Young Voices Aim for Opera Stardom at the Metropolitan Opera

Behind the unassuming stage door nestled within Lincoln Center’s tunnels, a diverse group of visitors arrives regularly—ranging from celebrated vocalists and orchestra members to stagehands and ushers. On a recent afternoon, however, the guests were notably younger: children aged 7 to 10, clutching stuffed rabbits and backpacks adorned with characters from "Frozen."

Dressed in shiny patent leather shoes, frilly socks, and jackets emblazoned with dinosaurs, these youngsters shared a singular goal—to earn a coveted spot in the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus, a demanding and prestigious training program for aspiring young vocalists.

Nine-year-old Naomi Lu, who counts pop icons like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry among her inspirations, described the day as possibly the most important of her young life. As she calmly knitted a lilac friendship bracelet in the lobby to soothe her nerves, she admitted feeling both anxious and thrilled simultaneously—a feeling she affectionately called being “nerv-cited.”

While many children sing casually in the shower or participate in school choirs, these candidates had traveled from across New York City and its suburbs for a chance to perform on one of opera’s grandest stages. The Metropolitan Opera hosts nearly 200 performances annually, and chorus members can look forward to roles such as the ethereal boys in Mozart’s "The Magic Flute," the Parisian children in Puccini’s "La Bohème," or the street urchins featured in Bizet’s "Carmen."