NEW YORK, NY – Today, the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation has awarded soprano Magdalena Kuźma First Place in the 24th annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. For her arias, Ms. Kuźma performed “Ha! Dzieciątko nam umiera” from Moniuszko’s Halka and “Deh vieni, non tardar” from Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart. Ms. Kuźma receives $15,000 as first-place grant winner.

“It is such an honor to win First Place Grant Award in the Jensen Competition,” said Ms. Kuźma. “As I make the transition out of young artist programs, I look forward to using this grant money to fund further training and development in the form of coachings, lessons, and audition travel.”

Ms. Kuźma received her Master of Music Degree from Yale University, where she earned Valedictorian and the Dean’s Prize Award. She received a Bachelor of Music degree and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Neuroscience, both from Oberlin Conservatory & College. This summer, Ms. Kuźma makes her debut singing Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro at the Aspen Music Festival with Matthew Aucoin conducting. Learn more about Ms. Kuźma on her website.

The Jensen Foundation extends its congratulations to its additional 2024 Jensen award winners: soprano Brittany Olivia Logan (Second Place Grant Award Winner - $10,000), and soprano Midori Marsh (Third Place Grant Award Winner - $7,500). Bass-baritone Ben Brady and baritone Trevor Haumschilt-Rocha both received Munday Encouragement Grant Awards of $3,000.

These seven outstanding artists also advanced to the Finals Round of the 2024 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition:

• Katherine Beck, mezzo-soprano

• Benjamin Dickerson, baritone

• Meryl Dominguez, soprano

• Véronique Filloux, soprano

• Keely Futterer, soprano

• Daniel Moody, countertenor

• Esther Tonea, soprano

 Our 2024 Judges

The Jensen Foundation gratefully acknowledges the tireless work of its Preliminary Judges (soprano Kirsten Chambers, Ben Leaptrott, Jr. of Brenau University, and Dr. Oliver Worthington of Butler University), as well as its esteemed Finals Judges: Christian Capocaccia, Artistic and Music Director of Syracuse Opera and Tri-Cities Opera; Priti Gandhi, Associate Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition; and Cory Lippiello, Director of Artistic Programs at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

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, 446 singers have received more than $930,000 in support.