I'm looking to find 1) the top 6 or 7 graduate programs for opera and
2) the best teachers at those programs for tenors.  Obviously I
understand the two are linked: if there is a teacher who is superb for
Tenors, I suspect he or she would bump up his or her program in the
rankings.

I plan to audition for graduate programs and I'm hoping to get and
outside opinion to corroborate and/or disprove my impressions of
various programs and the impressions of my teachers and friends.

Some guidelines:

1.  I'm looking for the program where a tenor will get the best
instruction, regardless of price or location.
2.  Masters and artist diploma programs only, not doctoral programs.  
3.  It would be wonderful if the list were not limited to programs in
the US, but it is acceptable if it is.
4.  I am 25 (I know this matters for certain programs.)
5.  I have no post-graduate experience (I believe this effectively
locks me out of certain programs).

Thanks-

Please let me know if you receive any information regarding your
question. I am in the exact same position as you. I am a 26 y/o tenor
from New York and would appreciate any feedback!