2017 Competition Accompanists Announced

Singers who participate in the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition may bring their own accompanist or opt to use the professional accompanist provided free-of-charge by the Jensen Foundation. We are pleased to announce our acclaimed accompanists for the 2017 Competition: Jonathan Kelly and Dan Franklin Smith.

Jonathan Kelly

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 Monday and Tuesday, May 15-16.

Dan Franklin Smith

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 Wednesday and Thursday, May 17-18, and on the Finals Day, Saturday, May 20.

Jensen Foundation Now Accepting Applications for its 2017 Vocal Competition

The Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation is now accepting online applications for the 2017 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition to be held May 15-20, 2017 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City. Opera professionals who are 25-35 years of age can compete for their share of more than $40,000 in award money.

The Foundation expects 110 singers to audition for the chance to sing in the final competition on Saturday, May 20, 2017 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 2018 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition
• All remaining finalists 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 15, 2017;
• must be between the ages of 25 and 35 as of May 15, 2017;
• 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 learn more about the competition at the Jensen Foundation website and complete an online application at Yaptracker.com. The deadline for entry is Sunday, March 19, 2017. 

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, young singers have received more than a $540,000 in support.

Bass Adam Lau Wins 17th Annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

On Saturday, May 21, 2016, the Jensen Foundation awarded bass Adam Lau First Place in the 17th annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. For the final day of the competition, Mr. Lau performed “O beauty, O handsomeness, goodness” (Claggart’s Aria) from Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd and “Quand la flamme de l'amour” from La jolie fille de Perth by Georges Bizet. Mr. Lau received $15,000. Finals judges Susan Ashbaker, Peter Carwell, and James Morris chose Mr. Lau from a field of fifteen finalists. 

"Getting to sing Claggart's aria for James Morris, the Met's first Claggart, is an experience I will never forget," said Mr. Lau of his finals performance. "He's a living legend in the opera world, and it was such an honor meeting him. Thank you Jensen Foundation for making this possible!"

Mr. Lau received his Master of Music degree from the Shepherd School at Rice University and his undergraduate degree in Music Vocal Performance from Whitman College. He has participated in young artist programs at the Music Academy of the West, the Aspen Opera Theater Center, the Merola Opera Program, Florida Grand Opera, and Santa Fe Opera.  He has been recognized in several other competitions, including winning the 2015 George London Foundation Vocal Competition.  

Other 2016 Jensen award winners were mezzo-soprano Allegra de Vita (Second Award Winner - $10,000), soprano Rachel Schutz ($7,500), and soprano Megan Barrera (Munday Encouragement Award Winner - $3,000). Additional finalists who performed in the 2016 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition were:

Michael Brandenburg | Tenor
Liana Guberman | Soprano
Joseph Lattanzi | Baritone
Andrew G. Manea | Baritone
Katherine Polit | Soprano
Heather Phillips | Soprano
Abigail Rethwisch | Soprano
Jonathan Rohr | Baritone
Claudia Rosenthal | Soprano
Alex Soare | Bass-Baritone
Kyle Van Schoonhoven | Tenor

These singers distinguished themselves from a field of 97 auditioners and 240 applicants. Judges for the 2016 Finals were Susan Ashbaker, Peter Carwell, and James Morris. (Read their bios.) Judges for the Preliminary Rounds, held Monday-Thursday, were Jensen Foundation Trustees Jane Pardue, Ben Leaptrott, and Oliver Worthington.

About the 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, and including this year’s award winners, 114 singers have received more than $543,000 in support. To learn more, visit jensenfoundation.org.

Meet our 2016 Finals Judges

The Jensen Foundation is pleased to announce the slate of Finals Judges for its 2016 Vocal Competition, to be held at 1 PM on Saturday, May 21 2016 in Engelman Recital Hall at New York City's Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Recently appointed General Director for Tri-Cities Opera, Susan Shiplett Ashbaker has 30+ years’ experience in the performing arts. Previously, Ms. Ashbaker served as Director of Artistic and Music Administration with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and as assistant conductor and vocal coach with the New York City Opera, European Center for Opera and Vocal Arts (Belgium), International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv and Montreal, Theater am Goetheplatz (Bremen, Germany), and the Academy of Vocal Arts. She was on the faculty of The Curtis Institute of Music from 1993-2010, and since 2005 has been Artistic Advisor and a Master Vocal Coach for The CoOPERAtive Program at Westminster Choir College, a program designed to help young singers prepare for advanced young artist or summer apprentice programs. Ms. Ashbaker trained at Southern Illinois University, l’Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, and received a second Master’s degree in vocal accompanying/coaching from University of Illinois.

Peter Carwell is the Executive Director of the Richard Tucker Music Foundation where he oversees the Foundation’s Auditions and Awards Program, as well as the artistic programming of the Foundation’s annual Richard Tucker Gala, numerous community concerts, and master classes. Mr. Carwell has held roles at the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Jewish Museum, as well as acting as a consultant for Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival. A graduate of Wesleyan University, he is a native of Washington, D.C.

Legendary bass-baritone James Morris is world famous for his performances in opera, concert, recital, and recording. With a repertoire including works by Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, Offenbach, Stravinsky, Mussorgsky, Mozart, Gounod, and Britten, Mr. Morris has performed in virtually every international opera house. Considered one of the great interpreters of the role of Wotan in Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, Mr. Morris has appeared in this role at the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Bavarian State Opera Munich, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and many others. Mr. Morris returned to the Metropolitan Opera in the 2015-2016 season as Scarpia in Tosca, as Timur in Turandot, and as Lodovico in the new production of Otello. Recent concert performances have included Hans Sachs’s monologues from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and in Rossini’s rarely-heard Moïse et Pharaon in the title role of Moïse with the Collegiate Chorale at Carnegie Hall. Born and educated in Baltimore, Maryland, Mr. Morris studied at the Peabody Conservatory and the Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts. 

2016 Accompanists Announced

Singers who participate in the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition may bring their own accompanist or opt to use the professional accompanist provided free-of-charge by the Jensen Foundation. We are pleased to announce our acclaimed accompanists for the 2016 Competition: Jonathan Kelly, Joan Krueger, and Dan Franklin Smith.

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 is scheduled to accompany Jensen singers on Monday, May 16.

Joan Krueger serves on the faculty of Purchase College, teaching French and Italian diction and Operatic Styles. She is also on the faculty of Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance summer festival, the Westchester Summer Vocal Institute, and the Metropolitan International Music Festival. In addition to being in demand as a recital and competition pianist, Ms. Krueger maintains an active coaching studio in New York City. She received her M.M. from University of Michigan and her B.M. from Michigan State University. To learn more, visit her Purchase Opera bio. Ms. Krueger is scheduled to accompany Jensen singers on Tuesday, May 17 and Wednesday May 18.

Dan Franklin Smith is a vocal coach and collaborative pianist based in New York City. He serves as Music Director and recital soloist with the international festival, Elysium: Between Two Continents. In April 2016, Mr. Smith will accompany Polish soprano Malgorzata Kellis at the Polish Consulate in New York City. He graduated as a piano major from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. To learn more, visit his website. Mr. Smith is scheduled to accompany Jensen singers on Thursday, May 19 and on the Finals Day, Saturday, May 21.

Applications Now Accepted for 2016 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

The Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation is now accepting online applications for the 2016 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition to be held May 16-21, 2016 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City. Opera professionals who are 25-35 years of age can compete for their share of more than $36,000 in prize money.

The Foundation expects 110 singers to audition for the chance to sing in the final competition on Saturday, May 21, 2016 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 into the 2017 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:

• Will be 25-35 years of age on the first day of the 2016 competition, May 16;
• Will have been a permanent legal resident of the United States for at least one year prior to May 16, 2016;
• Can demonstrate the active pursuit of a career in opera;
• Will not be a past or current recipient of a contract with an OPERA American Budget Level I company or its international equivalent.

Singers can complete an online application at Yaptracker.com. The deadline for entry is Sunday, March 13, 2016. 

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, 99 singers have received more than $500,000 in support. Learn more and meet previous winners of the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition at http://www.jensenfoundation.org.

John Brancy, Baritone, Wins 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

On Saturday, May 23, 2015, the Jensen Foundation awarded baritone John Brancy its First Place Award in the 16th annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. As first place winner, Mr. Brancy received a $15,000 award, as well as an opportunity to perform in Opera America's 2016 Emerging Artist Recital Series. 

John Brancy, Baritone, wins the 16th annual jensen foundation vocal competition

Mr. Brancy, originally from Mullica Hill NJ, has made New York City his home for the last eight years. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Juilliard School and has been studying with Edith Wiens for the past 5 years. “The performance I gave at the Jensen finals was definitely one of my strongest, most honest performances in a competition setting," said Mr. Brancy. "I was able to sing two of my favorite, comfortable arias and really felt connected to the characters and the moment. I am honored to be among the great singers who have won this prize in the past and look forward to the Emerging Artist Recital Series concert next season at Opera America.”

2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition Winners L-R: Rexford Tester, tenor (2nd Place); Ariana Wehr, soprano (3rd Place); Allegra de Vita, mezzo-soprano (Munday Encouragement Award); and John Brancy, baritone (1st place).

Other 2015 award winners were tenor Rexford Tester (Second Place - $10,000); Soprano Ariana Wehr (Third Place - $7,500); and Mezzo-Soprano Allegra de Vita (Munday Encouragement Award - $3,000). Additional finalists who performed in the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competiton were:

Rachel Arky | Mezzo-Soprano
J'nai Bridges | Mezzo-Soprano
Carolina Castells | Soprano
Lisa Chavez | Mezzo-Soprano
Katrina Galka | Soprano
Phoenix Gayles | Soprano
Geoffrey Hoos | Baritone
Samantha Malk | Mezzo-Soprano
Nathan Milholin | Bass-Baritone
Amanda Opuszynski | Soprano
Christopher Yoon | Tenor

These singers distinguished themselves from a field of 125 auditioners and 278 applicants. Judges for the 2015 Finals were Ken Benson, Peter Russell, and Diana Soviero. Judges for the Preliminary Rounds, held Monday-Thursday, were Jensen Foundation Trustees Jane Pardue, Ben Leaptrott, and Oliver Worthington.

About the 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, and including this year’s award winners, 99 singers have received more than $500,000 in support. To learn more, visit jensenfoundation.org.

Finalists Announced for the 2015 Jensen Competition

POSTED MAY 22, 2015 – NEW YORK, NY – After four days of preliminary auditions this week, finalists to the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition have been announced. They are:

Rachel Arky | Mezzo-Soprano
John Brancy | Baritone
J'nai Bridges | Mezzo-Soprano
Carolina Castells | Soprano
Lisa Chavez | Mezzo-Soprano
Allegra De Vita | Mezzo-Soprano
Katrina Galka | Soprano
Phoenix Gayles | Soprano
Geoffrey Hoos | Baritone
Samantha Malk | Mezzo-Soprano
Nathan Milholin | Bass-Baritone
Amanda Opuszynski | Soprano
Rexford Tester | Tenor
Ariana Wehr | Soprano
Christopher Yoon | Tenor

The Finals of the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition will be held Saturday, May 23rd at 11 AM 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 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. One hundred twenty-five singers were heard, and these fifteen finalists were selected. They will compete for more than $36,000 in prize winnings, including:

•    $3,000 for the Munday Encouragement Award winner
•    $7,500 for the Third Prize Winner
•    $10,000 for the Second Place Winner
•    $15,000 for the First Prize Winner, plus participation in OPERA America’s 2016 Emerging Artist Recital Series in NYC

The Jensen Foundation has assembled a distinguished roster of judges for the 2015 Finals Competition. 

• Ken Benson, CEO of Ken Benson Artists, and previously Vice-President of Columbia Artists Management. He is a Vocal Consultant at Juilliard, and he regularly gives classes and consultations at Yale, UCLA, Mannes, Manhattan School of Music, Boston Conservatory, DePaul, Roosevelt, and Indiana Universities.
• Peter Russell, General Director of Vocal Arts DC in Washington, DC. He previously served as General Director of Wolf Trap Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Peter is a frequent guest lecturer for Georgetown University’s Continuing Education Series.
• Diana Soviero is one of the most recognized American opera singers of the twentieth century, a compelling interpreter of the verismo repertoire. She now gives private lessons in her Manhattan Studio and Master Classes across the country. Diana has been awarded the Voice Education Research Award from The Voice Foundation, a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Giulio Gari Foundation and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Gerda Lissner Foundation.

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, and including this year’s award winners, 99 singers have received more than $500,000 in support. To learn more, visit jensenfoundation.org.

2015 Audition Details

If you have a confirmed audition date and time for the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, you already received this information in an email. But we post it here as well, just to keep it ever-accessible! Here are hopefully all the details any auditioner will need for the 2015 Competition:

What’s At Stake: The First Prize winner of the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal receives $15,000 and the opportunity to perform in OPERA America’s 2016 Emerging Artist Recital Series at The National Opera Center in New York, a live-streamed and recorded event. The Second Prize winner receives $10,000; Third Prize receives $7,500; an Encouragement Award winner receives $3,000 and automatic entry to the 2016 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. All other finalists receive $750.

Audition Location: The 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition auditions and Finals will be held in Engelman Recital Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), located at 55 Lexington Avenue in New York City.  Please enter through the 24th Street entrance, as the 25th Street entrance will be closed. For bus or subway directions, visit the BPAC website.

Your Arrival Time: Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled audition. Dressing rooms are available. A warm-up space with piano is available but not private. 

You Must Bring With You:  
1.    3 copies of your current resume
2.    1 copy of your headshot
3.    Photocopies of the sheet music for your 6 listed arias, placed in a three-ring binder. No loose music, no stapled music, and no plastic sleeves! 

Your Aria List:  The judges will have a printed score sheet with your arias listed.    

Contacting The Competition Director:  During the audition rounds, email is our primary mode of contact, so please add Competition Director Lisa Gray's email address to your non-spam list:  lisa@jensenfoundation.org. In case of emergencies the week of the competition, please call Lisa at 704-641-4691 or email her.  

Audition Tips:  The judges encourage careful thought to the use of the stage and the demonstration of your dramatic skills during your audition.  Business or semi-formal attire for both the preliminary audition and the Finals are recommended.  

Are You A Finalist?  Finalists will be chosen Thursday evening, May 21, after the last audition has been heard. If you are a finalist, you will receive a call before 10 PM that evening. Please make sure you are available to receive our call! We must confirm your performance time for the final round on Saturday, May 23.  You MUST BE AVAILABLE on Saturday, May 23 from 10 AM to 4 PM.   

If You Are Not A Finalist: On Friday, you will receive an email confirming the list of finalists and encouraging you to attend the Finals. This event is free and open to the public. The Finals performances begin on Saturday, May 23 at 11 AM and are typically complete by 2 PM.  While the judges deliberate, we will have a short program for all attendees entitled “Financial Planning Tips for Starving Artists.” The awards ceremony will begin at approximately 2:30 PM, after which the Finals Judges will be available for a Question-and-Answer panel. 

Cancelling Your Audition:  If you are unable to audition, please contact Competition Director Lisa Gray immediately by email at lisa@jensenfoundation.org or by phone at 704-641-4691.  

Toi Toi Toi to all our 2015 singers!

2015 Accompanists Announced

Singers who participate in the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition may bring their own accompanist or opt to use the professional accompanist provided free-of-charge by the Jensen Foundation. We are pleased to announce our acclaimed accompanists for the 2015 Competition: Joan Krueger and Dan Franklin Smith.

Joan Krueger serves on the faculty of Purchase College, teaching French and Italian diction and Operatic Styles. She is also on the faculty of Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance summer festival, the Westchester Summer Vocal Institute, and the Metropolitan International Music Festival. In addition to being in demand as a recital and competition pianist, Ms. Krueger maintains an active coaching studio in New York City. She received her M.M. from University of Michigan and her B.M. from Michigan State University. To learn more, visit her Purchase Opera bio. Ms. Krueger is scheduled to accompany Jensen singers on Monday, May 18; Tuesday, May 19; and Wednesday May 20.

Dan Franklin Smith is a vocal coach and collaborative pianist based in New York City. He serves as Music Director and recital soloist with the international festival, Elysium: Between Two Continents.  In addition to accompanying Jensen Foundation singers in May 2015, Mr. Smith has upcoming performances scheduled in Arizona, New Mexico, Berlin, Munich, Prague, and Stockholm. He graduated as a piano major from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. To learn more, visit his website. Mr. Smith is scheduled to accompany Jensen singers on Thursday, May 21 and on the Finals Day, Saturday, May 23.

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

POSTED January 20, 2015 – Charlotte, NC – The Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation is now accepting online applications for the 2015 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition to be held May 18-23, 2015 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City. Opera professionals who are 25-35 years of age can compete for their share of more than $36,000 in prize money.

“We’ve added an exciting new component to the first prize award this year,” explains Jane Pardue, Jensen Foundation President. “In addition to receiving the significant cash prize of $15,000, our First Prize winner will perform in OPERA America’s 2016 Emerging Artist Recital Series at The National Opera Center in New York. This live-streamed and recorded event is the perfect showcase for a promising young singer who deserves to be better known throughout the broad opera community.”

The Foundation expects 125 singers to audition for the chance to sing in the final competition on Saturday, May 23, 2015 and compete for these awards:

• First place - $15,000 + participation in OPERA America's Emerging Artist Recital Series in NYC
• Second place - $10,000
• Third place - $7,500
• Munday Encouragement Award - $3,000 and automatic entry into the 2016 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:

1. Will be 25-35 years of age on the first day of the 2015 competition, May 18;
2. Will have been a permanent legal resident of the United States for at least one year prior to May 18, 2015;
3. Can demonstrate the active pursuit of a career in opera;
4. Will not be a past or current recipient of a contract with an OPERA American Budget Level I company or its international equivalent.

Singers can learn more about the competition at the Jensen Foundation website and complete an online application at Yaptracker.com. The deadline for entry is Sunday, March 15, 2015.