CS Vocal Competition Winners : Musical Theatre High School II

Introducing our First, Second, and Third Place winners in the Musical Theatre High School II division! 

FIRST PLACE WINNER: JULIA TOOKER

1. What is your artist level and school if applicable?

I am a recent High School graduate from Penfield NY and plan to attend the Eastman School of Music this fall studying Vocal Performance in the studio of Kathryn Cowdrick.

2. What is your dream role?

In Musical Theatre my dream role is Maria in West Side Story. Being half Puerto Rican, I like her representation of a Puerto Rican soprano.  I also deeply aspire to play Christine in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera.  Last fall I had the wonderful experience of playing Christine in a local theatre company in Rochester and I would be thrilled to portray her again on Broadway.

3. What advice would you give to future participants in the CS Music competition?

I would advise future participants of the CS Music competition to enjoy the process and the wonderful people you meet.  Remember to take care and be kind to yourself, and also to warm up before singing.

4. How do you feel that singing, and music in general, can have an impact on the world?

I think music is needed in our world.  Music and singing gives us ways to express our deepest feelings and connect to others.  I believe that singing can heal or help one to cope with emotional pain that people face in their life. It also has a wonderful way of bringing people together and spreading joy.

5. Name one of your favorite professional singers and why they are so impactful.

My favorite professional singer is Renee Fleming.  She is from Rochester NY like I am, and she is a huge reason why I chose to go for singing.  Seeing someone from Rochester become a huge classical singing opera star and remain so humble is very inspiring.  I hope that one day I can see her sing live because her voice is incredible.

6. In terms of singing and performing, what has been your biggest struggle and how have you overcome it?

I have had struggles when it comes to setting unrealistic expectations for myself vocally.  I have to remind myself that mistakes are normal and that no one is perfect.  Through perseverance and practice improvements are achieved.

7. How did you come to participate in the competition? (How did you hear about it and what steps did you take in order to make it happen?)

My vocal teacher, Diane Abrahamian, at the Eastman Community Music School recommended that I participate in the CS Music Vocal Competition for the Classical and Musical Theatre categories.  I was able to use two of my college audition songs to make it through the first video round in Spring 2022.  I then flew to Chicago in May with my parents to attend the CS Music Convention and compete in the Second, Semifinal and Final rounds.

8. Were you offered any scholarships? If so, tell us about what you were offered, if it will be of help to you, and how you feel about it.

I received a full scholarship to the AAMS International Summer Music Institute in Todi Italy.  I am overjoyed for the opportunity to study Opera and Musical Arias in Italy where I will be able to enhance my knowledge of the Italian language and culture.  I especially like that the program includes staying with an Italian family so I can get an authentic experience of Italian life.

SECOND PLACE WINNER: SYDNEY HOFFMAN

1. What is your artist level and school if applicable?

When I competed at the 2022 CS Music Competition in Chicago this year, I was a senior in high School from Corvallis Oregon. Now, I am about to be a freshman at Emerson College in Boston Massachusetts to receive a BFA in Musical Theatre.

2. What is your dream role?

This is such a hard question because there are so many good shows out there. If had to choose, I would pick either Rose from Dogfight or Katherine Plumber from Newsies. Rose Fenny and I have a lot of similarities, we both want to be loved and we both are very awkward. It’s such a heart wrenching story and I would be honored to be a part to tell it. Newsies has always had a soft spot in my heart. I love that Kathrine Plumber is so quirky and headstrong and gets dirty with the boys. She takes on a profession that has been dominated by males to tell the underdog’s story and make the lives of service people better. It’s such a high energy dance musical with such a great story to tell.

3. What advice would you give to future participants in the CS Music competition?

I would say sing your heart out and put it all out there. No matter what happens, you are going to get great feedback from amazing adjudicators that will help you get better. And if you move on, you have the opportunity to use the adjudicators feedback. I always love to receive feedback because it helps me get better and gives me something to work on. On that same note, pick songs that showcase what you can do and not what you can’t. You want to show the adjudicators you and what you can do now, not what you will be able to do or you are working toward. They want to see you, not who you think they want to see. Be real.  This advice was given to me while I was picking my college audition songs and it really helped me showcase the person and actor that I am now and not what I am working on. I would  also start competing early. The first time I truly competed for CS music was this year.  I only wish I had heard about CS Music earlier.  Through CS music, there are so many scholarships for so many amazing programs that you could receive. All you need to do is get your name out there.

4. How do you feel that singing, and music in general, can have an impact on the world?

For me, music has always been my happy place. I always have music blasting in my car.  When I’m stressed, I listen to music.  I sing when I’m bored. Music gives me something to work toward and to be proud of. In musical theatre, music is used to tell a story. Songs peel back a layer of a character so the audience can live the experience with them. A specific movement timed perfectly with the accompaniment can give an audience the chills. Musical theater gives me an outlet to build something magical. 

Music in general is used to tell stories people can relate to. From the musical Come From Away, that tells a story about 9/11,  to Taylor Swift telling stories of love and heartbreak, music touches people around the world. It unites people through shared experiences.

Music has always been a big part of my life and I hope many others find it makes them happy as well.

5. Name one of your favorite professional singers and why they are so impactful.

One of my favorite singers is Sutton Foster. She has so many tools in her tool belt. She can sing legit, she can belt, she can act, and she can dance. She has the whole package every musical theatre performer dreams about.  She also has a seamless break between her head voice and her more chesty voice which is something I have been working to achieve.  I strive to be as versatile as I can be so I can sing and perform as much as I can, because that is what I want to do.

6. In terms of singing and performing, what has been your biggest struggle and how have you overcome it?

One of my biggest stuggles has been connecting what I am singing to what I am doing with my body and my face. For musical theatre, you not only have to know what the words say but you have to have a motive for singing and know who you are talking to. That has really helped not only my intentions for singing, but also my tone to convey my emotions. I have not mastered it yet but I have made huge steps toward it due to professionals and mentors who have helped me. 

7. How did you come to participate in the competition? (How did you hear about it and what steps did you take in order to make it happen?)

Last spring, the technical director from my high school theater emailed me about an opportunity to perform live after not being able to for a year and a half. I had never been to a big city before so I thought it was worth a shot. Even though there was no competition, I got to sit in on some amazing masterclasses and got to soak up all of their knowledge and ultimately helped me decide where I wanted to apply to college.  I also loved being able to speak with representatives from colleges since COVID prevented much of this from happening during my junior year. 

When the fall competition season rolled around I decided to throw my name in the hat. I got amazing feedback on a song and used that feedback as part of my preparationI for my college auditions. In the spring, I decided to submit a video again for the spring competition, not knowing what it would entail. I had no idea I would go all the way to the final round for the senior musical theatre division. It was so exciting to perform as a soloist on a stage again and to have the opportunity to perform for industry professionals was amazing.  All in all, I had so much fun competing and just being around other musicians.  I can’t wait to participate again next year as a college student. 

8. Were you offered any scholarships? If so, tell us about what you were offered, if it will be of help to you, and how you feel about it.

Because I was a graduating senior, I was not awarded any scholarships.

THIRD PLACE WINNER: IAN ANDERSEN

1. What is your artist level and school if applicable?

High School Senior – Highland High School in Salt Lake City, UT

2. What is your dream role?

This will probably change throughout the course of my career, but as of right now, it would be the Phantom of the Opera.

3. What advice would you give to future participants in the CS Music competition?

Check out all the master classes before you arrive and reserve your spot so you can sing in them. You will receive some very good feedback and advice.

Also practice, practice, practice and be prepared to performe in a small room with very knowledgeable judges. Enjoy your time, and get ready to meet performers from all over the country.

4. How do you feel that singing, and music in general, can have an impact on the world?

Song and music are powerful mediums to connect with others. People do not always speak the same language but music has the power to break cultural and idiomatic barriers and reach a very broad audience.

5. Name one of your favorite professional singers and why they are so impactful.

Anthony Warlow, because he has an amazing vocal range. He delivers his performances with a lot of passion and credibility and I would love to be as good as he is one day

6. In terms of singing and performing, what has been your biggest struggle and how have you overcome it?

I get nervous before a performance, it makes me jittery and I know that can affect my voice. Practice makes me feel less nervous and knowing that one way or another, the show must go on.

7. How did you come to participate in the competition? (How did you hear about it and what steps did you take in order to make it happen?)

I was the lead in my highschool production of Cinderella. I played the role of Prince Topher, and was selected as one of the 10 finalists for actor of the year in my state. Out of the finalists CS extended an invitation to a few of us and my family and I thought it would be a great experience.

8. Were you offered any scholarships? If so, tell us about what you were offered, if it will be of help to you, and how you feel about it.

I was not offered a scholarship, As a senior I had already committed to a University before I attended the competition, so I didn’t pursue it, but I did see many of my fellow competitors receive very generous scholarships from schools they were interested in attending, making it a very special moment.

Photo of the finalists in the Musical Theatre High School II division: