2015-2016
CT District Auditions ~ December 5, 2015
2014-2015
National Grand Finals ~ Metropolitan Opera House ~ March 22, 2015
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National Semi-Finals ~ Metropolitan Opera House ~ March 15, 2015
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CT District Finalist and New England Region First Place Winner Allegra De Vita participated in the National Semi-Finals and The Met on Sunday, March 15th. Allegra was one of nine singers chosen to move on to the National Grand Finals. These singers spent a week at The Met working with conductors, coaches and teachers perfecting their performances and learning valuable skills to further their careers.
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New England Regional Auditions ~ January 25, 2015
2014-2015 New England Region Winners Daniel Noyola, Allegra De Vita, Allison King, Leah Hawkins and Brian Vu
At the 2014-2015 New England Region Auditions on Sunday, January 25th, judges Gayletha Nichols, Stephen Wadsworth and Neal Goren awarded prizes to Daniel Noyola (Encouragement Award), Allegra De Vita (1st Place), Allison King (3rd Place), Leah Hawkins (2nd Place) and Brian Vu (3rd Place). Allegra De Vita represented the New England Region at the Semi-Final Auditions at the Met on Sunday, March 15th.
At the 2014-2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions for the Connecticut District, held on Saturday, December 6, 2014, six singers were named as Finalists who advanced to the New England Region Auditions on January 25, 2015. The Regional auditions were held in Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Connecticut District Auditions ~ December 6, 2014
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The 2014-2015 CT District Winners: Back row - Finalists Cynthia Cook, Brian Vu, Allegra De Vita, Leah Hawkins and Daniel Noyola; seated - Finalist Lindsay Russell, and Encouragement Award Winners Katherine Sullivan, John Marzano and Abigail Dock. Photos by official photographer, Susan B. Naumann.
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Left: Roseline Crowley Encouragement Award Winner Abigail Dock award donor Paul Guida (donor Patricia LaCamera not shown)
Right: Guida-LaCamera Encouragement Award Winner Katherine Sullivan with award donor Bruce Peabody |
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2013-2014
New England Region Auditions
Shelley Jackson, Rachelle Pike, Anna Davidson, Kidon Choi, Abigail Dock, Heather Phillips
Shelley Jackson
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Abigail Dock
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Kidon Choi
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Anna Davidson
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Katrina Galka
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Christopher Lowrey
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Heather Phillips
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Judges Ed Berkeley, Laurie Rogers and Peter Russell
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And the winners are...
Abigail Dock heading to stage
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Encouragement Award Winner Abigal Dock and Judges
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Third Place Winner Heather Phillips
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Second Place Winner Katrina Galka
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First Place Winner Christopher Lowrey
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The 2014 New England Region Winners
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Connecticut District Auditions
The Connecticut District Auditions were held at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School on December 7, 2013. Forty singers auditioned and six were selected to advance to the Regional Auditions in Boston on Sunday, January 26, 2014. Our judges were Neal Goren, Matthew Horner and MONC Associate Director Melissa Wegner.
MONC Associate Director Melissa Wegner, Finalists Heather Phillips, Abigail Dock, Rachelle Pike, Shelley Jackson, Anna Davidson, Kidon Choi, Encouragement Winners Kelly Hill, Michael Gracco, CT District Director Robin Valovich, Judges Neal Goren and Matthew Horner
Greeting the audience
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Pamela Price and Jose Caporas
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Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Winners Perry Price (1969) and Heather Thomson (1961)
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Dwight Johnson and Bill Curran
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Dr. Robert LaCamera and CT District Committee member Patty LaCamera
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Proud Mom Carol Gracco with Encouragement Award Winner Michael Gracco
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2013-2014 CT District Finalists
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Encouragement winners with their award sponsors, Dr. Paul Guida, Dr. Robert LaCamera, Bruce Peabody and Patty LaCamera
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Tenor Esteban Cordero
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Singers waiting for the Judges' results
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CT District Committee member Dave Yaffe talks with guests
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Soprano Chelsea Friedlander and her Mom and Accompanist, Helaine
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Dr. Paul Guida, Mezzo-Soprano Kelly Hill, Soprano Claudia Rosenthal and Peter Naumann
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Sopranos Zoya Gramagin and Valdis Gregory
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CT District Committee members Rickie and Dave Yaffe talk with Finalist Heather Phillips. Our wonderful custodian, Warren, looks on.
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Our amazing accompanist Lucas Wong with Yale Opera Director Doris Yarick-Cross, Heather Thomson and Perry Price
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Sopranos Rachel Policar and Janani Sridhar
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Soprano Emma McNairy
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Soprano Julie-Anne Hamula, Mezzo-Soprano Jenni Bank and Soprano Emily Holsclaw
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Rickie Yaffe
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Sopranos Rachel Pelchat and
Benedetta Cordaro with a friend
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Soprano Chelsea Friedlander and Tenor Rishi Rane with a fan
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Sopranos Jamilyn Manning-White and Emily Workman
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June 15, 2013 ~ Remembering Lili
Friends, colleagues and former students of Lili Chookasian gathered for an evening of arias and anecdotes to benefit the Connecticut District Auditions. (photos by Susan Naumann)
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2012-2013
Connecticut District Auditions
Karine Boucher, Soprano
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Aleksey Bogdanov
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Andrew Craig Brown
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Kelly Hill, Mezzo-Soprano
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Nicole Percifield, Soprano
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Thirty-three singers auditioned on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the MONC Connecticut District Auditions. These five singers were selected as CT District Finalists and advanced to the New England Region Auditions held in Boston at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall on Sunday, January 27, 2013. Our CT District panel of judges included bass Kevin Langan, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Executive Director Gayletha Nichols and soprano Sharon Sweet.
In addition to the five CT District Finalists, the judges also awarded three Encouragement Prizes. Sopranos Chelsea Friedlander and Alison King were the recipients of the Rosaline Crowley Awards, sponsored by Patty LaCamera and Paul Guida. Tenor Galeano Salas received the Patty LaCamera and Paul Guida Award sponsored by Bruce Peabody.
In addition to the five CT District Finalists, the judges also awarded three Encouragement Prizes. Sopranos Chelsea Friedlander and Alison King were the recipients of the Rosaline Crowley Awards, sponsored by Patty LaCamera and Paul Guida. Tenor Galeano Salas received the Patty LaCamera and Paul Guida Award sponsored by Bruce Peabody.
Chelsea Friedlander
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Alison King
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Galeano Salas
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New England Regionals
CT District Finalists Aleksey Bogdanov, Karine Boucher, Andrew Craig Brown, Kelly Hill and Nicole Percifield participated in the New England Regional Auditions held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at New England Conservatory in Boston. Andrew Craig Brown took third prize.
One final round of applause for the District Finalists who participated in the New England Regional Auditions!
Nicole Percifield
Kelly Hill
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Aleksey Bogdanov
Andrew Craig Brown
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Karine Boucher
Kelly Hill, Richard Cross and Andrew Craig Brown
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Regional Co-Chair John van Scoyoc introduces judges James Robinson, Dean Anthony and Sheri Greenawald
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James Robinson, NE Regional Chair Pauline Ho Bynum, Sheri Greenawald, Third Place winner Andrew Craig Brown, Encouragement winner Crystal Williams, First Place co-winner Sydney Mancasola, Dean Anthony and First Place co-winner Christopher Lowrey
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Finalists Aleksey Bogdanov, Andrew Craig Brown and Nicole Percifield with Encouragement Award winners Chelsea Friedlander and Galeano Salas
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Jaime Korkos, Dene Hill, Rachel Arky, Chelsea Friedlander and Finalist Karine Boucher
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Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Executive Director Gayletha Nichols offers feedback to Finalist Nicole Percifield
New England Regional Chair Pauline Ho Bynum helps clean up!
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Finalist Andrew Craig Brown
CT District Auditions judge Sharon Sweet offers feedback to a singer
Brittany Fowler and Rocky Sellers wait for feedback from the judges
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CT District Committee members David Yaffe and Birgitta Johnson
Supportive fans Linda & Kevin Collins
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2011-2012
Backstage: Stage Manager Bruce Peabody, soprano Katy Kelly, Natalie Melbardis Ronai and accompanist Michelle Alexander
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Rachel Arky sings for the judges
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Comparing notes: NE Region Co-Director John van Scoyoc with Margot Holzman
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2011 Judges Ted Taylor, Craig Rutenberg and Jennifer Ringo address the singers
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Encouragement Award winner Jennifer Forni with CT District Director Robin Valovich
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Twenty-two singers auditioned at the Connecticut District Auditions held on November 12, 2011. Four finalists from the Connecticut District were selected to move on to the New England Regional Auditions, held in Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory of Music, on Sunday, January 29, 2012: bass-baritone Andrew Craig Brown, mezzo-soprano Cynthia Cook, baritone Cameron McPhail and mezzo-soprano Annie Rosen. Seven CT District Encouragement Awards were also presented to Zachary Altman, Jennifer Forni, Chelsea Friedlander, Kelly Hill, Jamilyn Manning-White, Timothy Passetto and Lisa Williamson.
Cynthia Cook onstage at Jordan Hall
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Backstage: Cameron McPhail, Annie Rosen and Andrew Craig Brown
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Presentation of awards
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At the New England Regional Auditions in January, First Prize honors went to Annie Rosen who advanced to the National Semi-Finals at the Metropolitan Opera on March 11, 2012. In addition, Andrew Craig Brown was awarded the Third Prize prize and Cameron McPhail received an Encouragement Award.
Annie Rosen at the National Semi-Finals at The Metropolitan Opera
2010-2011
Eric Barry, tenor
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These six finalists were selected at the CT District Auditions on December 2, 2010 to move on to the New England Regional Finals. Encouragement awards were also presented to Jenni Bank, Kathryn Demos, Kirk McAuliffe and Karolina Wojteczko.
At the Regional Auditions, CT finalist Emily Duncan-Brown and Boston finalist Michelle Johnson were selected to move on to the National Semi-Final Auditions at the Met in March. An Encouragement Award was presented to David Pershall.
At the Regional Auditions, CT finalist Emily Duncan-Brown and Boston finalist Michelle Johnson were selected to move on to the National Semi-Final Auditions at the Met in March. An Encouragement Award was presented to David Pershall.
David Pershall and Michelle Johnson await the judges' decision
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Vivien Shotwell
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Accompanist John Moriarty, Emily-Duncan Brown, David Pershall, NE Region Chair Pauline Ho Bynum and Michelle Johnson
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Doris Yarick-Cross, David Pershall and Richard Cross
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National Semi-Finals
CT District Director Robin Valovich, Michelle Johnson, NE Regional Chairman Pauline Ho Bynum, Emily Duncan-Brown
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National Grand Finals Winner Michelle Johnson
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2009-2010
Connecticut District winners who were selected to move on to the New England Regional Auditions were mezzo-soprano Jennifer Feinstein, mezzo-soprano Gala El Hadidi, baritone Tyler Simpson, baritone Michael Weyandt and mezzo-soprano Chrystal E. Williams. In addition, Encouragement Awards were presented to soprano Andrea Coleman and lyric coloratura soprano Amanda Hall.
CT District Finalist Chrystal E. Williams
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Gala El Hadidi receives an Encouragement Award from MONC Executive Director Gayletha Nichols and NE Region Co-Chair John van Scoyoc
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2010 New England Region award winners Jennifer Feinstein, Corinne Winters, Gala El Hadidi and Yasmine Levi-Ellentuck
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New England cheering section at the National Semi-Finals: Margot Holzman, Bill Shumate, Peter Miller, John van Scoyoc, Pauline Ho Bynum, Robin Valovich
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Waiting for the results
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2008-2009
CT Winners at the NE Regional Auditions in Boston
Chrystal E. Williams and Amanda Hall
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NE Regionals Winner Nadine Sierra and her accompanist
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Gala El Hadidi waits for "feedback" from the judges
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National Grand Finals at the Met
Nadine Sierra discusses her performance with
Marilyn Horne
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National Grand Finals Winner Nadine Sierra and the New England cheering section
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Nadine with her teacher, Ruth Falcon
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Past Connecticut District Finalists
2016-17: Tamara Banjesevic, soprano; Andres Moreno Garcia, tenor; Pavel Konik, baritone; Angela Vallone, soprano
2015-16 Evanna Chiew, mezzo-soprano; Erik Van Heyningen, bass; Jakub Jozef Orlinski, countertenor; Gyuyeon Shim, soprano
2014-15: Cynthia Cook, mezzo-soprano; Allegra De Vita, mezzo-soprano; Leah Hawkins, soprano; Daniel Noyola, bass-baritone;
Lindsay Russell, soprano; Brian Vu, baritone
2013-14: Kidon Choi, baritone; Anna Davidson, soprano; Abigail Dock, mezzo-soprano; Shelley Jackson, soprano; Heather
Phillips, soprano; Rachelle Pike, mezzo-soprano
2012-13: Karine Boucher, soprano; Aleksey Bogdanov, baritone; Andrew Craig Brown, bass-baritone; Kelly Hill, mezzo-
soprano; Nicole Percifield, soprano
2011-12: Andrew Craig Brown, bass-baritone; Cynthia Cook, mezzo-soprano; Cameron McPhail, baritone; Annie Rosen,
mezzo- soprano
2010-11: Eric Barry, tenor; Emily Duncan-Brown, soprano; Katy Kelly, soprano; Liam Moran, bass; David Pershall,
bass; Vivien Shotwell, mezzo-soprano
2009-10: Jennifer Feinstein, mezzo-soprano; Gala El Hadidi, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Simpson, baritone; Michael
Weyandt, baritone; Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano
2008-09: Gala El Hadidi, mezzo-soprano; Amanda Hall, lyric coloratura soprano; Jessica Klein, soprano; Katarzyna Sadej,
mezzo-soprano; Nadine Sierra, soprano; Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano
2007-08: Christopher Mageira, baritone; Olivia Vote, mezzo-soprano; Jessica Stavros, soprano; Jay Carter, countertenor
2006-07: Alexis Martin, soprano; Matthew Plenk, tenor; Alex Richardson, tenor; Faith Sherman, mezzo-soprano
2005-06: Rebecca Ringle, mezzo-soprano; Letitia Brewer, soprano; Ashley Becker, soprano; Jihye Park, soprano; Shelby
Condray, bass
2004-05: Liam Moran, bass; Michelle Serrano Möritz, soprano; Laura Vlasak-Nolen, mezzo-soprano; Alex Richardson, tenor;
Shelby Condray, bass
2003-04: Evan Rainey Bennett, bass-baritone; Charles Mays, Jr., bass-baritone; Sarah Jane McMahon, soprano; Matthew Plenk,
tenor
2002-03: Christian Van Horn, bass; Lucas Meachum, baritone; Regina Zona, soprano
2001-02: Maksim Ivanov, baritone; Kellie Jenkins Van Horn, mezzo-soprano; Christian Van Horn, bass
2000-01: Tiffany Jackson, soprano; Brian Mulligan, baritone; Rachel Watkins, soprano
1999-2000: Kevin Hill, tenor; Krzystof Kowalewski, bass; Maksim Ivanov, baritone
1998-99: Laura Danehower-White, soprano; Roberto Iarussi, tenor
1997-98: Patrick Carfizzi, baritone
1996-97: Soonwha Lee, soprano
1995-96: James Taylor, baritone; Lynette Tapia, soprano
1994-95: Leslie Johnson, mezzo-soprano; Shawn Alice White, soprano
1993-94: Rebecca Langhurst, soprano; Mary Phillips, mezzo-soprano
1992-93: Xin Wei Zhang, mezzo-soprano
1991-92: Abbie Furmansky, soprano; Bradley Garvin, bass-baritone
1990-91: Xin Wei Zhang, mezzo-soprano; Kenneth Tarver, tenor
1989-90: Yan Yu Guo, mezzo-soprano; Jeremy Pick, baritone
1988-89: Barton Green, tenor; Rebecca Sherburn, coloratura soprano
1987-88: Martin Thompson, tenor; Chain Lun Yueh, baritone
1986-87: Martin Thompson, tenor
1985-86: Alan Held, bass-baritone; Philip v.L.D. Jeude, tenor
1984-85: Brenda Harris, soprano; Jay Taylor, baritone
1983-84: Pamela King, mezzo-soprano; Barbara Kilduff, soprano
1982-83: George Gray, tenor; Judith Malafronte, mezzo-soprano; Patricia Prunty, soprano
1981-82: Annette Spann-Lewis, mezzo-soprano
1980-81: Ruby Hinds, mezzo-soprano; Lawrence Martino, baritone
1979-80: Stephanie Conte, soprano; Margarita Vasquez, soprano; Thomas Woodman, baritone
2015-16 Evanna Chiew, mezzo-soprano; Erik Van Heyningen, bass; Jakub Jozef Orlinski, countertenor; Gyuyeon Shim, soprano
2014-15: Cynthia Cook, mezzo-soprano; Allegra De Vita, mezzo-soprano; Leah Hawkins, soprano; Daniel Noyola, bass-baritone;
Lindsay Russell, soprano; Brian Vu, baritone
2013-14: Kidon Choi, baritone; Anna Davidson, soprano; Abigail Dock, mezzo-soprano; Shelley Jackson, soprano; Heather
Phillips, soprano; Rachelle Pike, mezzo-soprano
2012-13: Karine Boucher, soprano; Aleksey Bogdanov, baritone; Andrew Craig Brown, bass-baritone; Kelly Hill, mezzo-
soprano; Nicole Percifield, soprano
2011-12: Andrew Craig Brown, bass-baritone; Cynthia Cook, mezzo-soprano; Cameron McPhail, baritone; Annie Rosen,
mezzo- soprano
2010-11: Eric Barry, tenor; Emily Duncan-Brown, soprano; Katy Kelly, soprano; Liam Moran, bass; David Pershall,
bass; Vivien Shotwell, mezzo-soprano
2009-10: Jennifer Feinstein, mezzo-soprano; Gala El Hadidi, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Simpson, baritone; Michael
Weyandt, baritone; Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano
2008-09: Gala El Hadidi, mezzo-soprano; Amanda Hall, lyric coloratura soprano; Jessica Klein, soprano; Katarzyna Sadej,
mezzo-soprano; Nadine Sierra, soprano; Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano
2007-08: Christopher Mageira, baritone; Olivia Vote, mezzo-soprano; Jessica Stavros, soprano; Jay Carter, countertenor
2006-07: Alexis Martin, soprano; Matthew Plenk, tenor; Alex Richardson, tenor; Faith Sherman, mezzo-soprano
2005-06: Rebecca Ringle, mezzo-soprano; Letitia Brewer, soprano; Ashley Becker, soprano; Jihye Park, soprano; Shelby
Condray, bass
2004-05: Liam Moran, bass; Michelle Serrano Möritz, soprano; Laura Vlasak-Nolen, mezzo-soprano; Alex Richardson, tenor;
Shelby Condray, bass
2003-04: Evan Rainey Bennett, bass-baritone; Charles Mays, Jr., bass-baritone; Sarah Jane McMahon, soprano; Matthew Plenk,
tenor
2002-03: Christian Van Horn, bass; Lucas Meachum, baritone; Regina Zona, soprano
2001-02: Maksim Ivanov, baritone; Kellie Jenkins Van Horn, mezzo-soprano; Christian Van Horn, bass
2000-01: Tiffany Jackson, soprano; Brian Mulligan, baritone; Rachel Watkins, soprano
1999-2000: Kevin Hill, tenor; Krzystof Kowalewski, bass; Maksim Ivanov, baritone
1998-99: Laura Danehower-White, soprano; Roberto Iarussi, tenor
1997-98: Patrick Carfizzi, baritone
1996-97: Soonwha Lee, soprano
1995-96: James Taylor, baritone; Lynette Tapia, soprano
1994-95: Leslie Johnson, mezzo-soprano; Shawn Alice White, soprano
1993-94: Rebecca Langhurst, soprano; Mary Phillips, mezzo-soprano
1992-93: Xin Wei Zhang, mezzo-soprano
1991-92: Abbie Furmansky, soprano; Bradley Garvin, bass-baritone
1990-91: Xin Wei Zhang, mezzo-soprano; Kenneth Tarver, tenor
1989-90: Yan Yu Guo, mezzo-soprano; Jeremy Pick, baritone
1988-89: Barton Green, tenor; Rebecca Sherburn, coloratura soprano
1987-88: Martin Thompson, tenor; Chain Lun Yueh, baritone
1986-87: Martin Thompson, tenor
1985-86: Alan Held, bass-baritone; Philip v.L.D. Jeude, tenor
1984-85: Brenda Harris, soprano; Jay Taylor, baritone
1983-84: Pamela King, mezzo-soprano; Barbara Kilduff, soprano
1982-83: George Gray, tenor; Judith Malafronte, mezzo-soprano; Patricia Prunty, soprano
1981-82: Annette Spann-Lewis, mezzo-soprano
1980-81: Ruby Hinds, mezzo-soprano; Lawrence Martino, baritone
1979-80: Stephanie Conte, soprano; Margarita Vasquez, soprano; Thomas Woodman, baritone
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