Finalists: WOMEN in OPERA, 2018-19

This listing was revised on 3/2/19 to add a name that had been originally listed in the incorrect category.—DK

The American Prize is pleased to announce NATIONAL FINALIST women in opera and operetta for 2018-19 in all divisions, The FRIEDRICH and VIRGINIA SCHORR MEMORIAL AWARD in VOICE. Congratulations! To know the exact date when winners and runners-up will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award honors the memory of the greatest Wagnerian baritone of his age, Friedrich Schorr, who commanded the operatic stage between the world wars, and his wife, Virginia Schorr, who taught studio voice at the Manhattan School of Music and the Hartt School of Music for nearly fifty years. 

If you are not a finalist this year, please remember that the contests are not yet over. The American Prize reserves the right to award Honorable Mentions and Citations for Special Achievement to any contestant, regardless of final placement. TAP has honored a number of semi-finalists and quarter finalists in the past--to recognize a unique talent or focus, unusual repertoire, vital programming or outreach. Citations and Honorable Mentions are usually awarded at the same time as winners and runners-up, but can be presented at any time up to the last winners' announcement of the contest year.

All contestants are reminded they are responsible for the viability of their online links to audition materials. Those links must remain active until the end of the contest year. Questions, or to make us aware of any misprints in the listings below, please email: theamericanprize@gmail.com

We invite finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on their facebook page, tweeting the news, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog. A sample announcement may be found at the end of the post.

NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—opera & operetta, professional division (women),  2018-19

Karen Archbold
Glen Ellyn IL  
   
Lauren Auge
Kansas City MO  
   
Elizabeth Bivens-Logan
Lindenhurst IL  
   
Emily Yocum Black
Paducah KY  
   
Rachel Blaustein
Olney MD  
   
Taylor Hillary Boykins
Pontiac MI  
   
Youna Hartgraves
Carrollton TX  
  
Abigail Levis
Claremont CA  
   
Meredith Mecum
Bronx NY

Lisa Newill-Smith
Berlin GERMANY
   
Jacqueline Piccolino
Chicago IL  
   
Leandra Ramm
Pittsburg CA  
  
Dana Lynne Varga
Brighton MA  
   
Congcong Wang
Sunnyvale CA  

 
NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—opera & operetta, college/university division (women),  2018-19

Zarah Brock
Fredericksburg VA  
   
Alyce Daubenspeck
Nazareth PA  
   
Clare Demer
Tucson AZ  
       
Keely Futterer
Dover AR  
   
Victoria Lawal
Los Angeles CA  
   
Shaina Martinez
Germantown MD  
       
Sarah Clementine Mire
Lubbock TX  
   
Michelle Ravitsky
San Antonio TX

Rebecca Sacks
Athens GA  
   
Lani Stait
Chicago IL  
       
Julia Claire Taylor
Coronado CA 


NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—opera & operetta, high school division (women),  2018-19

Rebecca Clark
West Hartford  CT

Alina Dong
Houston TX

Alea Vernon
Cheshire CT

***

We encourage finalists to make the most of their selection by announcing it on social media, and including a link to this announcement on their website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a national finalist in the (blank) division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts. Here's the link: (copy link here). The American Prize will be announcing winners in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Prize-celebrating-American-excellence-in-the-arts/214320622728 or Twitter: https://twitter.com/americanprize "

Please feel free to modify or expand this announcement to suit your needs.

Congratulations to all finalists.