The 2026 Voice Competition Finals Concert is set for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ.
Tickets are available from Florida Grand Opera at 800-741-1010 and online by clicking HERE.
Applications are available via YAP Tracker at https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/young-patroness-competition-2026
Please scroll down if you would like to donate to one of our 2026 Voice Competition Memorial Funds.
Memorial Funds
About the Voice Competition
The YPO/Florida Grand Opera voice competition takes place every two years and is open to opera singers who are residents of the United States. Singers compete in two divisions: Senior (ages 26 - 30) and Junior (ages 20 - 25). Approximately 15 to 20 singers are invited to participate in the semi-final round of the competition. Many of the participating singers are students or graduates of leading voice programs throughout the world and have significant performance experience as members of young artist programs.
Judges select up to 10 singers to advance to the final round. All participants in the final round win at least $1,000, with top prizes of $10,000 for the Senior division and $7,500 for the Junior division. The YPO Voice Competition Committee is responsible for reviewing applications, selecting the semifinalists and appointing qualified judges for the audition process. The award winners are selected after two days of live auditions.
You must be 30 or younger as of the application deadline (January 31, 2024). To apply, please CLICK HERE.
Click Here To View the 2024 Event Pictures
How it Began
The YPO Voice Competition was founded in 1972 by one of our founding members and retired soprano opera singer, the late Irene Patti Swartz Hammond. Since that time, YPO has assisted many young opera singers as they pursue their careers by awarding thousands of dollars in prize monies.
The financial assistance awarded may be applied to singers’ undergraduate or graduate education or for other expenses incurred in the pursuit of an operatic vocal career, such as role preparation, continuing vocal study, language study, publicity photos or other audition expenses.
In 1988 the Young Patronesses of the Opera, under its president, Renee Gross, joined forces with the Florida Grand Opera to create a prestigious, national, sought-after vocal competition. At present. former Voice Competition winners are performing in major opera houses throughout the world.
Scholarships & Grants
Auditions are held biennially, but scholarships may be awarded to previous winners during non-competition years depending on the progress of the winners in their opera careers and on their financial needs. Funds for the Voice Competition come from endowments, individual donations and the YPO annual budget.
YPO receives major support from the Junior Opera Guild and ongoing grants from Dr. and Mrs. Phillip George and the Marvin A. Fink Memorial, and is grateful for past grants from the Patricia Fuller Harrison Memorial and the Olsen Foundation.