Houston Grand Opera Butler Studio

Butler Studio artists receive the opportunity to learn major roles, expand repertoire, and demonstrate individual abilities. Mainstage performance exposure enables Butler Studio artists to work with world-renowned artists, directors, and conductors, and have their work reviewed individually by local, national, and international press. Butler Studio artists are assigned supporting roles in HGO's mainstage productions. Given HGO's commitment to commissioning and producing new works, Butler Studio artists are also given opportunities to create new roles and premiere new pieces.

The Eleanor McCollum competition is the primary recruiting tool for the Sarah & Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio, one of the most prestigious and respected young artist programs in the world. Singers are offered individual training in all pertinent areas alongside work on HGO’s mainstage, role studies, and concert and/or opera scenes performance opportunities. Most Butler Studio artists remain at HGO for two seasons, though a third year is not uncommon.

While it is not possible to be considered for prizes in the Eleanor McCollum competition without participating in the finals, it is still possible to be considered for the Studio. Winning the competition does not guarantee a place in the Studio, and in many years artists are invited to the Butler Studio who did not sing in the final Concert of Arias.

Applications are being processed through YapTracker.com. Application deadline: Aug 31, 2025.