Meitar Opera Studio
The Young Artists Program of the Israeli Opera

Since its establishment, the Meitar Opera Studio program has provided unique training for young talented Israeli opera singers who are graduates of music academies. For two years, program participants gain experience in the multifaceted work offered by a professional opera house: working with leading directors and conductors, learning new roles, receiving guidance from professional musical and stage staff, language and diction instruction, acting and movement training, and more. During the training program, the Studio produces many productions through which young singers gain expertise in stage work, use of scenery, props and costumes, and experience opera work as an ensemble. Additionally, studio members participate in children’s opera hours and the Israeli Opera’s educational activities throughout the country for diverse audiences.

In its 23 years of existence, the Meitar Opera Studio program has proven its importance in nurturing opera talent and new generations of outstanding Israeli singers. Over one hundred Studio graduates to date have appeared in dozens of roles on the Israeli Opera stage, worked with leading international artists, represented the Opera in numerous concerts in Israel and abroad, and performed a varied operatic repertoire with Israel’s finest orchestras.

Many Meitar Opera Studio graduates, among them Oded Reich, Alla Vasilevitski, Hila Fahima, David Bizic, Hila Baggio, Rachel Frenkel, Yael Levita, Anat Czarny, Galina Benevic, Ira Bertman, Na'ama Goldman, Tal Ganor, Michal Doron, Noa Danon, Shiri Hershkovitz, Nofar Yacobi, Shahar Lavi, Dana Marbach, Daniela Skorka, Yair Polishook, Yasmin Levy-Ellentuck and others, regularly perform in leading European opera houses and manage impressive careers.

A special thank you to the Zvi and Ofra Meitar Family Foundation for their long-standing generous support, which enabled the establishment of the Studio and its continued success. Our heartfelt gratitude is also extended to all of the Studio’s supporters, Irith Rappoport, scholarship donors: Susanne & René Braginsky, the Nacht Family, Porter Foundation, Ronen Foundation and Kena and Zalman Shoval.

The Music Director of the Meitar Opera Studio is David Sebba.
The Artistic Director of the Meitar Opera Studio is Shirit Lee Weiss.

Members of the Meitar Opera Studio, 2024/25 are:

Shlomit Leah Kovalski, Tamara Nishri, Veronika Odintsov, Audelia Shallev, Romi Zelig – soprano

Kirill Odintsov, Roi Witz – baritone

For information about joining the Studio, please contact Sarah Stoianov-Cohen, Education & Opera Studio Administrator: Sarah@israelopera.org.il 

Opera Studio Members since its inception:

2020-2021

Tom Cohen, soprano

Stas Davidov, tenor

Ksenia Glonty, soprano

Noam Heinz, baritone

Sivan Keren, soprano

Yarden Kiperman, mezzo soprano

Tamara Navoth, mezzo soprano

Karina Radzion, mezzo soprano

Rona Shrira, mezzo soprano

2019-2020

Tom Ben Ishai, soprano

Shira Cohen, soprano

Tom Cohen, soprano

Sivan Keren, soprano

Tamara Navoth, mezzo soprano

Karina Radzion, mezzo soprano

Rona Shrira, mezzo soprano

2018-2019
Tom Ben Ishai, soprano

Veronika Brook, soprano

Shira Cohen, soprano

Efrat Hacohen Bram, soprano

Pnini Leon Grubner, bass

Liat Lidor, soprano
Yuli Rorman, mezzo soprano
Shaked Strul, soprano

2017-2018 
Maya Bakstansky, mezzo-soprano

Veronika Brook, soprano 

Efrat Hacohen Bram, soprano
Zlata Khershberg, mezzo soprano 

Pnini Leon Grubner, bass

Liat Lidor, soprano
Yuli Rorman, mezzo soprano  

Shaked Strul, soprano

2016-2017
Irene Alhazov, soprano
Maya Bakstansky, mezzo-soprano

Michal Doron, mezzo-soprano

Tal Ganor, soprano
Galina Khlyzova, soprano 
Efrat Vulfsons, soprano
Nofar Yacobi, soprano