2026 Luminarts Classical Voice Fellowship
Ends on
Classical Voice Fellowship
The Luminarts Classical Voice Fellowship awards a $15,000 Fellowship to two (2) classical vocalists per year. Luminarts Fellows are eligible to apply for additional project funding and professional development opportunities for 10 years after winning the Fellowship. Applicants may reapply to the Luminarts Fellowship annually, but they are only eligible to receive the Fellowship award once.
Classical Voice Finalists will receive a $300 Honorable Mention Award.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, you must be able to answer “yes” to all of the following criteria:
-I am between the ages of 18 and 30 years old on the day I submit my application
-I live or reside within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop on the day I submit my application
-I am legally able to receive taxable income in the United States (i.e., I have a social security number)
Finalist Requirements
If you are selected as a finalist, you must be able to answer “yes” to all of the following criteria to move forward in the Fellowship process. If you are not available for the final audition, you will not be considered for the Fellowship.
-I am available the evening of April 30, 2026, for the final Classical Voice Finals at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604.
For questions about eligibility or more information about the Fellowship, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Program Director Alex Benjamin at info@luminarts.org or (312) 435-5961.
Submission Guidelines
There are four (4) components that must be attached to your application:
· Video recordings which will be reviewed by a panel of jurors;
· A short artist statement outlining what your career objectives are as an artist, how becoming a Luminarts Fellow would help support those objectives, and how you envision your art/career impacting the Chicago region;
· The name, contact information, and relationship to one (1) professional or educational reference; and
· CV/Resume.
Read below for specific details about each of these components.
Video Recordings
Applicants must attach video samples of excerpts from each of the repertoire categories listed below. You may record a video using a mobile device or other recording equipment, or submit professional recordings from performances. Your recordings will be used for judging purposes. You may submit one recording of all three requirements, or split requirements up into separate files. The total length of the recordings must be no longer than 20 minutes.
Recordings that feature an accompanist are preferred. Recordings with play-along recordings are also acceptable.
· Some of the repertoire requirements are longer than twenty (20) minutes. Use your best judgement on which portions of the requirements to submit.
· YouTube link or file uploads are allowed.
· File name should be the title of the piece if samples are broken up into separate videos.
· File names and videos may not include your name or other personal information.
· Please provide the highest quality recordings possible and note a variety of selections within the guidelines is preferred.
· All submissions must be unedited except for purposes of shortening the submission or cutting separate selections together.
· Please save all recordings and videos in the event we need you to resubmit any of the materials.
Artist Statement
Your artist statement should outline what your career objectives are as an artist, how becoming a Luminarts Fellow would help support those objectives, and how you envision your art/career impacting the Chicago region. (250-500 words)
Professional/Educational Reference
Space will be provided on the application to include the name, contact information, and relationship to one (1) professional or educational reference. Note that references may not be contacted as part of this process.
Repertoire Requirements
Please submit your repertoire list in the designated field on the submission application. Please list the pieces in the order they are submitted in the video section.
Voice Repertoire (all from memory, except #2 oratorio)
· One (1) aria from an opera in its original language
· One (1) aria from an oratorio in its original language
· One (1) art song in its original language
*Choose repertoire selections from a variety of languages.
*One piece must be composed and sung in English.
*One piece must be contemporary (1960 - Present).
*Applicants are required to include at least one piece written by a composer with a historically underrepresented identity (including but not limited to a BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or woman composer).
*To best showcase your talent jurors recommend you work with your accompanist to cut any music where the accompanist is playing for a long period of time.
After Submitting Your Application
You will receive a confirmation email immediately after successfully submitting your application. If you do not receive a confirmation email please check your spam/junk filter settings. If you still have not received confirmation after submitting your application, please contact Program Director Alex Benjamin at info@luminarts.org.
Applicants will be notified by or before April 6, 2026, as to whether they have been selected as a finalist.
The final audition is a live event from 6:00 - 8:00 PM CT on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Union League Club of Chicago. You must be available for the final audition at the time of your application.
Voice finalists must bring their own accompanist to the final audition.
What to Bring to the Final Audition
Voice finalists must bring their own accompanist to the final audition.
Finalists will be asked to select repertoire for the final audition. At a minimum, you must include at least one piece from each of the repertoire categories above. We encourage you to personalize your repertoire selection to best represent your skill and artistry.
Bring three (3) copies of a list of your repertoire to the audition, as well as three (3) copies of your sheet music. Jurors will request selections based off your repertoire list. Be prepared to perform any selections listed on your repertoire list. Audition slots are twelve (12) minutes per finalist; therefore, jurors will not request every selection be performed.
If a selected piece does not have accompaniment, perform the piece as the composer intended it to be performed.
Winners will be announced live the night of April 30.
Warm-Up Room Information
Warm-up space cannot be guaranteed, so please come to the final audition warmed up.