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CONDUCTOR FINALISTS, 2013: in all categories

The American Prize  is pleased to announce FINALIST CONDUCTORS, 2013: orchestras, choruses, bands, opera/musical theater.

Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when winners will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

One prize will be awarded in each of the following divisions. Several runners-up will also be announced in each category. All finalists receive written evaluations. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions to any entrant at their discretion.

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, professional
     
Darin Lewis  Simpatico Chamber Ensemble  Stamford, CT
Jason Lim   Odysseus Chamber Orchestra   Denton, TX
Judith Morse   Edison Symphony Edison, NJ
Vlad Vizireanu   George Enescu Philharmonic   Bucharest, Romania
Nan Harrison Washburn   Michigan Philharmonic   Plymouth, MI
     

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, community

David Bernard   Park Avenue Chamber Symphony   New York, NY
Anna Edwards   Seattle Collaborative Orchestra     Seattle, WA
Christopher Koch   Springfield-Drury Civic Orchestra   Springfield, MO
Tara Towson Villa   Davidson College Symphony Orchestra   Davidson, NC      

  
FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, college/university

"A very strong field of candidates working in diverse circumstances, each worthy of additional consideration and evaluation..."

David Gargaro   Bard College Orchestra   Annandale on Hudson, NY
Taeyoung Lee   Mannes Orchestra   New York, NY
Qinqing Qian   SFCM Conservatory Orchestra   San Francisco, CA
Alexandra Dee   Florida State University Philharmonia   Tallahassee, FL
Steven Eric Hawk   University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra   Athens, GA
Carlos Espinosa  University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra Lawrence, KS
Lance Inouye   Lewis and Clark Orchestra   Portland, OR
Jeffery Meyer   Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra   Ithaca, NY
Jason Fredrick Rinehart   Univ. of Louisiana at Monroe   Monroe, LA
Bryce Seliger   Pacific Philharmonic   Forest Grove, OR
Kevin Sutterlin   University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra   Memphis, TN
Chaowen Ting   Eastman Philharmonia   Rochester, NY
Vlad Vizireanu   Arizona State Univ. Symphony Orchestra   Tempe, AZ
Vera Volchansky   Mellersville University Orchestra   Lancaster, PA
     
 
FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—Orchestra division, youth
      
Thomas Taylor Dickey   Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra   Dubuque, IA
Alyze Dreiling   YPO Soloist Ensemble   San Diego, CA
Jonathan Handman   Vivace Arlington HS Philharmonia   Poughkeepsie, NY
Christopher T.F. Hanson  SMART Orchestra  San Marcos, TX
Michael Webster   Houston Youth Symphony   Houston, TX
     
  
FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—Choral division     

"Taken as a whole, a very strong field of candidates—exceptionally musical, committed and passionate..."

Donald Kendrick   Sacramento Choral Society   Sacramento, CA
Darin Lewis   St. Francis Choir   Stamford, CT
Thomas R. Vozzella   Free Will Baptist Choral Union   Nashville, TN
Ingrid Lestrud   Conservatory Choir   Chicago, IL
Peggy Dettwiler   Mansfield University Festival Chorus   Mansfield, PA
Timothy S. McDonnell   Ave Maria University Chamber Choir   Ave Maria, FL
Richard Nance   Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West   Tacoma, WA


FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—Band/Wind Ensemble division   
     
Joel Bein   High Desert Winds   Santa Fe, NM
Benjamin Lorenzo (various) Austin, Lubbock TX, West Point, NY
Thanapol Setabrahmana   CCM Wind Studies      Cincinnati, OH
Christopher Unger   Eastman Wind Ensemble/Eastman Wind Orchestra   Rochester, NY


FINALISTS: The American Prize in Conducting—Opera & Music Theater division
           
Robert W. Butts   BONJ Opera   Madison, NJ
   The Magic Flute
Brian DeMaris   Ithaca College   Ithaca, NY
   Gianni Schicchi
Eric Peterson   Savoynet Performing Group   Buxton, England
   The Sorcerer
Qinqing Qian   San Francisco Conservatory of Music   San Francisco, CA
   Don Giovanni
Maria Sensi Sellner   Hubbard Hall Opera Theater   Cambridge, NY
   La Traviata 
Maria Sensi Sellner   Boston Opera Collaborative   Boston, MA
   Orpheus in the Underworld      

      

Vytautas Marijosius

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Programming—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award 

John Stickler   Gulf Coast Symphony   Biloxi, MS

Donald L. Appert   Clark College Orchestra   Vancouver, WA

Jason Love   Columbia Orchestra   Ellicott City, MD

Tara Towson Villa   Lee County Community Orchestra   Sanford, NC

Tara Towson Villa   Davidson College Symphony Orchestra   Davidson, NC

Jeffery Meyer   Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra   Ithaca, NY

Alyze Dreiling   YPO Soloist Ensemble   San Diego, CA


***

Congratulations to all finalists.

FINALIST ENSEMBLES, 2013: in all categories

The American Prize  is pleased to announce 2013 ENSEMBLE FINALISTS: orchestras, choruses, bands, opera companies.

Congratulations!

To know the exact day and time when winners will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page, where the information will be posted. 

One prize will be awarded in each of the following divisions. Several runners-up will also be announced in each category. All finalists receive written evaluations. The judges reserve the right to award special citations and honorable mentions to any entrant at their discretion.

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—professional orchestra 
(Due to a computer error, one name was inadvertently left off this list when first published. We apologize for the oversight.)

John Gordon Ross  Western Piedmont Symphony         Hickory, NC
Nan Harrison   Washburn Michigan Philharmonic   Plymouth, MI
Jason Lim   Odysseus Chamber Orchestra   Denton, TX
     
     
FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—community orchestra  

Donald L. Appert   Clark College Orchestra          Vancouver, WA
David Bernard   Park Avenue Chamber Symphony   New York, NY
Anna Edwards   Seattle Collaborative Orchestra       Seattle, WA
Charles Salembier, Peter Wilson  Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra   Waynesboro, VA
James Villani   Manassas Symphony Orchestra       Manassas, VA
     
     
FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—college/university orchestra  

Michael Alexander   Kennesaw State University Symphony Orchestra   Kennesaw, GA
Steven Amundson   St. Olaf Orchestra  Northfield, MN
Taeyoung Lee   Mannes Orchestra   New York, NY
Mitchell Arnold   West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra   Morgantown, WV
Stephen Heyde   Baylor Symphony   Waco, TX
Jeffery Meyer   Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra   Ithaca, NY

     

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—school orchestra  

Jonathan Handman   Arlington HS Philharmonia   LaGrangeville, NY
Dr. Shira Katsman   Interlake HS Chamber Orchestra   Bellevue, WA
Patrick R. O'Connor   District 214 Honors Orchestra   Mt. Prospect, IL
Ryan Ross   Jasper HS Legacy Orchestra   Plano, TX

     
     
FINALISTS: The American Prize in Orchestral Performance—youth orchestra  

Mary Cowans, Gioacchino Longobardi   Saratoga Springs Youth Orchestra   Saratoga Springs, NY
Gabriella Fryer, Jonathan Handman    Vivace   Poughkeepsie, NY
Michael Webster   Houston Youth Symphony   Houston, TX


FINALISTS: The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance
     
Brian Hughes   Quad City Wind Ensemble   Davenport, IA
David Thomas Kehler   Kennesaw State Univ. Wind Ensemble   Kennesaw, GA
Stephen Meyer   Clear Creek High School Wind Ensemble   League City, TX
Teren  Shaffer   Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble           Santa Ana, CA

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—community

"In the community choral division, an assemblage of very strong entrants in diverse circumstances, led by an exceptionally musical, committed and passionate group of conductors."

Ryan Brandau   Princeton Pro Musica   Princeton, NJ
Eric Nelson   Atlanta Sacred Chorale   Atlanta, GA
Judith Gary   The Virginia Consort Festival Chorus   Charlottesville, VA
Mark Shapiro  The Cecilia Chorus of New York  NY, NY
Mark Shapiro   Cantori New York   New York, NY
Ryan Heller   Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble   Austin, TX
Donald Kendrick   Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra   Sacramento, CA
Nancy Menk   South Bend Chamber Singers                   South Bend, IN
Robert Bode   Choral Arts   Seattle, WA
Marsha Owens, Matthew Boice   Washington Festival Chorale   Washington, PA
Michael Pettry, Eric Stark   Indianapolis Symphonic Choir   Indianapolis, IN
Loren Ponten   Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble   Seattle, WA
     

FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—college/university

"Taken as a whole, the college/university division presents perhaps the strongest group of finalists we have had in this category in any year—musical, exciting, passionate..."
    
James M. Reddan   Linn-Benton Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir   Albany, OR
Kimberly Dunn Adams   Western Michigan University Chorale   Kalamazoo, MI
Peggy Dettwiler   Mansfield University Concert Choir   Mansfield, PA
David Holdhusen   Univ. of South Dakota Chamber Singers   Vermillion, SD
Richard Nance   Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West   Tacoma, WA
James Rodde   Iowa State Singers   Ames, IA
Mark Shapiro   LIU Post Chamber Singers   Brookville, NY
Ethan Sperry   Portland State Chamber Choir   Portland, OR


FINALISTS: The American Prize in Choral Performance—youth/high school

Karyn Joaquino Brearley   B-Naturals   New York, NY
Erin E. Plisco   Pinecrest High School Chamber Ensemble   Southern Pines, NC
Angie Johnson   Young Naperville Singers Chamber Singers   Naperville, IL


FINALISTS: The American Prize in Opera Performance
     
Karen Rich   dell'Arte Opera Ensemble   New York, NY
   Dialogues of the Carmelites
Mary E. Sederburg   Undercroft Opera   Pittsburgh, PA
   Susannah
Lidiya Yankovskaya   Lowell House Opera, Harvard University   Cambridge, MA
   The Snow Maiden
Brian DeMaris   Ithaca College Ithaca, NY
   Suor Angelica / Gianni Schicchi
Carleen Graham   Crane School of Music, SUNY-Potsdam   Potsdam, NY
   Coronation of Poppea
Alan E. Hicks   Martha-Ellen Tye Opera Theatre, Univ. of Iowa   Iowa City, IA
   Turn of the Screw
Tracelyn Gesteland   University of South Dakota Opera   Vermillion, SD
   Dido and Aeneas


***

Congratulations to all finalists.

FINALIST ENSEMBLES, 2013: orchestras, choruses, bands, 2013

The American Prize  is pleased to announce ENSEMBLE FINALISTS for 2013.

This announcement has been updated with additional categories. Please follow the link below to view the complete list.

http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2013/07/finalist-ensembles-2013-in-all.html

FINALIST CONDUCTORS, 2013: orchestras, choruses, bands

The American Prize  is pleased to announce FINALIST CONDUCTORS, 2013.

This announcement has been updated with additional categories. Please follow the link below to view the complete list.

http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2013/07/conductor-finalists-2013-in-all.html

Announcing COMPOSITION winner, runners-up: orchestra division, student, 2013

The American Prize is honored to announce the winner and runners-up of The American Prize in Composition:  Orchestra Division, Student category, 2013. 

Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.  

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com


The American Prize in Composition: Orchestra Division, STUDENT category, 2013.

The American Prize winner: 
Michael-Thomas Foumai   (Ann Arbor, MI)
—CONCERTO for ORCHESTRA

Michael-Thomas Foumai

Named Composer of the Year by the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, Michael-Thomas Foumai was awarded the 2012 Jacob Druckman Prize from the Aspen Music Festival. He has beeen awarded two BMI awards and was named winner of the Merle J. Isaac Composition Competition. His works have been performed across the United States, Japan, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand with performances by the Buffalo Philharmonic, New England Philharmonic, Honolulu Symphony and Chorus, Alarm Will Sound and many more. Michael holds degrees from the Universities of Hawaii and Michigan. He is currently a doctoral fellow  at UofM. (www.michaelfoumai.com)

Among judges' comments: "Exciting music, due largely to an active carving across the flow of the beat, displaying a sophisticated and personal command of rhythm."


2nd Place:
YoungWoo Yoo   (Champaign, IL)
—HONBUL (RE-CREATION FROM ABOVE)

YoungWoo Yoo

Born in Seoul, South Korea, YoungWoo Yoo began her classical composition studies at the age of 15 and earned prizes in several national and international competitions. Her works have been performed in Italy, France, Netherlands, Albania, Greece, U.S., and South Korea. Ms. Yoo was the first-prize winner of the 2006 ValTidone International Music Competitions-'Edigio Carella Composition Competition' (Italy) and the finalist of the 2007 International Contest of Composition Henri Dutilleux (France), the 2008 Ton de Leeuw International Competition for Young Composers (Netherland, Albania). In 2008, she was a Distinguised Musician of the IBLA Foundation Master Prize for Competition (Italy), she received the International Music Prizes (Greece) in 2009 and Manhattan Prize 2010 (USA, Manhattan School of Music). YoungWoo was also selected participant for Master Classes with Samuel Adler and Matthias Pintscher at Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Yoo holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Ewha Womans University-College of Music and Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Dr. J Mark Stambaugh. She is a doctorate student (DMA) and studies with Dr. Sever Tipei at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Among judges' comments: "The instruments are used appropriately and effectively, both as individual colors and in terms of sectional strengths...The flow of music across time is well-personalized."    


3rd Place:
Geoffrey Pope   (Denver, CO)
—VOTIVE

Geoffrey Pope

Geoffrey Pope (b. 1986) has been recognized through numerous commissions and appointments as a composer and conductor. Pope received his undergraduate degree in composition at the University of Southern California, and went on to receive Master’s degrees in composition and conducting at the Eastman School of Music, where he was awarded the prestigious Walter Hagen Conducting Prize. A proponent of contemporary music, Pope seeks to present provocative and engaging programs that have a strong cultural impact. As a composer, Pope has enjoyed performances by various ensembles and individuals across the United States and Europe. His current project is an opera based on a true story from the Bosnian War—Sarajevo Vespers—with a libretto by forensic archaeologist and novelist Courtney Angela Brkić, is due to be completed in 2013. For more information, please visit www.geoffreypopemusic.com.

Among judges' comments: "Intimate, contained, ritual music that moves in a very "human" progress – almost as if strands of thought come forward, linger in examination and then dissipate."  

Announcing VOCAL WINNERS, runners-up: opera: women, 2013

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Opera Division (women), 2013. 




Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.  

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

(We are currently awaiting an acceptance in the professional category.) 

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Opera Division (women), 2013, PROFESSIONAL:  

The American Prize winner:
Suzanne Vinnik   (New York, NY)

Suzanne Vinnik

During the 2012-2013 season this exciting 26-year-old soprano makes her highly anticipated debut with Florida Grand Opera in La traviata as Violetta Valéry under the baton of Maestro Ramon Tebar. She opened the season with a performance in Washington D.C. for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's (CHCI) 35th Awards, where she followed US Vice President Joe Biden. Upcoming engagements include a concert with legendary tenor Marcello Giordani with Vero Beach Opera, concerts with the Marcello Giordani Foundation at Merkin Concert Hall and Opera America and Mahler's Symphony No. 4 with Rouge Valley Symphony. Various highlights include Micaela in Carmen with Lyric Opera Virginia, Musetta in La boheme with Lorin Maazel's Castleton Festival, Nevada Opera Theatre, and Opera North, Leila in Les pêcheurs de perles and Gretel in Hansel und Gretel, both with Pittsburgh Opera. She is the recipient of numerous awards most notably from Georg Solti Foundation, The American Prize, Sullivan Foundation, Gerda Lissner, Opera Index, George London, Palm Beach Opera, Queen Sonja International Music Competition among others. Please visit www.suzannevinnik.com for more information on this artist.

Among judges' comments: "...a rich voice of incredible clarity and beauty…..perfect for the repertoire submitted."

2nd Place: 
Josefien Stoppelenburg   (Evanston, IL)


Josefien Stoppelenb

Josefien Stoppelenburg, soprano, performs frequently as soloist in the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany. In Chicago she has performed with Baroque Band, the Apollo Chorus, the Newberry Consort, Handel Week Festival, Fulcrum Point, Ars Musica, Music of the Baroque and the Chicago Bar Association Symphony. From 2005 until 2007 Josefien was part of the Young Opera Ensemble of Cologne. Her operatic roles include Serpina (La Serva Padrona), Amor (Orfeo ed Euridice) and Belinda (Dido and Aeneas), and Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine. She sang Aci in the Haymarket Opera Company’s acclaimed premiere of Handel’s Aci, Galatea e Polifemo and Tirsi in Clori, Tirsi e Fileno. Recent engagements include Bach/Pergolesi Stabat Mater (with Camerata Amsterdam), Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Stabat Mater, Handel's La Resurrezione and Dixit Dominus (Baroque Band), Faure Requiem with Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, and the world premiere of Jacob TV’s The News, a multi-media reality opera, in Pittsburgh. Josefien won The American Prize Chicago Oratorio Award earlier this season. See also www.josefienstoppelenburg.com

Among judges' comments: "You are vocally superb in this genre.  Both the Latin and the German are clear and accurate. Beautiful performances!"  


3rd Place:
Arietha Lockhart   (Decatur GA)

Arietha Lockhart

 
Arietha Lockhart was the voice of the White Butterfly during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. A favorite soloist of conductor Robert Shaw, she frequently performs works by contemporary American composers as well as music of international masters in recitals and concerts. Recent performances include works by Handel, Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Her roles include Zerbinetta (Ariadne), Queen of the Night (Magic Flute) Mama King in the contemporary opera (I Dream) about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by composer Douglas Tappin. Her prizes and honors include: an Aspen Music Festival fellowship, 2nd place in the first Competition sponsored by Classical Singer Magazine, The National Opera Association Competition’s Legacy Award, 2nd place in The Center for Contemporary Opera International, the Friedrich Shorr Memorial Prize in Voice, Super Finalist in American Opera Idol Competition, 3rd place in the Oratorio Society of New York competition, and winner of the Meistersinger Competition in Graz, Austria.  Website: www.AriethaLockhart.com

Among judges' comments: "Lovely, light coloratura. Good sense of variety of styles in submitted selections..."





The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Opera Division (women), 2013, COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:

The American Prize winner:
Lilla Heinrich Szász   (Princeton, NJ)

Lilla Heinrich Szász

24 year old soprano Lilla Heinrich Szász has won critical acclaim for her “appealing sound, agile coloratura and oversize wit” (The New York Times) and
has performed to great acclaim in both operatic and concert repertoire across the U.S and Europe. She is a masters student at Juilliard, where she received her Bachelors and is a recent winner of the Juilliard Honors Recital.  Operatic highlights include Lucinde (MET + Juilliard collaboration of Gluck's Armide), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Belinda (Dido and Aeneas), Helena (Midsummer Night's Dream), Laetitia (Old Maid and the Thief), Geraldine (Hand of Bridge) and has fully covered the roles of Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Zhou (Kommilitonen! U.S. premier) and Drusilla (L'incoronazione di Poppea). She has also worked with renowned artists Richard Bonynge, Alan Gilbert, William Christie, Ken Noda, Graham Johnson, Warren Jones and performed in Marilyn Horne's Foundation Festival at Carnegie Hall. www.lillaheinrichszasz.com

Among judges' comments: "The instrument is round and supple, overall, with a wonderful attention to musicality."  


2nd Place:
Vanessa Naghdi    (Manassas, VA) 

Vanessa Naghdi

Lyric coloratura soprano Vanessa Naghdi received her Bachelor of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her opera and musical theater credits include Amelia Goes to the Ball (Amelia), Hansel and Gretel (Dew Fairy), Suor Angelica (Lay Sister), Die Fledermaus, and most recently, Camelot with Virginia Opera. Vanessa has also performed opera in Europe, including in Die Jungfrau von Orléans (Solo Angel) and Suor Angelica (Genevieffa) with the Mittelsächsisches Theater, and in recital, including in “An Evening of Mörike Lieder.”  She has performed with the Crittenden Opera Studio and Buck Hill-Skytop Music Festival. In 2011, Ms. Naghdi was awarded both the Summer Studies Grant and Friends of Opera Scholarship from VCU’s Department of Music and was the First Place winner in the VA NATS Competition. She is a current student of Elizabeth K. Vrenios and will be attending graduate school for voice in the fall of 2013.

Among judges' comments: "...a lovely voice with plenty of color and a control that communicates skillful expression."


3rd Place:
Diana Yodzis    (Matthews, NC)

Diana Yodzis

Diana Yodzis, mezzo-soprano, is an active performer in Opera, musical theater and concert works. Roles include Hansel, Hansel and Gretel, Mother, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Laurie, Oklahoma!, Announcer, Gallantry, and more.  A senior at UNCG, Ms. Yodzis will be starting graduate studies in the fall after spending her summer at Warren Jones and Marilyn Horne's prestigious young artist program at The Music Academy of the West, where she will sing the Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte.  Diana is a frequent award winner in competitions including National MTNA (Finalist, 2013), NC Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Encouragement Award, 2013), NCNATS (1st place, 2009-2013) and others.  Ms. Yodzis is an Alyse Smith Cooper Music Scholarship recipient at UNCG under the tutelage of Dr. Nancy Walker.

Among judges' comments: "a rich, round instrument that is consistently powerful and luxurious throughout the voice."





The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Opera Division (women), 2013, HIGH SCHOOL: 

The American Prize winner:
Emily Pogorelc   (Whitefish Bay, WI)

Emily Pogorelc

Emily Pogorelc is 16 years old and a junior at Whitefish Bay High School in Wisconsin. She has been studying voice since the age of 9 and currently studies with Julia Faulkner. In the past year, she was awarded first place at the Classical Singer Magazine Competition, Music Teachers National Association Competition, the Schmidt Competition and the Walgreen's National Concerto Competition as well as winning first place at Wisconsin NATS. This year, Emily won a place in the Florentine Opera High School Master Class Competition. Emily has performed with the Florentine Opera, Skylight Opera and Opera a la Carte and attended Walnut Hill's summer intensive program in 2012.

Among judges' comments: "...brings power and flexibility to her performance while maintaining a sense of delicacy to softer selections."


2nd Place:
Hayley Boggs    (Oakland, MI)

Hayley Boggs

Hayley has been receiving vocal instruction for six years and is currently studying under Martha Sheil at the University of Michigan. She has been involved in over twenty community theatre productions, but her passion is opera. She won first place in the Hal Leonard Art Song competition and placed third in their Musical Theatre Division. She made it to semifinals in the Classical Singer Competition. Also, she was a vocal soloist at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in 2012.

Among judges' comments: "a round, ringing quality.  She shows much promise...and dramatically interprets her selections with conviction and energy."


3rd Place:
Emily Perry    (Powell, OH)

Emily Perry

Emily Perry, 16, is a sophomore at Olentangy Liberty High School and a member of several of its choirs.  Additionally, Emily is a member of the Columbus International Children's Choir and a private student of Yvonne Shapiro-Mazo.  When not pursuing her love for singing, Emily enjoys working with autistic children, reading, spending time with her family and friends, working on mission trips, and writing.  Emily resides in Powell, Ohio with her mother, father, and brother.

Among judges' comments: "a strong upper range with good support...gesture is effective when used in the context of the aria's message..." 


***
Congratulations to winners and runners-up.

Announcing COMPOSITION winners, runners-up: CHAMBER MUSIC

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Composition: Chamber Music Division, 2013. (Updated July 31, 2013)


Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.  

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com


The American Prize in Composition: Chamber Music Division, PROFESSIONAL category, 2013.

The American Prize winner: 
Michael Deak   (Gig Harbor, WA)—INTROSPECTIONS, for two guitars

Michael Deak

Michael Deak was born in Los Angeles 10/10/1942. His father was a concert pianist who studied with Franz Liszt's students and Bela Bartok. Imre died in 1945, a month after his friend, Bartok, thus depriving Michael of his father's great experience. Michael grew up in Pasadena, but didn't pursue music until he was 19. He studied with Morten Lauridsen and Ellis Kohs at USC. Michael has won two competitions, was a finalist in a Greek competition this past March, and has been recorded twice. Michael has had a broadcast of his piano music on KUSC-FM in L.A., and he has been published. Michael and his wife, Barbara, now live in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Among judges' comments: "an extremely attractive and skillfully written work with an impressionist flavor that shows range and variety, imagination, an individual voice..."


2nd Place:

Nancy Bloomer Deussen

Nancy Bloomer Deussen   
(Mountain View, CA)—WOODWIND QUINTET

American composer Nancy Bloomer Deussen is well known as a  composer, performer and arts impressario. She is a leader in the growing  movement for more melodic, tonally oriented contemporary music and is  co-founder and President Emeritus of the SF Bay Chapter of the National  Association of Composers, USA.  Her original works have been performed in  the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, China and Indonesia and she has received numerous  commissions both locally and nationally. Ms Bloomer Deussen holds BM and MM degrees from The Manhattan  School of Music and a BM in Music Ed from the USC School of Music and her teachers of composition were Vittorio Giannini, Lukas Foss, Ingolf Dahl and Wilson Coker. Recent performances of her works include: "A Field in Pennsylvania" by The Dayton Philharmonic Symphony, "Solstice Circle" at the American Harp  Society concert in San Francisco, "Carmel by-the Sea" by the US Army  Symphony Orchestra, "Ascent to Victory" by Orchestra Nova of San Diego, "Music From the Heartland", "Adirondak Morn" and "Two American Songs" at the American Pen Women conference in Washington, DC, "San Andreas  Suite" by the Divisa Ensemble, and numerous others. www.nancybloomerdeussen.com

Among judges' comments: "lovely...the finale is a fast and energetic movement with distinctive themes..."


3rd Place:
David P. Sartor   (Hermitage, TN)—POLYGON, for brass quintet

David P. Sartor

Composer and conductor David P. Sartor is Adjunct Professor of Composition at Trevecca Nazarene University.  He has received the prestigious Ostwald Award from the American Bandmasters Association, the National Fine Arts Award, and more than two dozen awards from New Music for Young Ensembles, Meet The Composer, Delta Omicron and ASCAP, among others.  Sartor is a popular guest composer, conductor and lecturer whose engagements include the Washington National Cathedral, Illinois State University, Middle Tennessee State University, the Nexus Chamber Orchestra and California State University, sponsored by New York City’s Meet The Composer Foundation. In 2009, Sartor was inducted as a National Patron of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity in recognition of his accomplishments as a composer and conductor.  His works are recorded on the ERM label, are published by E.C. Schirmer, Shawnee Press, and Metamorphic Music, and are distributed worldwide by J. W Pepper. Web site: http://davidsartor.com

Among judges' comments: "...skill and motivic rigor in its thematic treatment, with idiomatic parts, varied textures, and gleaming brass sonorities...


Special Citation:
for Unique Skill in Combining Classical Techniques with Popular Idioms

Bradley Sowash   (Worthington, OH)

Bradley Sowash

Bradley Sowash is a concert jazz pianist, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, author/educator and composer/arranger.  As a musician, he has performed in every imaginable setting from living rooms, churches and jazz clubs to major concert venues both here and abroad for over thirty years.  His broadcast credits include seven seasons of appearances on the PBS-TV series, The Piano Guy, and National Public Radio has aired selections from his nine CDs.  As an educator specializing in improvisation, he teaches master classes nationwide and currently serves as Pop/Jazz chairperson for the Music Teachers National Association. The Neil A. Kjos Music Company publishes his many instructional books and Augsburg Fortress Press has published several volumes of his hymn arrangements.  Additionally, he writes and self-publishes works for ballet, big band, choir, film, orchestra, solo piano and string quartet.





The American Prize in Composition: Chamber Music Division, STUDENT category, 2013.

The American Prize winner:
Melissa Dunphy   (Philadelphia, PA)—TESLA'S PIGEON—for soprano and piano

Melissa Dunphy

Nationally acclaimed award-winning composer Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980 in Brisbane, Australia) is best known for her large scale choral work, the Gonzales Cantata, which received rave press from the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Harper’s Magazine, and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. Melissa’s compositions have been performed by Chanticleer, Simon Carrington Chamber Singers, St. Louis Chamber Chorus, American Opera Theater, Anti-Social Music, Network for New Music, and at various electroacoustic festivals. Dunphy has also received awards from The Tesla Science Foundation, National Association of Teachers of Singing, ASCAP and the Lotte Lehmann Foundation, and written for Ensemble Epomeo, Voice of this Generation, the Kennett Symphony Orchestra and Children’s Choir, and Whitman College Chamber Singers. Melissa is currently undertaking doctoral studies in composition at the University of Pennsylvania on a Benjamin Franklin Fellowship. More information at www.melissadunphy.com or on her music publishing website, www.mormolyke.com.

Among judges' comments: "It is this type of mental and musical creativity which is accessible to audiences of all makes and models...beautifully presented..."




2nd Place:
Rodrigo Bussad    (Miami, FL)—URIZEN (The Chain of Reason), for c flute, bass flute, guitar 

Rodrigo Bussad

Rodrigo Bussad received his Bachelors at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Sao Paulo and a certificate as Audio Technician by the Institute of Audio and Video of Sao Paulo. It is currently enrolled for his masters degree at the University of Miami where also works as a TA for Aural Skills class. In 2008 he studied at the Unicamp Winter Festival with Claude Ledoux from the Paris Conservatory of Music. In 2009 he recorded the album TUWA, for instrumental quartet, featuring his music exclusively, financed by the Campinas City Hall Department of Culture. His pieces have been performed in Brazil, the USA and countries in Europe. He participated twice in the SoundSCAPE Festival of New Music in Maccagno, Italy (2011-2012) and had premieres in both of them. He also worked at the 2012 festival as the recording and sound engineer. His piece Ignis Fatuus, for clarinet solo, was released in the album Refractions, recorded by the clarinetist Gleb Kanasevish. Bodisatva, for percussion ensemble, was chosen to be part of the “Emerging Composers Concert” during the Miami Festival of Music in 2012. His worked is heavily inspired by far Eastern philosophy and musical idiom. Currently researching the Chinese oracle, the Yi Jing, and using as what he has learned as a resource for his compositional process, Bussad also studies traditional Chinese music and is one of the founding members and director of the Gaoshan Liushui ensemble, the first traditional Chinese music ensemble in South America.

Among judges' comments: "A composition based on extended techniques for all three performers, this piece is able to take the listener on a journey that frightens and disturbs..."




3rd Place:
Chin Ting Chan    (Kansas City, MO)—ICEBERGS, for violin, cello and piano

Chin Ting Chan

Raised in Hong Kong, the music of Chin Ting Chan (b. 1986) has gained recognitions from the Interdisciplinary Festival for Music and Sound Art in Vienna, Soli fan tutti Composition Prize, newEar contemporary chamber ensemble, Mid-American Center for Contemporary Music, and performances throughout the United States, Canada, Austria and Germany. He received degrees from San José State University (B.M.) and Bowling Green State University (M.M.), and is currently pursuing a D.M.A. in composition at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He has studied with Chen Yi, Zhou Long, James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Marilyn Shrude, Burton Beerman, Andrea Reinkemeyer, Brian Belet and Pablo Furman. Over the first half of 2013, he has been developing electroacoustic music for IRCAM, using Cycling 74’s Max 6 program, with instructions from Grégoire Lorieux. Mr. Chan is a founding member of the composer’s consortium Melos Music. www.chintingchan.com

Among judges' comments: "Chin is able to use these three players in multi-facted ways - mostly playing with extended techniques for all the performers, but with desired effects."




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Congratuations to winners and runners-up.

Announcing VOCAL WINNERS, runners-up: men in opera and art song, 2013

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Opera and Art Song Divisions (men), 2013. 




Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.  

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Opera Division (men), 2013

The American Prize winner:
Christian Ketter    (Chicago, IL)
 

Christian Ketter

Tenor Christian Ketter is returning in summer 2013 to Music By The Lake for a staged gala concert as Prince Karl Franz in Sigmund Romberg’s The Student Prince. A recent tenor soloist in the Bruckner Te Deum with the Chicago Bar Symphony Orchestra & Chorus as winner of The American Prize Chicago Oratorio Award, Christian's performances this past year also included tenor soloist in both DuBois’ Les sept paroles du Christ and Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël, and Willy Loman in Rizzer’s operatic adaptation of Death of a Salesman, this last at the Chicago Cultural Center. Mr. Ketter was privileged in the past year to be musically coached and staged by American composer Carlisle Floyd in a concert celebrating his operatic works.

Christian Ketter was an International Finalist in the Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya Competition, 2nd National Winner in both the HalLeonard Art Song and Musical Theatre Competitions, and was a 2012 winner of The American Prize Friedrich Schorr Memorial Award. He is the recipient of the Shirley Rabb Winston Scholarships in Voice (Grand Prize Winner), was a National Finalist in the Shreveport Opera Competition and a finalist for the Harold Haugh young artist award.   

Mr. Ketter has studied under and sung in masterclasses with renowned artists including legendary stage director Tito Capobianco; soprano, Diana Soviero; baritone, Nathan Gunn; Maestro Enrique Patrón de Rueda; the Metropolitan Opera’s Joan Dornemann; film conductor David Friedman; Verdi Baritone Sherrill Milnes; and heldentenor Carl Lawrenz. For more information about Mr. Ketter go to www.christianketter.com

Among judges' comments: "Mr. Ketter has a beautiful, silvery voice.  He sings with wonderful legato lines and spins a lovely musical phrase."


2nd Place:
Mitchell Hutchings   (Cincinnati, OH)

Mitchell Hutchings

Mitchell Hutchings’ most notable roles include the title roles in GIANNI SCHICCHI and SWEENEY TODD, Marcello in LA BOHÈME, Tarquinius in THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA, Escamillo in LA TRAGÉDIE DE CARMEN, Germont in LA TRAVIATA, Mercutio in ROMÉO ET JULIETTE, Marullo in RIGOLETTO, Quince in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Frank in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Ben in THE TELEPHONE, Yamadori & the Commissioner in MADAMA BUTTERFLY, and Benoit & Alcindoro in LA BOHÈME. Mitchell has been a Resident Artist of Pensacola Opera, Opera Saratoga, Ash Lawn Opera, DiCapo Opera Theatre, the Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, the Czech-American Summer Music Institute, and Opera Tampa's V.O.I.C.Experience program.  Mitchell received his master's degree from Florida State University where he studied with David Okerlund.  He is currently attending the University of Kentucky. He makes his home in Cincinnati, OH with his wife, and composer, Sarah Hutchings. www.MitchellHutchingsBaritone.com.

Among judges' comments: "Mr. Hutchings has a very expressive, solid baritone voice...he sings with a real flair for the dramatic..."


3rd Place:
Michael Orlinsky    (Chicago, IL)

Michael Orlinsky

Michael Orlinsky is a baritone who is developing a growing singing career in the Chicago area.  As well as singing for several companies, he has produced, directed and portrayed Bob in The Old Maid and the Thief and Ben in The Telephone.  Since moving to Chicago he has started graduate studies at North Park University (NPU) studying with Dr. Karen Bauer.  Michael has been seen in such roles as Papageno (The Magic Flute) and The Wolf (The Knightly News) (Premiere), among other roles.  Michael is a composer of art song as well as a performer. Michael is engaged to perform Ko-ko-ri-ko in Ba-ta-clan with North Park University as well as solos in Messiah, and Bach’s Magnificat.  He will also be covering the bass solos in the Faure Requiem with VOX3. In the fall he is engaged to sing Zuniga in Carmen.  www.mobaritone.com

Among judges' comments: "a wonderful voice...and “Madamina” is a wonderful aria for him...excellent possibilities..."






The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Art Song Division (men), 2013

The American Prize winner:
Darren Chase   (New York, NY)

Darren Chase

Raised in a family of musicians, recordings of Fischer-Dieskau, Prey and Souzay were Darren Chase’s first influences. He began performing art song as a teenager, studying first in his native San Diego and then continuing his education at UC Berkeley and Boston University.  His wide range of operatic, concert and cabaret performances includes appearances with the Santa Fe Opera, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, the Aspen Music Festival, the International Contemporary Ensemble and Exilkabarett.  His first CD, The Young Debussy, was released in 2011.  He recently completed a new album, Schumann Liederkreis: Three Song Cycles, which has recently been released. www.darrenchase.net

Among judges' comments:  "Mr. Chase sings with exquisite technique, consistent up and down the scale."


2nd Place: 

Michael Cavalieri

Michael Cavalieri   (Homewood, IL)

Baritone Michael Cavalieri has sung a wide range of styles and repertoire, from concert to opera to ensemble.  He was last seen on the Symphony Center  stage with Sir Marc Elder and the Chicago Civic Orchestra singing Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen.  Previously, he made his Chicago Chorale debut in Grieg's Four Hymns.

His operatic roles include Count Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Gianni Schicchi,Valentin (Faust), Escamillo (Carmen), and Germont (La Traviata).  He was heard in Light Opera Works productions of Sondheim's A Little Night Music (Carl Magnus) and Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King), a performance which prompted the Chicago Sun-Times to call his voice "rich and juicy."  Michael contributed over a dozen songs to the complete songbook of Charles Ives for Naxos Records. He currently sings in the ensembles of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Solo Dei Gloria. http://michael.cavalieri.ws

Among judges' comments: "He sings with a great sense of phrasing in the long lyric lines." 


3rd Place: 
Conor Angell    (Houghton, NY)

Conor Angell

Born and reared in Ireland, baritone Conor Angell recently completed his doctoral degree in voice at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. This fall, he joined the faculty of the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College, where he teaches voice and directs the lyric theater. With IU Opera Theater, he appeared in performances of A View from the Bridge, Il barbiere di Siviglia, The Tale of Lady Thi Kinh and Gianni Schicchi. Previously, Angell was a studio artist at Kentucky Opera, singing roles in Werther, Pirates of Penzance, Verdi’s Otello, Telemann's Don Quichotte and Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta. Other operatic credits include roles in Le nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte, La bohème, Rigoletto, Susannah, Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Madama Butterfly, and La vida breve. Angell has sung at the Opera North and Brevard Music Center summer festivals. He completed his master’s degree at UNC-Greensboro and his bachelor’s degree at Taylor University. Angell has performed as a soloist with orchestras in Illinois, Indiana and North Carolina in oratorio and concert works. Earlier this spring, he was chosen as a winner of The American Prize Chicago Oratorio Award.

Among judges' comments: "Mr. Angell is a fine singer and performer.  His good stage demeanor draws you into his presentation."

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Congratulations to all winners and runners-up.

Announcing COMPOSITION WINNERS, runners-up: choral divsion, 2013

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Composition: Choral Division, 2013. 

Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.  

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com


The American Prize in Composition: Choral Division, 2013, PROFESSIONAL category:

The American Prize winner:
Jonathan Santore   (Plymouth, NH)—selected choral works

Jonathan Santore

Jonathan Santore is Chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Plymouth State University and Composer in Residence for the New Hampshire Master Chorale, which received a “Best of NH 2008” Award from New Hampshire Magazine for his settings of texts with strong New Hampshire connections. He has won honors for his works including the 2011 Award for Distinguished Scholarship from Plymouth State, where he has taught composition since 1994, a 2010 Individual Artist Fellowship from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and awards from national and international composition contests. His compositions have been performed and broadcast nationally and internationally, published by firms including Alliance Music, Walton Music, and Yelton Rhodes Music, and recorded by artists on Albany and Centaur Records. His biography was selected for the 2013 edition of Marquis Who’s Who in America. For more information about Santore and his work, please visit www.jonathansantore.com.

Among judges' comments: "This composer displays impressive skill, expressivity and contrast in every musical selection offered in the portfolio.  The listener is drawn in from the start..."


2nd Place:
Paul John Rudoi   (Minneapolis, MN)
—selected choral works

Paul John Rudoi

The music of Paul John Rudoi, recently deemed both “lush” and “lyrical” by Minneapolis’ Star Tribune, is fast becoming an important force in the worldwide choral community.  In 2011 alone his compositions won grand prizes in competitions hosted by the Milwaukee Choral Artists, the Young New Yorkers Chorus, and VocalEssence, and in 2012 he was a finalist for the Svanholm Singers’ Composition Award.  His works have been commissioned and performed by various ensembles nationwide, including Cantus, the Vancouver Chamber Singers, The Singers: Minnesota Choral Artists, the Anglican Singers, and the National Lutheran Choir.  He has received support and grants from the Jerome Foundation, MSAB, and the American Composers Forum, and his works are self-published and commercially published through Graphite Music Publishing and Santa Barbara Music Publishing. Visit www.paulrudoi.com for more information.

Among judges' comments: "This young composer is already displaying an indisputably unique, confident and innovative voice in the choral composition field."


3rd Place:
John Muehleisen   (Mukilteo, WA)
—selected choral works

John Muehleisen

Composer John Muehleisen is increasingly in demand for commissions and performances nationally and internationally, particularly from choral ensembles.  John has served as Composer-in-Residence for Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble almost continuously since 1996, for the Dale Warland Singers (2003–2004), and for Choral Arts (2011–2012). He has also received commissions from Conspirare, The Esoterics, Northwest Girlchoir, Seattle Pro Musica, the South Bend Chamber Singers, Volti, and Seattle’s Choral Arts, which commissioned Pietà, a concert-length oratorio premiered in March 2012 to instant critical acclaim. More than 40 of his choral works have been recorded commercially, most recently by the John Alexander Singers, Volti, and Opus 7, which will release a CD featuring numerous previously unrecorded pieces. John won the 1988 Louisville Orchestra Composition Competition, and his works have been featured at the Sixth World Choral Symposium, the 2007 NEA American Masterpieces Choral Festival in Austin, TX, and at multiple ACDA conferences.

Among judges comments: "Lush, powerful, condensed then expansive in continual “inhalations and exhalations of harmony”- all of this characterizes the masterful writing of composer John Muehleisen..."






The American Prize in Composition: Choral Division, 2013, STUDENT category:

The American Prize winner:
Liza Sobel   (Cresskill, NJ)—REQUIEM

Liza Sobel

Liza Sobel is a composer and singer studying at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross Conservatory for an MA/PhD in composition.  She studies composition with Robert Aldridge, Tarik O’Regan, and Gerald Chenoweth.  She previously studied at Cornell University (BA), Manhattan School of Music (semester exchange program), Bowdoin’s International Music Festival, nief-norf Summer Festival Composition Workshop, and Chamber Music Institute.  Her past teachers include Steven Stucky, Richard Danielpour, Derek Bermel, and Kevin Ernste.

Liza was a Fulbright Scholar at Newcastle University, England in the summer of 2010 and was Cornell’s endorsed candidate and/or finalist for the Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, and Keasbey scholarships.  Additional awards include a commission from the NJ Composers’ Guild to compose a new piece for the Cygnus Ensemble, a finalist in the 2013 BMI Student Composers Awards and a finalist in the 2013 American Prize in the orchestral division and a semi-finalist in the chamber division.

Among judges' comments: "A well-written and conceived piece, utilizing many interesting compositional techniques and devices..."  


2nd Place: 
Elizabeth Lim   (New York, NY)—TEMPEST; SISYPHEAN

Elizabeth Lim

 
Elizabeth Lim is a third year doctoral candidate at the Juilliard School, where she studied composition with Dr. Robert Beaser and Dr. Samuel Adler. She completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where she graduated magna cum laude with highest honors. For her musical contributions at Harvard, she was awarded the 2008 Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts and was recognized as one of “Fifteen Most Promising Seniors in the Arts.” While at Juilliard, her orchestral work, “Paranoia,” was a winner of the annual composers’ competition and was premiered by Jeff Milarsky and the Juilliard Orchestra in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Concert Hall.

More recently, Elizabeth’s orchestral piece, “The Remains of Truth,” was premiered by the Alabama All-State Orchestra during their annual music festival. The American Composers Orchestra also selected “Disharmony of the Spheres” for a reading by the Buffalo Philharmonic as part of the Earshot Composer Reading series, and the American Composers Forum and VocalEssence co-presented her choral work, “The Tempest,” during the 2012 Essentially Choral readings, directed by Philip Brunelle. Following the readings, Elizabeth received a commission to write for VocalEssence’s WITNESS Concert in February 2013.

Among judges' comments: "Tempest: very lyrical…like an art song for choir."  


3rd Place:
Joseph Gregorio   (West Chester, PA)
—LOVE, THRICEWISE; THE MAID OF CULMORE

Joseph Gregorio

 
Joseph Gregorio (b. 1979) has studied composition with Steven Stucky, David Conte, and Richard Brodhead.  Gregorio’s music has been broadcast, recorded, and performed in the United States and abroad by numerous and renowned soloists and ensembles.  His choral music is published by E. C. Schirmer Music Company, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, and Treble Clef Music Press.  Also active as a conductor, Gregorio is the founding director of prize-winning choir Ensemble Companio, and has served as assistant and guest conductor to several collegiate and community choirs.  He holds a M.M. in composition with departmental honors from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a M.M. in choral conducting from Yale University, and a B.A. magna cum laude from Cornell University.  Gregorio has taught music theory and musicianship at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Temple University. 

Among judges' comments: "Changing meters support the scansion well, a lovely, lyrical arrangement..."


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Congratulations to winners and runners-up.

Announcing VOCAL WINNERS, runners-up: art song, women, 2013

The American Prize is honored to announce the winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Art Song Division (women), 2013. 




Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog.  

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Art Song Division (women), 2013, PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

The American Prize winner:
Emily Marvosh   (Cambridge, MA)

Emily Marvosh

Emily Marvosh, contralto, is gaining recognition as a skilled performer of oratorio and opera, with a “flexible technique and ripe color,” and “smooth, apparently effortless vocal display.” She has recently appeared as a soloist with the Handel and Haydn Society, Opera Boston, Boston Lyric Opera, and Longwood Opera; she is also a frequent soloist with the Marsh Chapel Bach Cantata Series. Forays into new music include world premieres with Juventas New Music and Intermezzo Chamber Opera.  She is a founding member of the Lorelei ensemble, promoting new music for women.  Of a recent Lorelei world premiere, one critic wrote, “Marvosh, whose stage presence was a joy to behold, offered a tone that had the velvety soulfulness of a cello…”

Solo appearances in 2012-2013 include the Charlotte Symphony (Messiah), Handel and Haydn Society (Magnificat), Brookline Symphony (Sea Pictures), Chorus of Westerly (Mozart’s Requiem), Chicago Bar Association Symphony (Bruckner Te Deum). She holds degrees from Central Michigan University and Boston University.  Ms. Marvosh won The American Prize Chicago Oratorio Award earlier this spring. www.emilymarvosh.com

Among judges' comments: "Her overall tone quality is warm without being covered. The ease with which she negotiates her passaggio is notable..."
 



2nd Place:
Kristina Bachrach   (Nashville, TN)

Kristina Bachrach

Kristina Bachrach is a soprano making a name for herself in New York City and around the country. Originally from Holliston, Massachusetts, Kristina currently resides in Nashville where she is a member of Nashville Opera’s Mary Ragland Young Artist Program. In Nashville she has appeared as Clorinda in Rossini’s La Cenerentola and Papagena in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. In November of 2011 she created the role of Lucinda in the world premiere of Nico Muhly's opera Dark Sisters with Gotham Chamber Opera and in June of 2012 appeared in the same role with the Opera Company of Philadelphia. During the summer of 2012 she attended the Tanglewood Music Center as one of their Soprano Fellows. While at Tanglewood she performed in Arnold Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire. That same summer she appeared with the Berkshire Choral Festival and Springfield Symphony as Lisette in Puccini’s La Rondine. In the summer of 2013 she will return to Tanglewood Music Center.

Among judges' comments: "Ms. Bachrach is an exciting singer...Her handling of contemporary art song is top notch."


3rd Place:

Abigail Krawson   (Jamaica Plain, MA)

Abigail Krawson

Abigail Krawson most recently sang the soprano solo in a performance of Poulenc's Gloria with the Masterworks Chorale. She also was recently seen as a Gypsy in Rachmaninoff's Aleko with Commonwealth Lyric Theater and cover to the role of Despina in Cosi fan tutte with NEMPAC Opera. In 2011 Ms. Krawson was a young artist with Boston Early Music Festival and during that same year, portrayed L’Eternità in Harvard Early Music Society’s production of La Calisto. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, she performed the roles of Second Woman in Dido and Aeneas and Pamina in The Magic Flute (Opera Outreach).  In Boston, she serves as a co-director for Opera on Tap, an organization dedicated to promote opera as a viable, living and progressive art form deserving a place on the American cultural landscape. Abigail is currently rehearsing for The Merry Wives of Windsor with Boston Midsummer Opera, as well as the soprano solos in Carmina Burana and the Brahms' Requiem with Chorus Promusica. For more information please visit www.operabby.com.







The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Art Song Division (women), 2013, COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CATEGORY

The American Prize winner:
Courtney Miller   (Jamaica Plain, MA) 

Award winning Mezzo-Soprano Courtney Miller is the 2013 winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs’ Young Artist Competition in Women’s Voice.   A New England Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, Ms. Miller has twice been the recipient of the Rislov Foundation Award for her "excellence and promise as a classical musician," and is a current Career Bridges Encouragement Grant recipient.

Ms. Miller will be joining Virginia Opera as a Resident Artist for the 2013-14 season.  There, she will sing Meg Page in Falstaff, Third Lady in The Magic Flute, Mercédès in Carmen while covering Carmen, Dryade in Ariadne auf Naxos while covering the Komponist, and covering the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd.  This spring of 2013 Ms. Miller sang the role of Sister Helen in the New England premier of Dead Man Walking.  Additional career highlights include the title role in L’enfant et les sortilèges, Concepción in L’heure Espagnole, Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor, Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, the Witch in Hansel and Gretel, and Nancy in Albert Herring.  She has sung with Chautauqua Opera. Boston Lyric Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Seagle Music Colony, and Juventas New Music Ensemble.  A Wisconsin native, Ms. Miller holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the Boston Conservatory.  www.courtneyallycemiller.com

Among judges' comments: "There is a presence about your voice and interpretation that is top-notch in this category. The voice seems natural and free..."


2nd Place:
Clare Demer   (Tucson, AZ)

Clare Demer

Clare Demer is a 19 year old Vocal Performance major at University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ.  Clare began her music studies with piano at age 6 and discovered her love for singing when she was 13.  In 2009 and 2010 she sang with the Youth Choral Academy, as part of the Oregon Bach Festival.  In 2011, she attended the Walnut Hill Summer Opera Intensive in Natick, MA, and Italy, and in 2012 the Saarburg Chamber Music Festival in Saarburg, Germany.  A student of Dr. Kristin Dauphinais, Clare was the 1st place winner in The American Prize in Vocal Performance, Art Song Division (High School) in 2012, winner of the Shirley Rabb Winston Voice Competition in 2012 and 1st place winner of the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition in 2013.

Among judges' comments: "The Liebeslied by Schumann is accentuated by the naturalness and purity of your sound, which features a floatiness and lift found in more mature singers."



3rd Place:
Lilla Heinrich Szász   (Princeton, NJ)

Lilla Heinrich Szász

24 year old soprano Lilla Heinrich Szász has won critical acclaim for her “appealing sound, agile coloratura and oversize wit” (The New York Times) and
has performed to great acclaim in both operatic and concert repertoire across the U.S and Europe. She is a masters student at Juilliard, where she received her Bachelors and is a recent winner of the Juilliard Honors Recital.  Operatic highlights include Lucinde (MET + Juilliard collaboration of Gluck's Armide), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Belinda (Dido and Aeneas), Helena (Midsummer Night's Dream), Laetitia (Old Maid and the Thief), Geraldine (Hand of Bridge) and has fully covered the roles of Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Zhou (Kommilitonen! U.S. premier) and Drusilla (L'incoronazione di Poppea). She has also worked with renowned artists Richard Bonynge, Alan Gilbert, William Christie, Ken Noda, Graham Johnson, Warren Jones and performed in Marilyn Horne's Foundation Festival at Carnegie Hall. www.lillaheinrichszasz.com

Among judges comments: "You have a nice float upward, phrase shapes, and attention to text.  Also, there is a requisite feel for these songs."  




The American Prize in Voice—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award: Art Song Division (women), 2013, HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY

The American Prize winner:
Emily Pogorelc   (Whitefish Bay, WI)

Emily Pogorelc

Emily Pogorelc is 16 years old and a junior at Whitefish Bay High School in Wisconsin. She has been studying voice since the age of 9 and currently studies with Julia Faulkner. In the past year, she was awarded first place at the Classical Singer Magazine Competition, Music Teachers National Association Competition, the Schmidt Competition and the Walgreen's National Concerto Competition as well as winning first place at Wisconsin NATS. This year, Emily won a place in the Florentine Opera High School Master Class Competition. Emily has performed with the Florentine Opera, Skylight Opera and Opera a la Carte and attended Walnut Hill's summer intensive program in 2012.

Among judges' comments: "...superb phrasing...excellent renditions of the English...excellent upper resonance..."



2nd Place:
Olivia Boen   (River Forest, IL)

Olivia Boen

Soprano Olivia Boen is a 17-year-old senior at Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL. A student of Elizabeth Gottlieb, Olivia was a semi-finalist at the 2012 Classical Singer Competition, a prize winner at the 2012 NATS competitions, and will make her WFMT "Introductions" radio debut in April, 2013. Olivia is a Junior Division and Bravo Award winner of Chicago's 2013 Bel Canto Foundation. As a member of the Chicago Children's Choir, she has been a featured soloist with the prestigious Concert Choir, Madrigals, and Voice of Chicago groups. Olivia has attended summer programs at Interlochen, Lamont School of Music, University of Michigan MPulse, the 2012 Oberlin VAHS, and has had the privilege of performing in Master Classes with Nicole Cabell and Renee Fleming. As the daughter of members of the Lyric Opera of Chicago orchestra, Olivia looks forward to continuing the family musical tradition when she will begin studying as a Vocal Performance major at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in the fall.

Among judges' comments: "what a lovely quality in your voice.  You have an appealing tone and sensitivity…"


3rd Place: 
Emily Peterson   (San Diego, CA)

Emily Peterson

Music is high school senior Emily Peterson’s passion. She has studied piano since age five, joined her first choir at ten, developing an enduring love of playing the piano and singing jazz, bossa nova, classical, and Renaissance music. In addition to solo performances at weddings and other events, her current vocal opportunities vary from San Rafael choir section leader, La Jolla Symphony Chorus soprano, and Westview High School choir president and soprano section leader. A member of seven choirs, she performed twice at Carnegie Hall in 2012. Emily has moved four times, the travels taking her to several European countries and numerous US states before settling in San Diego
.

Among judges' comments: "The Copland contains fine phrasing and sense of legato line…What a fine instrument you have!"


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Congratulations to winners and runners-up.