MyAGMA

RESOURCES FOR AGMA SOLOISTS FROM THE SOLO PRINCIPAL ARTISTS CAUCUS

As opera soloists, we deserve to understand what union membership can mean for our careers. Across AGMA signatory companies, collective bargaining agreements provide important protections and benefits for solo principal artists, and this page highlights those wins!

Through videos featuring soloists sharing their experiences, along with resources to help you better understand AGMA, we aim to make the value of collective representation more visible and relevant to our work. You’ll hear it from your colleagues in these videos, but a union’s strength comes from the people who make it up. The contracts AGMA negotiates are shaped by the priorities, experiences, and participation of members. So, when soloists bring perspectives to negotiating committees, speak up about issues that affect our work, and get involved in the bargaining process, we help make sure our needs are heard at the table.

The page is supported by AGMA’s Solo Principal Artists (SPA) Caucus, which brings together vocal soloists across AGMA signatories to advocate for the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities facing solo principal artists. The Caucus works to strengthen soloists’ voices within AGMA, encourage peer mentorship and solidarity, and build a stronger presence for solo principal artists at the bargaining table.

SPA Caucus Steering Committee:

  • Chair: Andrew Stenson
  • Vice Chair: Ben Bliss
  • Secretary: Ashley Emerson

Are you an AGMA soloist who wants to get involved? Contact the SPA Caucus at spacaucus@musicalartists.org.

 

Resources

Your Voice. Your Work. Your Union.

These videos offer real examples of what collective bargaining can accomplish. You don’t have to be a labor expert to participate on a negotiating committee! Our experiences as soloists are valuable, and our perspective definitely makes a difference at the table.

Principal Artist Contract Wins at Opera Colorado

Katharine Goeldner, AGMA’s New York Region Vice President and a Solo Principal Artist, served on the first-ever Opera Colorado negotiating committee. For principal artists, one of the most important wins in this first agreement is pay-or-play protection (pay-or-play means that once an artist has a contract, they are guaranteed compensation even if the company later decides not to use them). The agreement also includes protections around the total number of hours artists can be required to work, as well as guaranteed compensation for Covers. Role classifications will now be based on Schedule C or mutual agreement with AGMA, creating more transparency and consistency. Artists will also receive guaranteed complimentary tickets, and those traveling more than 65 miles from Denver will receive round-trip economy airfare, with up to two checked bags, employer-provided lodging, and local transportation when the work site is not within walking distance. A safety advancement is that certain productions will now require an AGMA Intimacy Director, separate from the Stage Director, so that artists have dedicated support during sensitive or potentially triggering work.

Principal Artist Contract Wins at Los Angeles Opera

Craig Colclough of Los Angeles Opera shares highlights from AGMA’s four-year contract with LAO. The new agreement includes wage increases of 3%, 3%, 3%, and 4% over the life of the contract for all AGMA categories, along with increased Principal Artist retirement contributions. The committee also secured support for Young Artists entering the profession, with LA Opera covering AGMA initiation fees and first-year dues for new AGMA members in the Young Artist Program. That’s huge, especially for artists just beginning to build their careers and living within tight financial means. Meaningful progress was also made around safety and respect in the rehearsal room. The agreement now requires Intimacy Directors and Fight Directors when needed, and no artist can be asked to participate in intimate or vulnerable content without consent. An earlier release of next-day rehearsal schedules was also secured, providing artists with more predictability and a better work-life balance.

Principal Artist Contract Wins at Boston Lyric Opera

Angela Yam served on AGMA’s negotiating committee during negotiations with Boston Lyric Opera. This agreement delivers meaningful gains for Principal Artists, with minimum rates for Principals increasing by 5%, 5%, and 3% over the life of the contract. Guaranteed up-front payment protections for Principals were secured too. The definition of holidays was expanded, new protections against rehearsing or performing during poor air quality events were added, and anti-discrimination language to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression, pregnancy, and body size was strengthened.

Principal Artist Contract Wins at Pittsburgh Opera

AGMA Member and PA Area Committee Chair JPat McGill shares singer gains in the Pittsburgh Opera contract. Highlights include real progress on wages, working conditions, and equity. Over the life of the contract, Principals will see raises totaling over 23%, while Chorister friends will receive steady annual increases totaling over 15.5%, with a 10% boost to all other fees. Importantly, Resident Artists now have a clear pathway to fair compensation for covering roles. The agreement also expands access and inclusion with thoughtful costume and makeup provisions that respect Artists’ identities and ensure access to all-gender bathrooms and dressing rooms.

Principal Artists Contract Wins at San Francisco Opera

Principal Artist Chris Oglesby offers a behind-the-scenes look at contract gains at San Francisco Opera. From full pay for Adler Fellows performing leading roles to true overtime protections, improved scheduling, and expanded sick leave, these changes reflect the impact of artists working together at the bargaining table.