Washington National Opera Marks 25 Seasons of Cafritz Young Artists Program, Reveals 2026-2027 Roster

Washington National Opera (WNO) has announced the roster of 2026–2027 artists for the milestone 25th season of the Cafritz Young Artists Program (CYAP). The nationally regarded program provides early-career singers, pianists, and coaches with intensive training from WNO mentors and professional performance experience. Cafritz Young Artists gain experience performing wide-ranging repertoire spanning standard operatic literature to new works developed with living composers and librettists.

The 2026–2027 Washington National Opera Cafritz Young Artists are:

First-Year Artists:
Anna Maria Vacca, mezzo-soprano
Reed Gnepper, tenor
Anna Gershtein, pianist

Returning Artists:
Lauren Carroll, soprano
Viviana Goodwin, soprano
Veronica Siebert, mezzo-soprano
Hakeem Henderson, tenor
Thandolwethu Mamba, baritone
Chandler Benn, baritone
Robert Frazier, bass-baritone
Atticus Rego, bass
Deven Shah, pianist

For 25 years, the WNO Cafritz Young Artists Program has nurtured and launched the careers of extraordinary emerging artists, becoming one of the nation’s premier training programs for the next generation of operatic talent. The program was established thanks to the visionary generosity of Calvin and Jane Cafritz and the enduring commitment of The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. The Cafritz family’s support of Washington National Opera began in the 1960s with Calvin’s mother’s belief that a world-class opera company was essential to the cultural life of the nation’s capital. Further, Jane Cafritz previously served as the chair of Washington National Opera’s board of directors, cementing her legacy of service and preeminent role in the life of the organization.

“We’re thrilled to recognize this important anniversary, made possible through individuals who believed in the mission of WNO and the value of great art. Beyond their extraordinary philanthropy, Calvin and Jane Cafritz embraced generations of young artists with personal warmth, encouragement, and unwavering belief in their potential, helping shape not only their careers, but also the spirit of the program itself,” shares WNO General Director Timothy O’Leary.

“We are proud to begin this milestone year as WNO’s Cafritz Young Artist Program celebrates 25 years and WNO celebrates its 70th anniversary since its founding. Throughout its history, an essential part of WNO’s mission has been to develop new voices in opera,” says Christopher Cano, Director of the Cafritz Young Artists Program and American Opera Initiative. “Following an extensive audition process with more than 800 applicants and auditions held in major U.S. cities including Houston, Cincinnati, New York City, and Washington, D.C., WNO is thrilled to welcome another extraordinary class of Cafritz Young Artists. They join returning artists for a year of training, performance, and artistic growth that will lay the foundation for their professional careers.”

“For a quarter-century, WNO has prepared new voices to impact the field of opera,” says WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello. “These young artists represent the future of opera. They are exceptional singers and pianists who are deeply engaged in using this art form as the catalyst to inspire and change the world for the better.”

In addition to training and studio work, the Cafritz Young Artists will appear in WNO productions and programs throughout the 2026–2027 season, including Madama Butterfly, We The People!, Odyssey, Mozart’s Idomeneo: A Trojan Tale, and La traviata.

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Washington National Opera Marks 25 Seasons of Cafritz Young Artists Program, Reveals 2026-2027 Roster

6/24/2026