Jensen Foundation Announces Virtual 2021 Competition

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UPDATED JANUARY 6, 2021 - The Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation is now accepting online applications from opera professionals 25-35 years of age for the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Singers can apply at Yaptracker.com to compete for their share of more than $40,000 in prize money. While the annual competition typically takes place in New York City, the 2021 Competition will be 100% virtual.

Instead of inviting singers to audition, the Foundation this year asks singers to submit aria video-recordings. From these submissions, judges will choose twelve finalists who will compete, again via video-recordings, 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 2022 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

  • People’s Choice - $500

“Our top priorities are keeping singers safe and supporting their work,” says Oliver Worthington, Jensen Foundation Board Chair. “A virtual competition will let us accomplish both of those goals this year. We love hearing singers in-person, of course, and we’ll move back to that format as soon as circumstances allow. But at this point, we know singers are producing audition videos for companies and other competitions. We will piggy-back on those efforts and, we hope, attract more singers than ever.”

The 2021 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 March 15, 2021;

  • must be between the ages of 25 and 35 as of March 15, 2021;

  • 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.

  • must submit a completed application online by the deadline of Sunday, March 14, 2021.

For more details about the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, visit our Competition 411 page.

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, 388 singers have received more than $747,000 in support.