Soprano Tessa McQueen Wins 2026 Jensen Competition
Tessa McQueen, soprano
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — NEW YORK, NY – Today, the Jensen Foundation has awarded soprano Tessa McQueen the First Place grant award in the 26th annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Ms. McQueen performed “Vissi d’arte” from Puccini’s Tosca and “What happened in Auschwitz” from Two Remain by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. Ms. McQueen receives $15,000 as first-place grant winner. In addition, Ms. McQueen receives $5,000 as a co-winner of the Facing Forward grant award for the best performance of a 21st-century aria.
Ms. McQueen received her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Rice University, Shepherd School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University. Ms. McQueen is currently taking part in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program with The Metropolitan Opera and she performs the role of Floria Tosca this summer in Wolf Trap Opera’s production of Tosca. To learn more, visit Ms. McQueen’s website.
The Jensen Foundation extends its congratulations to its additional 2026 Jensen grant award winners: tenor Matthew Sink (Second Place grant winner - $10,000); mezzo-soprano Theo Claveles (Third Place grant winner - $7, 500); mezzo-soprano Lindsay Martin and baritone Finn Sagal (co-winners of the Munday Encouragement Grant - $3,000 each); and mezzo-soprano Kara Morgan, co-winner of the Facing Foward grant for the best performance of a 21st-century aria.
These seven outstanding artists also advanced to the Finals Round of the 2026 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Each receives a $750 grant award:
Véronique Filloux | Soprano
Symone Harcum | Soprano
Anna Kelly | Mezzo-Soprano
Celeste Morales | Soprano
Daniel Rich | Baritone
Jazmine Saunders | Soprano
Anna Thompson | Soprano
Finalists in the 2026 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition were accompanied by Jonathan Kelly.
2026 Jensen Finalists and Judges (L to R) - Celeste Morales, Finn Sagal, Kara Morgan, Theo Claveles, Matthew Sink, Judge Markus Beam, Tessa McQueen, Judge Kamala Sankaram, Judge Jayme Burzette, Symone Harcum, Véronique Filloux, Daniel Rich, Jazmine Saunders, Anna Kelly, Lindsay Martin, Anna Thompson.
Our 2026 Judges
The Jensen Foundation gratefully acknowledges the work of its panel of esteemed Finals Judges: Markus Beam, General Manager of San Francisco Opera Center; Jayme Burzette, Managing Director of Muse Artists International; and Dr. Kamala Sankaram, a member of the composition faculty at the Mannes College of Music and Artist-in-Residence with Minnesota Opera. Read more about our Finals Judges.
About the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation
The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, a Donor-Advised Fund of Foundation For The Carolinas, was established by Lavinia Jensen in honor of her late husband, Fritz. Their lifelong love for the arts has benefited many musicians and musical organizations. The Foundation continues their philanthropic passion for the musical arts by supporting young artists pursuing a career in opera. The centerpiece of The Jensen Foundation’s work is the annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Since the Competition’s inception in 2000, 475 singers have received more than $1 million in support.
