MAY 18, 2021 – CHARLOTTE, NC – Today, the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation has awarded Mezzo-Soprano Megan Moore First Place in the 21st annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. For this 100% virtual competition, the Foundation asked singers to submit aria video-recordings. From these submissions, judges chose 21 finalists who competed, again via video-recordings. For her arias, Ms. Moore performed “Nacqui all'affanno... non più mesta” from Rossini’s La Cenerentola, “J'ai deux amants” from L'amour masqué by André Messager, and “Wie du warst” from Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. Ms. Moore receives $15,000 as first-place winner.

“I am thrilled to receive this honor and support from the Jensen Foundation,” said Ms. Moore. “At a time when opportunities and encouragement for young artists is sorely needed, the foundation has managed to pull off a welcoming, warm, and professional competition experience for us. For that I am truly grateful!”

Ms. Moore earned her Artist Diploma in Opera Studies from The Juilliard School and her Masters of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Literature from Eastman School of Music. Learn more about Ms. Moore on her website.

The Jensen Foundation extends its congratulations to its additional 2021 Jensen award winners: soprano Emily Margevich (Second Place Award Winner - $10,000), sopranos Kaileigh Riess and Alexandria Shiner (Third Place Award Co-Winners - $7,500 each), and tenor Jose Simerilla Romero (Munday Encouragement Award Winner - $3,000). Mezzo-Soprano Stephanie Sanchez won the People’s Choice Vote.

These artists also advanced to the Finals Round of the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, and the Foundation is grateful for their participation:

Danielle Beckvermit | soprano

Lindsay Kate Brown | mezzo-soprano

Leah Brzyski | soprano

Katerina Burton | soprano

Anthony Ciaramitaro | tenor

Sylvia D’Eramo | soprano

Lauren Decker | contralto

Blake Denson | baritone

Véronique Filloux | soprano

Kathryn Henry | soprano

Matthew Hill | tenor

Duke Kim | tenor

Jana McIntyre | soprano

Mikayla Sager | soprano

Sarah Vautour | soprano

Our 2021 Judges

The Jensen Foundation gratefully acknowledges the tireless work of its Preliminary Judges (Carleen Graham of Houston Grand Opera, Ben Leaptrott, Jr. of Brenau University, and Oliver Worthington of Butler University), as well as its Finals Judges: Maestro Gregory Buchalter, Pianist and Vocal Coach Margo Garrett, and soprano (and 2007 Jensen First Place winner) Wendy Bryn Harmer.

Of the competition, Ms. Garrett said, “I feel quite sure I have never judged a competition in which the standard of EVERY singer was as high as that of these 21 singers. Jensen is superbly run and directed, deeply caring, and committed to excellence. What an inspiring experience!”

Maestro Buchalter echoed his appreciation of the talent represented: “It was a great honor and privilege to judge the Jensen Vocal Competition this season. It was different this year in that all the singers were being judged virtually, which created unique challenges for both the singers and the judges. The level of the 21 finalists was extremely high and was very difficult to narrow down to a select few, as the singers showed immense potential. It was wonderful to see that through the course of the pandemic singers have been working hard, keeping their voices in optimum shape and even with a lack of performing experience have made the best of an unprecedented difficult situation. I am certain the world of opera will be featuring many of these fantastic singers very soon.”

About the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation

The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, a Donor-Advised Fund of Foundation For The Carolinas, was established by Lavinia Jensen in honor of her late husband, Fritz. 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, 409 singers have received more than $802,000 in support.