade, Amsterdam, Netherlands
24 monthsProgramme duration
11 Jan, 2026Application Deadline
AugStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
MMusic
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
A partnership of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, the Dutch National Opera Academy is a two-year’s master’s programme offering a wide-ranging curriculum encompassing all aspects in the training of an aspiring opera artist. In addition to a focus on refi ning technical skills, students are supported in developing a very clear sense of vocal and artistic identity, and how these attributes can best be united to meet market demands and expectations. The programme is tailored to enable young artists to enhance chances of success in a competitive fi eld as they transition from full-time education to the workplace. DNOA graduates can be found in many of the world’s leading opera hoses. The programme mounts several full-scale productions each season and enjoys close ties with the wider world of opera. The programme issues a Master of Music degree.
In addition to several fully staged productions each year, the DNOA programme maintains a careful balance between individual lessons and group classes that take place over two semesters (September – December and January – August). While the DNOA schedule varies from week to week (occasionally including activities at weekends), education generally takes place Monday – Friday with a focus on one-to-one lessons in the mornings and group classes/ rehearsals in the afternoon/ early evening. Voice lessons and individual coaching sessions are offered during 34 weeks of the academic year. In addition to working with the DNOA faculty, students engage with a wide range of well-established and respected specialists from the international opera scene, including conductors, directors, vocal coaches, and agents as well as people from the field of cultural management and performance psychology. DNOA productions, workshops and seminars provide practical and benefi cial ways to establish and build professional networks within the world of opera and beyond. The programme issues a Master of Music degree, with the main subject being the integrated domain Performing Opera.
The DNOA board consists of Lies Colman (Royal Conservatoire ,The Hague); and Okke Westdorp
(Conservatorium van Amsterdam).
Programme overview
Main Subject
Music
Degree
MMusic
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
A partnership of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, the Dutch National Opera Academy is a two-year’s master’s programme offering a wide-ranging curriculum encompassing all aspects in the training of an aspiring opera artist. In addition to a focus on refi ning technical skills, students are supported in developing a very clear sense of vocal and artistic identity, and how these attributes can best be united to meet market demands and expectations. The programme is tailored to enable young artists to enhance chances of success in a competitive fi eld as they transition from full-time education to the workplace. DNOA graduates can be found in many of the world’s leading opera hoses. The programme mounts several full-scale productions each season and enjoys close ties with the wider world of opera. The programme issues a Master of Music degree.
In addition to several fully staged productions each year, the DNOA programme maintains a careful balance between individual lessons and group classes that take place over two semesters (September – December and January – August). While the DNOA schedule varies from week to week (occasionally including activities at weekends), education generally takes place Monday – Friday with a focus on one-to-one lessons in the mornings and group classes/ rehearsals in the afternoon/ early evening. Voice lessons and individual coaching sessions are offered during 34 weeks of the academic year. In addition to working with the DNOA faculty, students engage with a wide range of well-established and respected specialists from the international opera scene, including conductors, directors, vocal coaches, and agents as well as people from the field of cultural management and performance psychology. DNOA productions, workshops and seminars provide practical and benefi cial ways to establish and build professional networks within the world of opera and beyond. The programme issues a Master of Music degree, with the main subject being the integrated domain Performing Opera.
The DNOA board consists of Lies Colman (Royal Conservatoire ,The Hague); and Okke Westdorp
(Conservatorium van Amsterdam).
Admission Requirements
The audition process takes place in three separate rounds.
Round One
Assessment of the online applications and submitted materials which must include the following:
Please note: If you do not submit all of the required materials, your application will be deemed ineligible.
Candidates selected for the second round will be informed by Wednesday 26. January 2026.
Round Two: Saturday 28. February 2026
Live Auditions for a panel which includes the Artistic Leader, other faculty members, representatives of voice departments of both conservatoires, and an external expert.
Singers invited to participate in this round are required to present four contrasting arias in at least three languages, one of which should include a recitative from the baroque or classical period.
Candidates are also requested to present a spoken text (e.g. a monologue or a poem) to be recited by memory in the candidate’s first language.
Furthermore, candidates in this round may be allocated a piece that should be prepared within a specific time frame. Notification and repertoire will be provided, ca. two weeks before the second round.
Round Three: Sunday 01. March & Monday 02. March 2026
Selected singers are invited to take part in group classes and individual coaching sessions over a period of days culminating in an interview where they are encouraged to speak about their aspirations and motivation to study at the DNOA.
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
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Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
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