SEMI-FINALISTS: women in opera, 2017-18—The Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards

This listing was corrected December 16, 2017 with the addition of a single name.

The American Prize is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST women in opera for 2017 in all divisions, The FRIEDRICH and VIRGINIA SCHORR MEMORIAL AWARD in VOICE. Congratulations!

Please note: semi-finalists in the Community Division (including opera semi-finalists) will be announced with art song semi-finalists.

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please "like" our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

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

We invite semi-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.


The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—professional division (women), 2017

Melanie Ashkar   Arlington VA 

Chelsea Basler   Waltham MA 

Diana Cantrelle   Columbia MD 

Natalie Conte   Winchester VA 

Becca Conviser   Glencoe IL 

Carolyne DalMonte   Eastchester NY 

Maggie Finnegan   Winchester MA 

Jessica Fishenfeld   Great Neck NY 

Annie Gill   Baltimore MD 

Alexandra Jerinic   San Francisco CA 

Sarah Lonsert   Mission Viejo CA 

Christine Lyons   Baltimore MD 

Meredith Mecum   Bronx NY 

Elizabeth Moran   New York NY 

Rebecca Peterson   Seattle WA 

Ariana Strahl   Ann Arbor MI 

Susan Wheeler   Burke VA 

Natalie Young   Lawrence KS 


The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—college/ university opera division (women), 2017

Lianne Aharony   Johnson City NY 

Jamie Balter   Baltimore MD  

Sarah Cooper  Lincoln MA 

Clare Demer   Tucson AZ 

Lauren Frey   Croton on Hudson NY 

Kali Hardwick   Nevada City CA 

Anzhela Kushnirenko   San Pedro CA 

Sarah-Clementine Mire   Lubbock TX 

Kellie Motter   Bloomington IN 

Myka Murphy   Roswell GA 

Theodora Ivanova Nestorova   Acton MA 

Veronica Richer   Bryan OH 

Lauren Elizabeth Walker   Bloomington IN 

Ciera V. Williams   Detroit MI 


The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—high school opera division (women), 2017

Sarah Aaldering   Los Gatos CA 

Alina Dong   Houston TX 

Abigail Marie Fletcher   Cape Coral FL 

Elisabeta Racolta   Cambridge MA 

Caroline Wolfe   Dallastown PA 



***

We invite semi-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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-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 finalists in my division later this year. 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 semi-finalists.

SEMI-FINALISTS: Men in Opera, 2017-18—The Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards

The American Prize is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST men in opera for 2017-18, The FRIEDRICH and VIRGINIA SCHORR MEMORIAL AWARD in VOICE. Congratulations! As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

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

We invite semi-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.


The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—professional opera division (men), 2017

Stefan Barner   Jamaica Plain MA 

Evan Bravos   Chicago IL 

Scott J. Brunscheen   Chicago IL 

Ryan Francis Burns   Vernon CT 

Jeffrey W. Clark   Tampa FL 

Andrew Chukwuka Egbuchiem   Brooklyn NY 

Victor Khodadad   Brooklyn NY 

Joseph Ryan   Sarasota FL 

Kyle van Schoonhoven   Chicago IL 

Duane Wittman   Pompano Beach FL 

   

The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—college/university opera division (men), 2017

David John Davani   Sea Cliff NY 

Jake Hemminger   Greensboro NC 

Ben M. Reisinger   Rochester NY 

***

We invite semi-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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-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 finalists in my division later this year. 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 semi-finalists.

SEMI-FINALISTS: men in art song & oratorio 2017-18—The Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards

The American Prize is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST men in art song & oratorio for 2017, The FRIEDRICH and VIRGINIA SCHORR MEMORIAL AWARD in VOICE. Congratulations! As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first. Semi-finalist men in opera will be published separately.

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

We invite semi-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.


The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—art song/oratorio, professional division (men),  2017

Andrew Chukwuka Egbuchiem   Brooklyn NY 

Vahagn Hovents   Glendale CA 

Justin John Moniz   Tallahassee FL  

Bryan Pinkall   Manhattan KS 



The American Prize in Voice / Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Award—art song/oratorio, college/university division (men),  2017

David John Davani   Sea Cliff NY  

Jake Goz   East Northport NY  

Jake Hemminger   Greensboro NC  

James Ley   Elkton MD  

Ben M. Reisinger   Rochester NY



***

We invite semi-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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-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 finalists in my division later this year. 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 semi-finalists.

SEMI-FINALISTS: piano solo, 2017-18

The American Prize is pleased to announce an impressive list of 2017-18 SEMI-FINALIST pianists in all SOLO divisions. Congratulations!

As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from these lists. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

We invite semi-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.

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

The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo)—professional division, 2017

Kris Carlisle   Rome GA

Jiwon Choi   Maryville MO

Andree-Ann Deschenes   Los Angeles CA

Mirna Lekic   Bayside NY

Qyunh Nguyen   New York NY

Roberto Plano   Holliston MA

Gabriel Quenneville-Belair   Minneapolis MN

Tomasz Robak   Baltimore MD

Michael Seregow   Pullman WA

Johnandrew Slominski   Rochester NY

Alessandra Tiraterra   Hillsborough NJ

James Woolwine   Coral Gables FL


The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo)—college university division, 2017

Harold Bailey   Radford VA

Chia-Ying Chan   Urbana IL

Pei-Sin Chen   Columbus OH  

Xiao Chen   Los Angeles CA  

Gabrielle Chou   Pembroke Pines FL  

Mimi Chun   East Lansing MI  

Ge Gao   Los Angeles CA  

William Hume   Rochester NY  

Yuan Jiang   Tempe AZ  

Mikhail Maurice Johnson   Bowling Green OH 

Ekaterina Paniukova   Lubbock TX  

Hyuna Park   Cincinnati OH  

Natasha Stojanovska   Chicago IL  

Nicholas Susi   Saint Louis MO  

Trenton Teruo Takaki   Wilmette IL  

John Wilson   Miami Beach FL  


The American Prize in Piano Performance (solo)
—high school division, 2017

Megan Auyeung   Los Gatos CA  

Yuqing Liu   Sugar Land TX  

Avik Sarkar   Chestnut Hill MA  

Victor Shlyakhtenko   Los Angeles CA

Jarrett Mitsuhiro Takaki   Willmette IL  

Xiaoping Wang, Jr.   Highland Park IL  

Barbara Xiong   Brentwood TN  

***

We invite semi-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.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a semi-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 finalists in my division later this year. 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 semi-finalists.

REMEMBERING (and thanking) soprano BRENDA LEWIS

Brenda Lewis in "Die Fledermaus"

The American Prize, and chief judge, David Katz, note with great sadness the death of the extraordinary American soprano, Brenda Lewis. Miss Lewis shared her name, friendship, enthusiasm and expertise with The American Prize vocal contests as Judge Emerita, and earlier served as an adjudicator for the Friedrich Schorr Memorial Performance Prize in Voice international competitions.

David Katz and Brenda Lewis were friends and colleagues at the Hartt School of the University of Hartford during the 1980s. In 2001, when Katz moved the Schorr Prize (which he'd founded with Mrs. Friedrich Schorr's blessing ten years earlier) from Michigan back to Connecticut, he turned to Miss Lewis for her assistance. Then, as the Schorr contests became part of the newly-formed competition series known as The American Prize, Brenda Lewis gladly continued to provide her advice and enthusiastic support.

Maestro Katz remembers:

"She was a magnificent musician, and a no-nonsense judge. As an opera director, she did not suffer fools onstage or off; she always knew instinctively (and through a lifetime of experience) what "worked" and what didn't, and was never afraid to say so. She could be cutting and tough on people she thought were not giving their all to the art, but she could also be very warm and funny: the hours I spent with her at her home in Westport are among my happiest musical memories, especially when the conversation turned to her dear friend, composer Marc Blitzstein. Her stories of her years at the MET and the New York City Opera would sometimes come accompanied with gales of laughter. I learned early that underneath her crust she was loving and generous...as I have found most great artists I have known to be. I will miss her very much. Farewell, Brenda, and thank you."

Brenda Lewis (right) and James Levine, enshrined at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.

A link to today's obituary in The New York Times is below. The second link leads to a musical biography on The American Prize website.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/16/arts/music/brenda-lewis-dead-opera-soprano.html?mc_cid=3e9e9523c0&mc_eid=7a9aacb037

http://www.theamericanprize.org/judges2014.html

SEMI-FINALISTS: piano concerto, 2017-18—The Lorin Hollander Award

Lorin Hollander

The American Prize is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST pianists for 2017-18 in the CONCERTO division, The LORIN HOLLANDER AWARD. Congratulations! As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

The American Prize LORIN HOLLANDER AWARD celebrates the artistry of one of the greatest pianists of his generation. Lorin Hollander has appeared as guest soloist with virtually every major symphony orchestra in the world and is a veteran of over 2,500 performances across the globe. The American Prize is delighted to share the legacy of this legendary artist through the re-naming of the award for Piano Concerto Performance in his honor.
For more about the extraordinary life and career of Lorin Hollander, please visit http://lorinhollander.com/

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

We invite semi-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.

Please make us aware of any misprints in the listings below by emailing: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Piano Performance, concerto, The Lorin Hollander Award, 2017-18
—professional division

Richard Bosworth   Naples FL   
    Tchaikovsky Concerto in B-flat minor

Jacob Clark   Beaumont TX
    Hartley Concerto #2 for Piano and Wind Ensemble

Paul Dykstra   Sanbornton NH  
    Beethoven Emperor Concerto

Quynh Nguyen   New York NY
    Mozart K. 453 (G major)

Roberto Plano   Holliston MA
    Busoni Concerto in D minor

Tomasz Robak   Baltimore MD 
    Mendelssohn Concerto in G minor


The American Prize in Piano Performance, concerto, The Lorin Hollander Award, 2017-18
—college/university division

Xiao Chen   Los Angeles CA
    Rachmaninoff Concerto #2
   
Pei-Sin Chen   Columbus OH
    Prokofiev Concerto #1

Lishan Xue   Urbana IL
    Bartok Concerto #2



The American Prize in Piano Performance, concerto, The Lorin Hollander Award, 2017-18
—high school division

Annika Huprikar   Highland Park IL
    Mozart K 414 (A major)
  
Leyla Kabuli   Davis CA
    Rachamninoff Concerto #2

Victor Shlyakhtenko   Los Angeles CA 
    Beethoven Choral Fantasy

Sarah Sun   Cedar City UT
    Rachmaninoff Concerto #2

Xiaoping Wang, Jr.   Highland Park IL
    Saint-Saens Concerto #2 (G minor)

***

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 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 later this year. 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.

SEMI-FINALISTS: chamber ensembles, 2017-18

The American Prize is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST chamber music ensembles for 2017-18 in all divisions. Congratulations! As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from these lists. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

We invite semi-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.

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

Semi-finalists are listed by ensemble name, by contact person in alphabetical order, and by city and state. 

The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2017-18: professional division


Duo Concertato
Richard Bosworth
Naples FL
 
Ulysses Quartet
Colin Brookes
New York NY
 
Gesteland-Smith Duo
Tracelyn Gesteland
Vermillion SD

Telos Trio
Deborah L. Grohman
Rochester NY
 
Odysseus Chamber Players
Jason Lim
Denton TX
 
Pianissimo!
Susan Merdinger
Highland Park IL
 
The City Of Tomorrow
Rane Moore
Medford MA
 
Sorores Duo
Amy Rosine
Manhattan KS
 
MATIMA
Maiko Sasaki
Houston TX
 
Amarillo Virtuosi
Catie White Shanks
Amarillo TX
 
icarus Quartet
Jeff Stern
Baltimore MD
 
Bell Art Ensemble
Lenny Young
Pittsburgh PA



The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2017-18: college/university division

Bear Lake Wind Quintet
Justin Cook
Greeley CO
 
Sound Out Loud
Kyle Johnson
Madison WI



The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2017-18: high school division

The Bright Boys
Ryan Bright
Knoxville TN
 
Orpheus Duo
Samuel Perlman
Highland Park IL
 
George Magub String Quartet
Leo Santi
Santa Monica CA
 
The Bach Trio
Evan Wang
Fremont CA

***

Semi-finalists: make the most of your selection by announcing it on your facebook page, tweet the news, and include a link to this announcement on your website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a SEMI-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 FINALISTS in my division later this year. 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 semi-finalists!

SEMI-FINALISTS: instrumental soloists, 2017-18

The American Prize is pleased to announce SEMI-FINALIST instrumental soloists for 2017-18. Congratulations! As the contests unfold, finalists, runners-up and winners will be selected from this list. To know the exact date when finalists will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

We invite semi-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.

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

The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2017-18, professional division:

Orlando Cela   Arlington MA, flute
Elena Korableva   Brighton MA, cello
Brittany Lasch   Brighton MA, trombone
Christopher Nichols   Newark DE, clarinet
Sean Osborn   Shoreline WA, clarinet
Colleen Phelps   Nashville TN, percussion
Benjamin Scott   Philadelphia PA, violin
Kumiko Shimizu   Cleveland MS, collaborative piano
Alina Windell   Auburn AL, flute


The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2017-18, college/university division:

Micheal Barnes   Cincinnati OH, percussion
Rebecca Bressanelli   Iowa City IA, violin
Gabrielle Chou   Pembroke Pines FL, violin
David John Davani   Sea Cliff NY, clarinet
Christopher Lowry   Antioch TN, viola
Ava Oaxaca   Arlington VA, saxophone
Noemie Raymond-Friset   Brighton NY, cello
Angela Reynolds   Clarksville TN, flute


The American Prize in Instrumental Performance, 2017-18, high school division:

Ryan Har   Palo Alto CA, cello
Samuel Perlman   Highland Park IL, clarinet


***

Semi-finalists: make the most of your selection by announcing it on your facebook page, tweet the news, and include a link to this announcement on your website or blog.

Here is a sample announcement:

"Great News! I've just been selected as a SEMI-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 FINALISTS in my division later this year. 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 semi-finalists!