Academy of Vocal Arts

The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) is a private, post-baccalaureate opera school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of 2023, the AVA grants Artist Diplomas to those who complete the full four-year course requirement, but not degrees. The Artist Diploma is designed to be the equivalent in standards to a Master of Fine Arts in Opera Performance (MFA). AVA is a tuition-free institution of training and pe...

The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) is a private, post-baccalaureate opera school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of 2023, the AVA grants Artist Diplomas to those who complete the full four-year course requirement, but not degrees. The Artist Diploma is designed to be the equivalent in standards to a Master of Fine Arts in Opera Performance (MFA). AVA is a tuition-free institution of training and performance for opera. The school was founded in 1934 by Helen Corning Warden.