Finalists Announced for 2018 Jensen Competition
POSTED MAY 24, 2018 – NEW YORK, NY – After four days of preliminary auditions this week, finalists to the 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition have been announced. They are:
Danielle Beckvermit | Soprano
Helena Brown | Soprano
Timothy Bruno | Bass
Hidenori Inoue | Bass
Laura Leon | Soprano
Jana McIntyre | Soprano
Daniel Moody | Countertenor
Felicia Moore | Soprano
Bryan Murray | Baritone
Emmett O'Hanlon | Baritone
Alex Soare | Bass-Baritone
Corrie Stallings | Mezzo-Soprano
Jorell Williams | Baritone
These thirteen singers compete for more than $40,000 in awards this Saturday, May 26th at 1 PM at Engelman Recital Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue, New York. The event is free and open to the public, and the winners will be named at the conclusion of the event by a distinguished panel of Finals Judges:
- In July 2018, Ian Derrer returns to The Dallas Opera as general director after two seasons at the helm of Kentucky Opera. He has served in production and administrative roles with Santa Fe Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Atlanta Opera, Opera Carolina, and New York City Opera, among others. Mr. Derrer holds degrees from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, Northwestern University, and Brooklyn College.
- Internationally acclaimed soprano Lauren Flanigan is the Founder of Music and Mentoring House which offers training and mentoring programs for opera singers in New York City. She has enjoyed a thirty-year career that includes performances at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Glyndebourne, 10 world premieres, 1 movie, 11 recordings, 5 Live From Lincoln Center telecasts, and 15 awards for musical and humanitarian work.
- Steven White is one of North America’s premiere conductors of both symphonic and operatic repertoire. He has conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic, the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, and many others. Maestro White is a master-class clinician and a frequent judge for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
More than 250 singers applied to perform in the 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Ninety-six singers were heard, and these thirteen finalists were selected. They compete for:
- $15,000, First Place Award
- $10,000, Second Place Award
- $7,500, Third Place Award
- $3,000, Munday Encouragement Award
- Each non-award-winning finalist receives $750.
The Jensen Foundation thanks its judges for the preliminary rounds of the 2018 Competition: Mr. Ben Leaptrott of Brenau University; Ms. Carleen Graham of Houston Grand Opera; and Mr. Oliver Worthington of Butler University.
About the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation
The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit foundation, established by Lavinia Jensen in honor of her late husband, Fritz Jensen. Their lifelong love for the arts has benefited many musicians and musical organizations. The Foundation continues their philanthropic passion for the musical arts by supporting young artists pursuing a career in opera. The centerpiece of The Jensen Foundation’s work is the annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Since the Competition’s inception in 2000, and including this year’s award winners, 138 singers have received more than $650,000 in support.
