The American Prize wishes everyone safety and health during this difficult time.
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.
From Maestro Katz:
"Why so many finalists?" Different from some other contests, The American Prize is first and foremost about encouraging artists, not about eliminating contestants. Each of the individuals below was judged to be worthy of further consideration as we move towards selecting winners and runners-up in the various divisions. At the end of the contest year each will receive a written evaluation. Especially during this most difficult time for performing artists everywhere, we hope the recognition will prove valuable. Thanks to all these individuals for their artistry. —DK
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 social media, 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 National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its tenth year, The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Contestants hail from all fifty states, representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.
NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Composition—OPERA/THEATER/FILM/DANCE, professional division, 2021
Joey Bargsten
Hollywood FL
MelanchoLalaland
Clint Borzoni
Long Island City NY
When Adonis Calls
Otter Dreaming
Decorah IA
Waiting for In
Bruno C. Faria
Jamaica Plain MA
Voices Followed: The Illumination of Joan of Arc
Alden Jenks
Oakland CA
Afterworld
Eva Conley Kendrick
Millis MA
Emily
Douglas Knehans
Cincinnati OH
Backwards from Winter
Steven Mark Kohn
Chagrin Falls OH
The Trial of Susan B. Anthony
Alla Pavlova
Huntington NY
Thumbelina Ballet Suite
Dave Ragland
Nashville TN
One Vote Won
Kyle Simpson
Washington PA
Kingdom of the Fairies
Kyle Simpson
Washington PA
Trip to the Moon
Dawn Lenore Sonntag
Olympia WA
Verlorene Heimat (Lost Homeland)
Judith Lynn Stillman
Providence RI
Beneath A Silent Blue Sky
Judith Lynn Stillman
Providence RI
Essential Business
William Vollinger
Woodcliff Lake NJ
Now Shall My Head Be Lifted Up Above my Enemies
Hsin-Hua Wang
Los Angeles CA
Bacchus
Amir Zaheri
Tuscaloosa AL
May I Take Your Picture? (Film)
Amir Zaheri
Tuscaloosa AL
The Flow of Boats
NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize in Composition—OPERA/THEATER/FILM/DANCE, student division, 2021
Steven Crino
Moorestown NJ
Tomb of Beauty
Daniel Ruffing
Norwalk OH
Here, Run
Nathaniel Trost
Tuscaloosa AL
Like It or Not, It's Going to Happen
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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 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.