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Why Choose AVA

Facts at a Glance

AVA provides courses to equip Resident Artists to become the opera stars of tomorrow:

…and much more!

Between 2016-2021, AVA Resident Artists took top honors in such prestigious vocal competitions as:


Location

Located in beautiful Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, Academy of Vocal Arts is within walking distance to some of the best restaurants, cafés, shops and music venues in the entire city. It is also a train ride away from other major cities, such as New York City and Washington, D.C.

For East Coast young artist living, choosing Philadelphia is a perfect way to live comfortably in such a quaint neighborhood like Rittenhouse Square, while also having the great convenience of New York and D.C. being our next door neighbors! Easily traveling for auditions, walking to experience wonderful performances at The Philadelphia Opera or The Philadelphia Orchestra, and going to AVA every day makes Philly one of my favorite cities.

Alumni Success

AVA alumni have been presented with five Beverly Sills Artist Awards by the Metropolitan Opera—more than double other major opera schools.

60% of artists who received the Richard Tucker Award between 2008 and 2016 were AVA alumni—more than any other school. A total of eight AVA alumni have won this award since its inception.

Several AVA alumni are Grammy winners or nominees.

Starring Roles

For the past 35 years, AVA alumni have been featured in leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera. In the 2017/18 season, eight AVA alumni performed in several leading roles at the Met. Ten AVA alumni also performed in leading roles at the Met during the 2018/19 season.

Global Careers

AVA alumni have performed with more than 140 orchestras. Since 2000, AVA alumni have sung at more than 250 opera housese and festivals worldwide.

AVA graduates regularly star in major roles at:

…and many other renowned opera houses throughout the world.

AVA challenged me to push myself daily in the pursuit of achievements I never thought I could realize.  Those years on Rittenhouse Square were some of the best years of my life; and because of AVA, I have been able to share my talents with people far and wide.

Bryan Hymel, AVA alumnus (’08)