Fifteen singers were named winners at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel this past Memorial Day weekend in the CS Vocal Competition sponsored by Classical Singer magazine, Virtually Vocal, and Franco-American Vocal Academy. More than 1,830 singers competed in five different divisions in a series of rounds that began last November and concluded Sunday, May 29 in Boston. Finalists competed Saturday night in the Virtually Vocal Musical Theatre Final Round Concert and Sunday night in the Classical Final Round Concert in front of a live audience with winners announced each evening and awarded cash prizes, scholarships, and contracts. Renowned soprano and professor of voice Deborah Voigt was among the industry professionals judging the competition.
“The talent this year was exceptional,” said Sara Thomas, editor in chief of Classical Singer magazine. “I think it may have been our best year yet.”
In the Classical Competition, winners in the Young Artist/Emerging Professional Division were Dana Varga, first prize of $3,000; Rachele Schmiege, second prize of $1,500; and Amanda Bottoms, third prize of $1,000. Winners in the University Division were Samson McCrady, first prize of $1,500; Megan Grey, second prize of $750; and Jamie Groote, third prize of $500. Winners in the High School Division were Maggie Kinabrew, first prize of $1,500; Alex Wunder, second prize of $750; Bonnie Blackwell, third prize of $500.
Musical Theatre winners in the University/Young Artist Division were Yewande Odetoyinbo, first prize of $1,300 and a professional performing contract from Virtually Vocal with a major cruise line (exact details and dates TBA); Megan Shenefelt, second prize of $750; and Nicole Besa (Chamberlin), third prize of $500. Musical Theatre winners in the High School Division were Grace Kinstler, first prize of $1,200; Tyler Shore, second prize of $750; and Claire Kwon, third prize of $500.
In addition to cash prizes and contracts, more than 45 singers received scholarship offers totaling in aggregate nearly $2.1 million from over 20 universities and summer programs.
Registration opens October 1 for the 2017 CS Vocal Competition. Finals will be in Chicago May 25-28, 2017. Find details at www.classicalsinger.com/vocalcompetition.
