The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation (the “Foundation”) was established in 1998 for the purpose of assisting young opera singers in developing careers in opera.  Each year since 2000, the Foundation holds an opera competition in New York City and its winners are now members of such prestigious arts programs as The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Chicago Lyric, Tokyo City Opera, Opera Australia, Welsh National Opera, Florida Grand Opera and Opera Carolina.

In order to expand its services to young opera singers, the Foundation also provides competitive grants to young artists programs run by opera companies operating in the United States.  Grant awards generally range from $2000 to $5,000 for one year.

The Jensen Foundation is proud to announce the 2009 grant recipients, each receiving $5000:

• Central City Opera House Association
• Chicago Opera Theater
• Opera Carolina
• Pittsburgh Opera

The Jensen Foundation looks forward to providing continuing support for opera programs in the United States serving to discover and develop promising young opera singers.