Contest Application and Criteria
The D'Angelo Young Artist Vocal Competition takes place on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Winners will be selected that day.
• 1st prize: $5,000 plus a role in an Opera Tampa production in an upcoming Opera Tampa season
• 2nd prize: $2,500
• 3rd prize: $1,000
• Audience favorite award: $500
Applicants must be aged 20-35, and be United States citizens actively pursuing a career in opera performance. Applicants must provide two references and submit a recent (no more than 2 years old at the time of submission) video recording with two contrasting arias.
Please note: The quality of your recordings will most likely affect the prospects of being selected.
Applications must be submitted no later than Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance, standby or non-acceptance no later than Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.
The required repertoire for the competition is four differently-styled arias sung in at least three different languages. One zarzuela may be included. In addition, please also include one German, Russian or French art song.
More instructions will be sent upon completion of application fee payment to the email address used during processing.