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Lisa Gray 3/10/21 Lisa Gray 3/10/21

Meet the Finals Judges for the 2021 Jensen Competition

The 2021 Competition Final Round are judged by this slate of internationally recognized opera professionals. These Finals Judges have graciously agreed to offer feedback to all 2021 finalists. We are grateful to Maestro Buchalter, Ms. Harmer, and Ms. Garrett for their willingness to support the Jensen Foundation and our singers.

Gregory Buchalter is the Artistic Director and conductor of Opera Fairbanks and Opera Camerata of Washington. In Fairbanks he has conducted L’Italiana in Algeri, Carmen, La Boheme, L’elisir d’amore, Don Giovanni, Tosca, and La Cenerentola. Maestro Buchalter currently serves on the music staff at the Metropolitan Opera and was Chorus Master for the telecasts of Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Don Giovanni and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. He has also prepared several world premieres at the Met: John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles, Philip Glass’ The Voyage, and John Harbison’s The Great Gatsby. Read more about Maestro Buchalter.

This season, soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer returns to the Utah Opera in her role debut as Elle in an English-language version of La Voix Humaine and to the Metropolitan Opera in Frau ohne Schatten. A graduate of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Ms. Harmer has appeared in their productions of Le nozze di Figaro, War and Peace, Khovanshchina, Parsifal, Die Agyptische Helena, Jenufa, and the complete Ring Cycle. She also appeared in the Met’s HD broadcasts of the Ring Cycle and The Magic Flute, which have subsequently been released on DVD (Deutsche Gramophone). Other recent opera engagements have included the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos and Adalgisa in Norma at the Palm Beach Opera, Senta in Die fliegende Holländer and multiple roles in the Ring Cycle at the Seattle Opera, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus at the Houston Grand Opera, Die Walküre at the San Francisco Opera, and Glauce in Medea at the Glimmerglas Festival. Ms. Harmer graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from The Boston Conservatory and attended the Music of Academy of the West. In addition to being a Jensen Competition winner, she also won the Richard Tucker Grant, the Teatro alla Scala Award, the Palm Beach Opera Competition, and the George London/Leonie Rysanek Award. Ms. Harmer is an Opus3 Artist.

Margo Garrett is an internationally acclaimed collaborative pianist, having performed on the stage and in the recording studio with such artists as Kathleen Battle, Barbara Bonney, Elizabeth Futral, the late Judith Raskin, Lucy Shelton, and Dawn Upshaw. A devoted teacher, Ms. Garrett co-directed the Collaborative Piano Department at New England Conservatory and headed the Collaborative Piano department at The Juilliard School. Ms. Garrett directed the Tanglewood Music Center vocal fellowship program and the TMC Vocal Program. In addition, she has served as Faculty Chair of The Steans Institute for Young Artists vocal programs at Chicago Symphony’s Ravinia Festival and held residencies at the Hochschule für Musik, Germany; Vancouver International Song Institute; Taiwan Normal Teacher’s University; Soochou University, China; Music Academy of the West; and Internationale Meistersinger Akademie, Germany. The American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) awarded Ms. Garrett its Most Creative Programming Award for her curation of programs for the Cape and Islands Chamber Music Festival.

More information about our 2021 Vocal Competition:

Lisa Gray 12/17/20 Lisa Gray 12/17/20

Meet the Preliminary-Round Judges for the 2021 Competition

UPDATED May 3, 2021 — These are the opera professionals who served as Preliminary-Round Judges for the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. They watched a LOT of video-auditions this year, and we are so grateful for their expertise and stamina!

Carleen Graham is Director of HGOco, Houston Grand Opera’s community and learning initiative, and she recently announced she will join the Manhattan School of Music on July 1 2021 as its inaugural Associate Dean and Director of Vocal Arts. Dr. Graham is a State University of New York Distinguished Teaching Professor Emerita and was Director of the award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble at SUNY Potsdam for 24 years. She was the co-founding Executive Director of the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar, Vice President of Conventions of the National Opera Association, and is a member of OPERA America’s Women’s Opera Network. Dr. Graham holds degrees from Columbia University; New England Conservatory of Music, and Ohio University, and is an active stage director, masterclass teacher, competition adjudicator, and conference presenter. Dr. Graham is a trustee of the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.

R. Benjamin Leaptrott, Jr. is assistant professor of music with a specialty in collaborative arts at Brenau University and also an Artist in Residence at Brenau with The Leaptrott Trio. He is an active recitalist, vocal coach, and accompanist, and he also served as a past accompanist for the district and regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from East Carolina University, a Masters of Music Degree from Eastman School of Music, as well as Solo and Chamber Music Diplomas from Sweelinck Academy at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Mr. Leaptrott is Vice President of the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.

Oliver Worthington, baritone, is Coordinator of the Voice Area at Butler University and is the producing director of Butler Opera Theater. He performs extensively as an opera singer, oratorio soloist, and recitalist, appearing regionally with San Antonio Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Austin Opera, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, among others. Dr. Worthington maintains a full schedule as an educator and performer and serves as the President of The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.

Read more of the details about the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition.

Lisa Gray 12/13/20 Lisa Gray 12/13/20

Jensen Foundation Announces Virtual 2021 Competition

UPDATED JANUARY 6, 2021 - The Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation is now accepting online applications from opera professionals 25-35 years of age for the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Singers can apply at Yaptracker.com to compete for their share of more than $40,000 in prize money. While the annual competition typically takes place in New York City, the 2021 Competition will be 100% virtual.

Instead of inviting singers to audition, the Foundation this year asks singers to submit aria video-recordings. From these submissions, judges will choose twelve finalists who will compete, again via video-recordings, for these awards:

First place - $15,000
Second place - $10,000
Third place - $7,500
Munday Encouragement Award - $3,000 and automatic entry in the 2022 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition
People’s Choice - $500

“Our top priorities are keeping singers safe and supporting their work,” says Oliver Worthington, Jensen Foundation Board Chair. “A virtual competition will let us accomplish both of those goals this year. We love hearing singers in-person, of course, and we’ll move back to that format as soon as circumstances allow. But at this point, we know singers are producing audition videos for companies and other competitions. We will piggy-back on those efforts and, we hope, attract more singers than ever.”

The 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition is open to opera singers who meet the following eligibility requirements:

must not be a previous first-, second-, or third-place award winner of the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition;
must be a permanent legal resident of the United States for at least one year prior to March 15, 2021;
must be between the ages of 25 and 35 as of March 15, 2021;
must not be a past or current recipient of a contract for a principal role with an OPERA America Budget Level I company or its international equivalent. Cover, chorus, and comprimario roles with Level 1 companies are acceptable.
must submit a completed application online by the deadline of Sunday, March 14, 2021.

For more details about the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, visit our Competition 411 page.

About the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation

Fritz and Lavinia Jensen were lifelong supporters of the arts who benefited many musicians and musical organizations during their lives. The Jensen Foundation is dedicated to continuing their philanthropic vision of support for the musical arts. The centerpiece of the Foundation’s efforts, the annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, supports young artists pursuing a career in opera. Since the Competition’s inception in 2000, 388 singers have received more than $747,000 in support.

Lisa Gray 4/10/20 Lisa Gray 4/10/20

Jensen Foundation Cancels Its 2020 Competition

Each Applicant To Receive $200 Grant

POSTED APRIL 10, 2020 – The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation announced today its decision to cancel its 2020 Vocal Competition, originally scheduled for May 11-16 in New York City. In the same statement, Jensen Foundation Chair Oliver Worthington announced that each of the 2020 competition’s 235 singer-applicants would receive a $200 grant from the Foundation.

“Mrs. Jensen established the Jensen Foundation to support singers, and if there was ever a time when singers needed support, this is it. The world needs music now more than ever, and we are eager to hear singers’ voices again as soon as possible.”

The Foundation expects to once again host the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition in May 2021. Sign up here to receive early notification of the 2021 Competition guidelines and application.

About the Jensen Foundation

The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation is a donor-advised fund of the Foundation for the Carolinas, 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, 388 singers have received more than $747,000 in support.

Lisa Gray 3/8/20 Lisa Gray 3/8/20

Meet Our 2020 Finals Judges

Meet the roster of world-renowned judges for the 2020 Jensen Competition Finals, to be held in New York City on Saturday, May 16, 2020.

UPDATED APRIL 10, 2020 — The 2020 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition has been cancelled, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020 Competition Final Round was to be judged by this slate of internationally recognized opera professionals. These Finals Judges had graciously agreed to offer feedback to all finalists, had the Competition taken place as expected. We are grateful to Maestro Buchalter, Ms. Harmer, and Ms. Garrett for their willingness to support the Jensen Foundation and our singers.

Gregory Buchalter is the Artistic Director and conductor of Opera Fairbanks, Opera Las Vegas, and Opera Camerata of Washington. This season he conducts productions with New England Conservatory of Music, the North Czech Philharmonic in Prague, and Pacific North West Opera. In 2021, his engagements include Faust with Florida Grand Opera. In Fairbanks he has conducted L’Italiana in Algeri, Carmen, La Boheme, L’elisir d’amore, Don Giovanni, Tosca, and La Cenerentola. Maestro Buchalter currently serves on the music staff at the Metropolitan Opera and was Chorus Master for the telecasts of Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Don Giovanni and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. He has also prepared several world premieres at the Met: John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles, Philip Glass’ The Voyage, and John Harbison’s The Great Gatsby. Read more about Maestro Buchalter.

This season, soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer makes her debut at Opera Philadelphia as Fata Morgana in The Love of Three Oranges and sings Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus in Tokyo with Seiji Ozawa. A graduate of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Ms. Harmer has appeared in their productions of Le nozze di Figaro, War and Peace, Khovanshchina, Parsifal, Die Agyptische Helena, Jenufa, and the complete Ring Cycle. She also appeared in the Met’s HD broadcasts of the Ring Cycle and The Magic Flute, which have subsequently been released on DVD (Deutsche Gramophone). Other recent opera engagements have included the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos and Adalgisa in Norma at the Palm Beach Opera, Senta in Die fliegende Holländer and multiple roles in the Ring Cycle at the Seattle Opera, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus at the Houston Grand Opera, Die Walküre at the San Francisco Opera, and Glauce in Medea at the Glimmerglas Festival. Ms. Harmer graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from The Boston Conservatory and attended the Music of Academy of the West. In addition to being a Jensen Competition winner, she also won the Richard Tucker Grant, the Teatro alla Scala Award, the Palm Beach Opera Competition, and the George London/Leonie Rysanek Award. Ms. Harmer is an Opus3 Artist.

More information about our 2020 Vocal Competition:

Lisa Gray 3/2/20 Lisa Gray 3/2/20

For Singers Looking for Operas Composed After 1980...

UPDATED April 4, 2024 — For the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, singers must offer one aria composed after 1980. As a jumpstart on that aria search, here is a non-definitive list of operas composed after 1980.

27, Gordon (2014)
A Coffin in Egypt, Gordon (2014)
A Flowering Tree, Adams | Sellars (2006)
A Metamorphosis, Christmas (2018)
A Pregnant Pause, Baxter | Rozsnyai (2024)
A Quiet Place, Bernstein (1983)
A Streetcar Named Desire, Previn | Littel (1998)
A View from the Bridge, Bolcom | Weinstein & Miller (1999)
A Wedding, Bolcom | Altman & Weinstein (2004)
After Life, Cipullo | Mason (2015)
Ainadamar, Golijov | Hwang (2003)
Alice, An Operatic Wonderland, Scurria (2022)
Alice in Wonderland, Chin (2004)
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Bates | Scheer (2024)
An American Dream, Perla | Murphy-Moo (2015)
An American Soldier, Ruo (2018)
Anna Hunter, Ching (2017)
Anna Nicole, Turnage (2011)
Another City, Beck (2023)
Another Sunrise, Heggie | Scheer (2012)
Arkhipov, Knell (2022)
As One, Kaminsky | Campbell & Reed (2014)
At the Statue of Venus, Heggie (2005)
Before Night Falls, Martin (2010)
Bel Canto, López | Cruz (2015)
Blind Injustice, Richards | Cote (2019)
Blue, Tesori (2019)
Breaking the Waves, Mazzoli (2016)
Castor and Patience, Spears | Smith (2022)
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird, Schnyder (2015)
Clair de Lune, Larsen (1984)
Cold Mountain, Higdon | Scheer (2015)
Cold Sassy Tree, Floyd (2000)
The Companion, Paterson | Cote (2014)
The Cows of Apollo, Theofanidis (2001)
The Dangerous Liaisons, Susa (1994)
Dark Sisters, Muhly | Karam (2011)
Dead Man Walking, Heggie | McNally (2000)
Death of Klinghoffer, Adams (1990)
Dinner at Eight, Bolcom | Campbell (2017)
Dog Days, Little (2015)
Dolores Claiborne, Picker (2013)
Doctor Atomic, Adams | Sellars (2005)
Dream of the Red Chamber, Sheng (2016)
El Niño, Adams (2000)
El último sueño de Frida y Diego, Frank (2021)
Elizabeth Cree, Puts | Campbell (2017)
Elmer Gantry, Aldridge | Garfein (2007)
Emmeline, Picker (1996)
Empty the House, Orth (2019)
The Enchanted Pig, Dove | Middleton (2006)
Escobar, Neri | Martinez (2017)
Eurydice, Aucoin | Ruhl (2020)
The Exterminating Angel, Adès |Cairns (2016)
Factotum, Liverman/DJ King Rico (2023)
The Falling and the Rising, Redler | Dye (2018)
Fantastic Mr. Fox, Picker (1998)
Fellow Travelers, Spears | Pierce (2007)
Flight, Dove | De Angelis (1998)
Florencia en el Amazonas, Catán (1996)
For a Look or a Touch, Heggie | Scheer (2007)
Frida, Rodriquez | Blecher (1991)
Garden of the Finzi Continis, Gordon | Korie (2022)
Ghosts of Versailles, Corigliano (1983)
The Gift of the Magi, Conte (1997)
Glory Denied, Cipullo (2007)
Goya, Menotti (1986)
The Grapes of Wrath, Gordon | Korie (2007)
The Great Gatsby, Harbison | Harbison (1999)
Great Scott, Heggie | McNally (2015)
Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom, Okoye (2014)
Having Guests for Dinner, Bentz | Feng (2020)
Home of my Ancestors, Okoye (2017)
The Hours, Puts | Pierce (2022)
House of Orfeus, Ford | Ford (2024)
House Without a Christmas Tree, Gordon (2017)
I Have No Stories To Tell You, Beecher | Moscovitch (2014)
If I Were You, Heggie | Scheer (2019)
Il Postino, Catán (2010)
The Impresario and the Dueling Divas, Christman (2021)
The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace, Sankaram (2019)
Intelligence, Heggie (2023)
Intimate Apparel, Gordon | Nottage (2020)
Iron Road, Chan (2001)
It's A Wonderful Life, Heggie (2016)
JFK, Little | Vavrek (2016)
Jackie O, Daugherty (1997)
John Brown, Mechem (2008)
Josephine, Cipullo (2016)
La hija de Rappaccini, Catán | Tovar (1983)
Later the Same Evening, Musto | Campbell (2007)
The Listeners, Mazzoli | Vavrek (2022)
The Little Prince, Portman | Wright (2003)
Little Women, Adamo | Adamo (1998)
The Lord of Cries, Corigliano (2021)
Lucy, Cipullo (2009)
Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadows, Allen (2022)
Lysistrata, Adamo | Adamo (2006)
M. Butterfly, Hwang (2022)
Madeline Lee, Haddock (2004)
The Manchurian Candidate, Puts (2015)
Margaret Garner, Danielpour (2005)
Marnie, Muhly (2018)
Mayo, Cipullo (2018)
McTeague, Bolcom (1992)
Moby-Dick, Heggie (2010)
Mother Goose, Jarrar (2019)
Naga, Wheeler (2016)
Nixon in China, Adams (1987)
Old Man and the Sea, Prestini | Vavrek (2024)
Omar, Giddens | Abels (2022)
Oscar, Morrison (2015)
Our Town, Rorem | McClatchy (2006)
Out of Darkness (Two Remain), Heggie (2016)
Outside, Blaskie (2019)
Patience & Pearl, Jarrar | Goodwin (2016)
Penny, Pew (2015)
Plastic Flowers, MacDowell | MacDowell (2014)
Powder Her Face, Ades (1995)
prisoner of the state, Lang (2019)
Proving Up, Mazzoli (2018)
Rappahannock County, Gordon (2011)
Rattensturm, Wold (2018)
Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt, Musto (2016)
The Rift, Ruo (2022)
The Rivals, Mechem (2011)
Roscoe, Mack (2014)
Scalia/GInsburg, Wang | Wang (2014)
Service Provider, Weiss (2015)
Silent Night, Puts | Campbell (2011)
Siren Song, Dove | Dear (1994)
Soldier Songs, Little | Little (2006)
Song of the Nightingale, DeSpain (2023)
The Song Poet, Hagen | Yang (2023)
Speed Dating Tonight!, Ching (2013)
Tabula Rasa, Jarrar (2018)
Taking Up Serpents, Sankaram (2019)
Tartuffe, Mechem (1980)
Tea: a mirror of soul, Tan Dun (2002)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Talbot (2020)
The Dream of Valentino, Argento (1993)
The Long Walk, Beck (2015)
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Bates (2017)
The Scarlet Letter, Laitman | Mason (2008)
The Secret River, Sung | Campbell (2021)
The Silk City, Santelli (2019)
The Tell Tale Heart, Jarrar (2021)
The Tempest, Adès | Oakes (2004)
The Tempest, Hoiby | Shulgasser (1986)
The Transformation of Jane Doe, Garrop (2020)
Thérèse Raquin, Picker (2001)
Three Decembers, Heggie | Scheer (2008)
Three Way, Paterson (2017)
Thumbprint, Sankaram (2014)
To Hell and Back, Heggie (2006)
Treemonisha (Reimagined), Sneed | Chilton (2023)
Triangle, Solitro (2019)
Two Remain, Heggie | McNally (2016)
Uncovered, Laitman | Lax (2020)
Vanqui, Burrs (1995)
We, The Innumerable, Nourbakhsh (2019)
When Adonis Calls, Borzoni (2014)
Willie Stark, Floyd (1981)
Written on Skin, Benjamin (2012)
X - The Life & Times of Malcolm X, Davis (1986)
you do not recognize the bodies in the water, Jarrar (2022)
Zorro, Armienta (2022)

Lisa Gray 2/10/20 Lisa Gray 2/10/20

Meet the Judges for the Prelim Rounds of the 2020 Competition

UPDATED APRIL 10, 2020 — The 2020 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition has been cancelled, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These are the singers and teachers who were to be our Preliminary-Round Judges. The Jensen Foundation thanks all of these dedicated professionals for their support of our singers.

Kirsten Chambers, soprano, has sung the title role of Salome at the Metropolitan Opera, Opera Hong Kong, and Florida Grand Opera. Her Carnegie Hall debut was Maria in Richard Strauss’ Friedenstag with the American Symphony Orchestra. At the Metropolitan Opera, she has covered leading roles like Isolde in Tristan und Isolde and Marie in Wozzeck. Abroad, she has sung Elsa in Lohengrin with the Savonlinna Opera Festival, Opéra de Rennes, and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Favorite engagements include Erwartung with The Orchestra Now, Strauss’ Die Ägyptische Helena with Odyssey Opera, and the Angel in Angels in America for New York City Opera. Ms. Chambers earned degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University and the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Visit her website to learn more.

R. Benjamin Leaptrott, Jr. is assistant professor of music with a specialty in collaborative arts at Brenau University and also an Artist in Residence at Brenau with The Leaptrott Trio. He is an active recitalist, vocal coach, and accompanist, serving as accompanist for the district and regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from East Carolina University, a Masters of Music Degree from Eastman School of Music, and a Solo Diploma from Sweelinck Academy at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Mr. Leaptrott is Vice President of the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.

Oliver Worthington, baritone, is Coordinator of the Voice Area at Butler University and is the producing director of Butler Opera Theater. After a concert tour of South Africa in the fall, he will have performed in Africa as well as North America, South America, and Europe. He performs extensively as an opera singer, oratorio soloist, and recitalist, appearing regionally with San Antonio Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Austin Opera, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, among others. Dr. Worthington maintains a full schedule as an educator and performer and serves as the President of The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.

Only the Best Accompanists for Jensen Singers

Every year, singers rate their Jensen accompanists as excellent, and we know what a difference an excellent accompanist makes to an audition! We are proud to announce that our all-star line-up of accompanists from 2019 is back for the 2020 Competition.

Shane Schag serves on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music and at Operaworks in Los Angeles. He has worked in the capacity of vocal coach for Centro Studi Italiani Opera Festival and as an assistant conductor for the Gotham Chamber Opera. In 2007, Mr. Schag made his debut at Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall), and now he serves as staff pianist for Carnegie Hall’s Musical Explorers concert series, which reaches out to public schools across the tri-state area. Mr. Schag earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Ashland University of Ohio, a Master’s Degree in Collaborative Piano from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Professional Studies Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music. He will accompany Jensen singers on Monday, May 11.

Jonathan Kelly is an assistant conductor at The Metropolitan Opera. He has worked in a similar capacity at the San Francisco Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Theater of Lucca, and the Chautauqua Institution. Frequently seen in concert, Mr. Kelly has appeared with many of today’s leading performers, including Elina Garanča, Susan Graham, Hei-Kyung Hong, Ana María Martínez, Anna Netrebko, Ramon Vargas, and Rolando Villazon. Formerly a lecturer at Yale University, he is now a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Kelly graduated summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music. He will accompany Jensen singers on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12-13.

Dan Franklin Smith is a vocal coach and collaborative pianist based in New York City. He served for 10 years as Music Director and recital soloist with the international festival Elysium: Between-Two-Continents, performing in Europe and the United States. Mr. Smith graduated as a piano major from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. To learn more, visit his website. Mr. Smith will accompany Jensen singers on Thursday, May 14, and on the Finals Day, Saturday, May 16.

Mezzo Olivia Vote Takes First Place at 2019 Jensen Competition

Olivia Vote, 2019 Jensen Competition Winner

MAY 18 2019 – NEW YORK CITY, NY – Today, the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation awarded Olivia Vote First Place in the 20th annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition in New York City. For the final day of the competition, Ms. Vote, a mezzo-soprano, performed “Air de lettre” from Jules Massenet’s Werther, “Je vais mourir” from Les Troyens by Hector Berlioz, and “Wie du Warst” from Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. Ms. Vote received $15,000 as first place winner.

“I am so thrilled to be the winner of the Jensen Competition,” said Ms. Vote. “I plan to use the winnings to take more coachings and language study for some important role debuts coming up: I’ll be singing my first Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos with Cincinnati Opera this summer and also preparing Charlotte in Werther to cover Joyce Didonato at The Metropolitan Opera next season. I would also love to get back to Europe and audition for some theaters this fall, and this money will make that possible.”

“My experience with the Jensen Competition was so uplifting. The judges greeted you with a smile, genuinely watched while you sang, and gave helpful, constructive feedback. Thanks to this competition, I have made connections with new companies and conductors I would not have otherwise made. It's an honor to have won this year, and I thank the Jensen Foundation for giving singers the opportunity to thrive and move ahead in our careers.” Ms. Vote received her Masters degree in Music from the Yale School of Music and her Bachelor of Music degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Visit Ms. Vote’s website here.

Other 2019 Jensen award winners were mezzo-soprano Corrie Stallings (Second Place Award Winner - $10,000), soprano Teresa Castillo (Third Place Award Winner - $7,500), and soprano Sylvia D’Eramo (Munday Encouragement Award Winner - $3,000).

Corrie Stallings | Teresa Castillo | Sylvia D’Eramo

Additional finalists who performed in the 2019 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition were:

Sydney Anderson | Soprano
Mario Diaz-Moresco | Baritone
Leah Heater | Mezzo-Soprano
Helen Huang | Soprano
Jessica Johnson Brock | Mezzo-Soprano
Laura Leon | Soprano
Amy Owens | Soprano
Tyler Putnam | Bass
Timothy Renner | Baritone
Kenneth Stavert | Baritone

These singers distinguished themselves from a field of 112 auditioners and 254 applicants. Judges for the 2019 Jensen Finals were Harolyn Blackwell, Vincent de Kort, and Bill Powers (Read their bios here.) Judges for the Preliminary Rounds, held Monday-Thursday, were Kirsten Chambers, soprano; Ben Leaptrott (Brenau University); and Oliver Worthington (Butler University). The 2019 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition was held May 13-18 in the Engelman Recital Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City.

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, 153 singers have received more than $700,000 in support.

Lisa Gray 5/16/19 Lisa Gray 5/16/19

And the 2019 Jensen Competition Finalists Are...

POSTED MAY 16, 2019 – NEW YORK, NY – After four days of preliminary auditions this week, finalists to the 2019 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition have been announced. They are:

Sydney Anderson | Soprano
Teresa Castillo | Soprano
Sylvia D'Eramo | Soprano
Mario Diaz-Moresco | Baritone
Leah Heater | Mezzo-Soprano
Helen Huang | Soprano
Jessica Johnson Brock | Mezzo-Soprano
Laura Leon | Soprano
Amy Owens | Soprano
Tyler Putnam | Bass
Timothy Renner | Baritone
Corrie Stallings | Mezzo-Soprano
Kenneth Stavert | Baritone
Olivia Vote | Mezzo-Soprano

These fourteen singers compete for more than $40,000 in awards this Saturday, May 18th 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:

Soprano Harolyn Blackwell has performed with opera companies and at festivals around the world. At the Metropolitan Opera, she has appeared in La Fille du Régiment, Un Ballo in Maschera, Le Nozze di Figaro, and more. Miss Blackwell is a Board Member of The Metropolitan Opera Guild, The Voice Foundation, The Martina Arroyo Foundation, The George London Foundation, and The Morgan Library.

Maestro Vincent de Kort, born in the Netherlands, is in high demand with the world's leading opera houses and festivals, including Mariinsky Theatre St Petersburg (invited by Valery Gergiev) and Royal Swedish Opera. His engagements include appearances with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden, Mariinsky Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic. Mr. de Kort is jury chairman of the highly popular Dutch TV show MAESTRO.

William Powers is Managing Director at PittsburghOpera, having served earlier as Administrative Director for the Juilliard School’s Department of Vocal Arts and the Juilliard Opera Center. Mr. Powers has judged for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has served on the Board of Directors of OPERA America.

More than 250 singers applied to perform in the 2019 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. One hundred three singers were heard, and these fourteen 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: Ms. Kirsten Chambers, soprano; Mr. Ben Leaptrott of Brenau University; and Mr. Oliver Worthington of Butler University. Read more about our Preliminary Judges.

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, 153 singers have received more than $700,000 in support.

Lisa Gray 3/4/19 Lisa Gray 3/4/19

Meet Our 2019 Finals Judges

The 2019 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition Finals will be judged by this slate of internationally recognized opera professionals. Our Finals Judges have graciously agreed to offer feedback to all finalists who wish to stay after the competition on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Soprano Harolyn Blackwell has performed with opera companies and at festivals around the world, including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro Colon de Buenos Aires, San Francisco Opera, Netherlands Opera, Seattle Opera, Opéra de Nice, Miami Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Aix-en-Provence Festival, Opera Orchestra of New York, New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Ravinia Festival. At the Metropolitan Opera, she has appeared in La Fille du Régiment, Un Ballo in Maschera, Le Nozze di Figaro, Manon, Die Fledermaus, and Werther. As an advocate for Arts Education, Miss Blackwell is a Board Member of The Metropolitan Opera Guild, The Voice Foundation, The Martina Arroyo Foundation, The George London Foundation, and The Morgan Library. She is a member of The Artists Committee for The Kennedy Center Honors and has also served on the Artists Selection Committee for The Marian Anderson Competition and The NEA Awards. To learn more, visit her website.

Maestro Vincent de Kort, born in the Netherlands, is in high demand with the world's leading opera houses and festivals, including Mariinsky Theatre St Petersburg (invited by Valery Gergiev), Royal Swedish Opera, Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, Oper Leipzig, Scottish Opera, Semperoper Dresden, New National Theatre Tokyo, Vienna’s Schönbrunn Festival, Edinburgh Festival and the Nelson Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg. In 1995, after a career as a cellist, he made his conducting debut with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. De Kort’s engagements include appearances with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden, Mariinsky Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Netherlands Philharmonic, Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Sinfonia Varsovia, New Japan Philharmonic. Having studied with Mariss Jansons in Oslo, he continued his studies in St. Petersburg with Ilya Musin and was the assistant conductor to Bernard Haitink, William Christie, and Gennady Rozhdestvensky. Mr. de Kort is jury chairman of the highly popular Dutch TV show MAESTRO. In addition to his performing career, de Kort is a passionate marathon runner. To learn more, visit his website.

William Powers is Managing Director at PittsburghOpera, having served earlier as Administrative Director for the Juilliard School’s Department of Vocal Arts and the Juilliard Opera Center. He subsequently joined the Metropolitan Opera’s Artistic Department as the Associate Administrator in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and served in the Met’s Rehearsal Department. Mr. Powers was General Director of the Berkshire Opera Company and held posts at The Music Academy of the West and the Aspen Opera Theater Center. Mr. Powers has judged for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has served on the Board of Directors of OPERA America. Mr. Powers holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Hamilton College and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business Administration. He is also an alumnus of the Juilliard School’s Professional Intern Program.

More information about our 2019 Vocal Competition:

Lisa Gray 2/18/19 Lisa Gray 2/18/19

Announcing our 2019 Slate of Preliminary-Round Judges

The Jensen Foundation recruits a talented and tireless group of opera professionals who hear the 100+ singers awarded auditions for the competition each year. These folks share the exciting and difficult responsibility of choosing performers for the Finals. Meet the singers and teachers who will be our Preliminary Judges for the 2019 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition.

Kirsten Chambers, soprano, has portrayed the title role of Salome at the Metropolitan Opera, Opera Hong Kong, and Florida Grand Opera. Her Carnegie Hall debut was Maria in Richard Strauss’ Friedenstag with the American Symphony Orchestra. She joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera in Tristan und Isolde and will rejoin the Metropolitan Opera roster next season for Die Walküre. She made her European debut with the Savonlinna Opera Festival as Elsa in Lohengrin, a role she also performed with Opéra de Rennes and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Upcoming in Boston is a debut of her favorite Strauss role, Die Ägyptische Helena. Ms. Chambers earned degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University and the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Visit her website to learn more.

R. Benjamin Leaptrott, Jr. is assistant professor of music with a specialty in collaborative arts at Brenau University and also an Artist in Residence at Brenau with The Leaptrott Trio. He is an active recitalist, vocal coach, and accompanist, serving as accompanist for the district and regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from East Carolina University, a Masters of Music Degree from Eastman School of Music, and a Solo Diploma from Sweelinck Academy at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Mr. Leaptrott is Vice President of the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.

Oliver Worthington, baritone, is an assistant professor of music at Butler University and will also teach at Opera Viva in Verona, Italy in the summer of 2019. He has performed extensively as an opera singer, oratorio soloist, and recitalist, appearing with San Antonio Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Austin Opera, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, among others. Dr. Worthington maintains a full schedule as an educator and performer and serves as the President of The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.

Meet our Accompanists for the 2019 Competition

At the Jensen Competition, we understand how the collaboration between singer and accompanist can make a performance shine. So we engage renowned accompanists and make them available, free-of-charge, to each of our auditioners. Meet our (your!) 2019 accompanists.

Jonathan Kelly is an assistant conductor at The Metropolitan Opera. He has worked in a similar capacity at the San Francisco Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Theater of Lucca, and the Chautauqua Institution. Frequently seen in concert, Mr. Kelly has appeared with many of today’s leading performers, including Elina Garanča, Susan Graham, Hei-Kyung Hong, Ana María Martínez, Anna Netrebko, Ramon Vargas, and Rolando Villazon. Formerly a lecturer at Yale University, he is now a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Kelly graduated summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music. He will accompany Jensen singers on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14-15.

Dan Franklin Smith is a vocal coach and collaborative pianist based in New York City. He served for 10 years as Music Director and recital soloist with the international festival Elysium: Between-Two-Continents, performing in Europe and the United States. Mr. Smith graduated as a piano major from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. To learn more, visit his website. Mr. Smith will accompany Jensen singers on Thursday, May 16, and on the Finals Day, Saturday, May 18.

Soprano Felicia Moore Takes First Place at 2018 Jensen Competition

MAY 26 2018 – NEW YORK CITY, NY – Today, the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation awarded Felicia Moore First Place in the 19th annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition in New York City. For the final day of the competition, Ms. Moore, a soprano, performed “L’altra notte in fondo al mare” from Arrigo Boito’s Mefistofele, “O smania!...D’Oreste d’Ajace” from Idomeneo by Mozart, and “Do not utter a word” from Samuel Barber’s Vanessa. Ms. Moore received $15,000 as first place winner.

Ms. Moore recently recently received her Artist Diploma in Opera Studies from The Julliard School. She will be traveling to France as a Resident in the Aix-en-Provence Festival's Mozart Académie, and then she will be in Germany as a participant of the International Meistersinger Akademie. Said Ms. Moore of her Jensen win, “I’m in shock and am honored to have won First Prize. This award will help me pay for lessons and coachings next year as I learn roles for upcoming seasons. I am very humbled and grateful to the Jensen Foundation for enabling me to continue my studies next year.” Visit Ms. Moore's website here.

Other 2018 Jensen award winners were baritone Emmett O’Hanlon (Second Place Award Winner - $10,000), bass-baritone Alex Soare (Third Place Award Winner - $7,500), and soprano Helena Brown (Munday Encouragement Award Winner - $3,000).

Additional finalists who performed in the 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition were:

These singers distinguished themselves from a field of 112 auditioners and 254 applicants. Judges for the 2018 Jensen Finals were Ian Derrer, Lauren Flanigan, and Steven White (Read their bios here.) Judges for the Preliminary Rounds, held Monday-Thursday, were Ben Leaptrott (Brenau University), Carleen Graham (Houston Grand Opera), and Oliver Worthington (Butler University). The 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition was held May 21-26 in the Engelman Recital Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City.

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.

Lisa Gray 5/24/18 Lisa Gray 5/24/18

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:

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.

Lisa Gray 4/27/18 Lisa Gray 4/27/18

Meet Our 2018 Finals Judges

The Jensen Foundation thanks the esteemed opera professionals who served as Finals Judges for its 2018 Vocal Competition, held Saturday, May 26 2018 in Engelman Recital Hall at New York City's Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Ian Derrer
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. His love of opera began as a member of the children’s chorus in Tosca for Charlotte Opera, now Opera Carolina. Mr. Derrer holds degrees from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, Northwestern University, and Brooklyn College.

Lauren Flanigan
Internationally acclaimed soprano Lauren Flanigan is the Founder/Director of Music and Mentoring House, a not-for-profit organization that offers training and mentoring programs for opera singers in New York City. She has enjoyed a thirty-year career that included performances at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Bayerisches Staatsoper, Glyndebourne, the New York City Opera, 10 world premieres, 1 movie, 11 cd’s, 5 Live From Lincoln Center telecasts, and 15 awards for musical and humanitarian work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation.

Steven White
Praised by Opera News as a conductor who “squeezes every drop of excitement and pathos from the score,” 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, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, and London’s Philharmonia Orchestra for a CHANDOS recording of arias. Maestro White is a master-class clinician and a frequent judge for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He has served as an artist-in-residence with Peabody Conservatory, Indiana University, University of Cincinnati—College-Conservatory of Music, Virginia Tech University, and the University of Miami Frost School of Music at Salzburg.

Lisa Gray 2/21/18 Lisa Gray 2/21/18

Accompanists Announced for the 2018 Jensen Competition

The Jensen Foundation is pleased to announce the acclaimed musicians who will be available to accompany singers for the 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition May 21-26, 2018: Jonathan Kelly and Dan Franklin Smith. Read more about Jonathan and Dan...

At the Jensen Competition, we want singers to be at their best. So we engage renowned accompanists and make them available, free-of-charge, to each of our auditioners. We are pleased to welcome back acclaimed accompanists Jonathan Kelly and Dan Franklin Smith for the 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition.

Dan Franklin Smith is a vocal coach and collaborative pianist based in New York City. He served for 10 years as Music Director and recital soloist with the international festival Elysium: Between-Two-Continents, performing in Europe and the United States. Mr. Smith graduated as a piano major from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. To learn more, visit his website. Mr. Smith will accompany Jensen singers on Thursday, May 24, and on the Finals Day, Saturday, May 26.

Lisa Gray 1/8/18 Lisa Gray 1/8/18

Apply Now to Be Part of the 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

The Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation is now accepting online applications from opera professionals 25-35 years of age for the 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Singers can apply at Yaptracker.com to compete for their share of more than $40,000 in prize money. The annual competition takes place May 21-26, 2018 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City.

The Foundation expects 100 singers to audition for the chance to sing in the final competition on Saturday, May 26, 2018 and compete for these awards:

First place - $15,000
Second place - $10,000
Third place - $7,500
Munday Encouragement Award - $3,000 and automatic entry in the 2019 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition
All remaining finalists will receive $750.

The Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition is open to opera singers who meet the following eligibility requirements:

must NOT be a previous first-, second-, or third-place award winner of the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition;
must be a permanent legal resident of the United States for at least one year prior to May 21, 2018;
must be between the ages of 25 and 35 as of May 21, 2018;
must not be a past or current recipient of a contract for a principal role with an OPERA America Budget Level I company or its international equivalent. Cover, chorus, and comprimario roles with Level 1 companies are acceptable.

Singers can complete an online application at Yaptracker.com. The deadline for entry is Sunday, March 18, 2018.

About the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation
Fritz and Lavinia Jensen were lifelong supporters of the arts who benefited many musicians and musical organizations during their lives. The Jensen Foundation is dedicated to continuing their philanthropic vision of support for the musical arts. The centerpiece of the Foundation’s efforts, the annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, supports young artists pursuing a career in opera. Since the Competition’s inception in 2000, 126 young singers have received more than a $580,000 in support.

Lisa Gray 5/21/17 Lisa Gray 5/21/17

Countertenor Andrey Nemzer Wins 18th Annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

NEW YORK CITY, NY -- On Saturday, May 20, 2017, the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation awarded Andrey Nemzer First Place in the 18th annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition in New York City. For the final day of the competition, Mr. Nemzer, a countertenor, performed “Empio Diro Tu Sei” from George Frideric Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto and “Dawn, Still Darkness” from Flight by Jonathan Dove. As the winner of the competition, Mr. Nemzer received $15,000.

"I feel very excited to win the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, because of its outstanding reputation and because of the amazing financial and creative aid I've received as a result of this victory," said Mr. Nemzer. "The monetary prize will help me make one of my dreams to become true: to record a CD of Rachmaninoff art song cycles. Receiving great support from a foundation like the Jensen Foundation helps keep my faith in the brighter future of this beautiful art."

A native of Moscow, Russia, Mr. Nemzer began his studies at Moscow Choir College, after which he became a touring soloist with the Moscow Boys Choir under the direction of Victor Popov. He earned an Artist Diploma from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Nemzer frequently collaborates with renowned Russian instrumental and vocal ensembles including the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra and Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra. In the United States, he is a principal soloist with The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and frequently appears with the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh Summerfest.

Other 2017 Jensen award winners were bass-baritone Christian Pursell (Second Award Winner - $10,000), bass-baritone André Courville ($7,500), and mezzo-soprano Hannah Ludwig (Munday Encouragement Award Winner - $3,000).

(L-R) Christian Pursell, Andre Courville, Hannah Ludwig

These singers distinguished themselves from a field of 102 auditioners and 274 applicants. Judges for the 2017 Finals were F. Paul Driscoll, Rosalind Elias, and Michael Heaston. (Read their bios.) Judges for the Preliminary Rounds, held Monday-Thursday, were Jensen Foundation Trustees Jane Pardue, Ben Leaptrott, and Oliver Worthington. The 2017 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition was held May 15-20 in the Engelman Recital Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City.

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, 129 singers have received more than $610,000 in support.

Lisa Gray 5/19/17 Lisa Gray 5/19/17

Finalists Announced for the 2017 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

NEW YORK, NY – After four days of preliminary auditions this week, finalists to the 2017 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition have been announced. They are:

The Finals of the 2017 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition will be held Saturday, May 20th 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.

More than 270 singers applied to perform in the 2017 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. One hundred two singers were heard, and these twelve finalists were selected. They will compete for more than $40,000 in awards, including:

•   $15,000 for the First Place Winner
•   $10,000 for the Second Place Winner
•   $7,500 for the Third Place Winner
•   $3,000 for the Munday Encouragement Award winner

The Jensen Foundation has assembled a distinguished roster of judges for the 2017 Finals Competition. They are:

•   F. Paul Driscoll has been Editor-in-Chief of OPERA NEWS since 2003. He has served as a lecturer at such institutions as the Art Song Festival at Baldwin-Wallace College, the Metropolitan Opera Club, the Wagner Society of New York, and the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s “Singers Studio” interview series. In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate from Manhattan School of Music.
•   Rosalind Elias is one of the finest singing-actresses of our time. She has performed leading roles with distinction with premier opera companies throughout the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Vienna State Opera, and Paris Opera. Ms. Elias is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music with an Honorary Doctorate of Music.
•   Michael Heaston is Executive Director of the prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Heaston has presented master classes at numerous conservatories and universities, including The Juilliard School, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, University of North Texas, and Miami Summer Music Festival. He also serves on the Singer Training and New Works Forums for Opera America.

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, 126 singers have received more than $610,000 in support.