On the website for this program it invites young instrumentalists to apply. My primary instrument is voice (and I have applied to the Washington National Opera Young Associates program) but I also have been playing the clarinet for 7 years. Are there other vocalist that go to this program? If I want to apply, should I do so as a clarinetist? I think this would be a really good opportunity for learning more about being a professional musician, whether a vocalist or an orchestral player.
The NSO Young Associates attend NSO rehearsals and Q&As. The majority of Q&As are with string players. If vocal music is your main interest, you probably want to get involved on the WNO side.
You might want to look into their summer institute: http://www.kennedy-center.org/wno/edu/operainstitute/
I just wanted to let anyone else know who might want to apply to this program that it is a great experience! I got in and was notified about 20 days after the application was due. Its a fairly small group of a about 12 of us. The NSO rehearsals that we sit in on are AMAZING, and we get to sit in really good seats in the concert hall. I would say it you are really serious about your instrument to try and get into the NSO Youthfellowship. I met a couple of those kids and they seemed really nice and dedicated to music. Overall I am really excited to be in the program because I get to hear so much fantastic classical music for free!