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Meet our 2024 Finals Judges
The 2024 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition Finals will be judged by this slate of opera professionals. Our Finals Judges have graciously agreed to offer feedback to all finalists who wish to stay after the competition on Saturday, May 25, 2024. We are grateful to Maestro Capocaccia, Ms. Gandhi, and Ms. Lippiello for the expertise and encouragement they offer our 2024 singers.
UPDATED May 7, 2024 — The 2024 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition Finals will be judged by this slate of opera professionals. Our Finals Judges have graciously agreed to offer feedback to all finalists who wish to stay after the competition on Saturday, May 25, 2024. We are grateful to Maestro Capocaccia, Ms. Gandhi, and Ms. Lippiello for the expertise and encouragement they offer our 2024 singers.
Christian Capocaccia is Artistic and Music Director of both Syracuse Opera and Tri-Cities Opera. As a guest conductor he has appeared in the United States and in Europe leading the Orchestra di Roma e del Lazio, Moscow Ballet Orchestra, and Orchestra Sinfonica Città di Grosseto, among others. He has held positions as Assistant Conductor of the Dallas Opera, Resident Conductor of the Fischer Center at Bard College, Assistant Conductor of the Indiana University Opera and IU New Music Ensemble. He is a former Aspen Music Festival Conducting Fellow, where he studied with David Zinman and Murry Sidlin. Born in Rome, he attended the Santa Cecilia Music Conservatory and is a graduate of Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington where he studied under David Effron. Visit Maestro Capocaccia’s website to learn more.
Priti Gandhi is a leader in opera administration, innovative casting, and a passionate artist advocate in the field. She recently joined the artistic department of the Metropolitan Opera as Associate Director of the Laffont. After a long international opera career that included performances with companies like Seattle Opera, Théâtre du Châtelet, UNAM in Mexico City, the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, she transitioned into artistic administration with San Diego Opera, Minnesota Opera, and Portland Opera. She is a sought-after audition master class instructor and guest lecturer with schools like the New England Conservatory, Mannes School of Music, and the University of California at San Diego. Learn more about the Laffont Competition.
Cory Lippiello, CSA is the Director of Artistic Programs at Lyric Opera of Chicago, where she prepares principal artist casting for Lyric's mainstage operas, musicals, and outreach programming. In addition, she produces Lyric's filmed projects for digital streaming, most notably the film of Pagliacci (2021), for which she received an Emmy Award. Ms. Lippiello has held significant positions with New York City Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, The Atlanta Opera, the New York Philharmonic, IMG Artists, OPERA America, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. She is a highly sought-after speaker on the topics of artistic planning and casting, and she has been honored to serve multiple times as an adjudicator for the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition and as a grant review panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. Ms. Lippiello is a graduate of Vassar College and recently became the first casting director from the opera world to become a member of the Casting Society of America. Learn more about Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Meet our 2024 Jensen Accompanists
The Jensen offers singers the option to perform with professional accompanists we make available at no charge. Once again this year, we are privileged to welcome back two of New York’s finest collaborators!
When the Jensen Competition grants auditions, we offer singers the option to perform with professional accompanists we make available at no charge. Once again this year, we are privileged to welcome back two of New York’s finest collaborators!
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. Dan will accompany singers scheduled to audition Monday-Wednesday, May 20-22.
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 Placido Domingo, Renée Fleming, 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. Jonathan will accompany singers scheduled to audition on Thursday, May 23, and singers who perform in the Finals Round on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
More About the 2024 Jensen Competition
Meet our 2024 Preliminary Judges
The 2024 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition is pleased to welcome once again these esteemed music professionals as Preliminary Judges, hearing our auditioners May 20-23, 2024.
Kirsten Chambers, soprano, has sung the title role of Salome at the Metropolitan Opera, Opera Hong Kong, and Florida Grand Opera. Her Carnegie Hall debut was Maria in Richard Strauss’ Friedenstag with the American Symphony Orchestra. She first joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera as a cover of Isolde in Tristan und Isolde and rejoined the Metropolitan Opera roster in the 2016-17 season for Die Walküre and to cover Marie in Wozzeck in 2019-20. Abroad, she has sung Elsa in Lohengrin with the Savonlinna Opera Festival, Opéra de Rennes, and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Favorite engagements include Erwartung with The Orchestra Now, Strauss’ Die Ägyptische Helena with Odyssey Opera, and as the Angel in Angels in America for New York City Opera. Ms. Chambers earned degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University and the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Visit her website to learn more.
R. Benjamin “Ben” Leaptrott, Jr. is assistant professor of music with a specialty in collaborative arts at Brenau University and also an Artist in Residence at Brenau with The Leaptrott Trio. He is an active recitalist, vocal coach, and accompanist, serving as accompanist for the district and regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from East Carolina University, a Masters of Music Degree from Eastman School of Music, and a Solo Diploma from Sweelinck Academy at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Mr. Leaptrott is Vice President of the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, a component fund of Foundation For The Carolinas.
Oliver Worthington, baritone, is an Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of the Voice Area at Butler University. He also serves as the producing director of Butler Opera Theater. He has recently been featured on recordings of Lord, How Come We Here? and Joys Abiding on Parma Recordings. He performs extensively as an opera singer, oratorio soloist, and recitalist, appearing regionally with Indianapolis Opera, South Texas Lyric Opera, San Antonio Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Hill Country Lyric, Austin Opera and Lone Star Lyric in diverse rolesn- from Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus to Mamma Agatha in Viva la Mamma. Dr. Worthington maintains a full schedule as an educator and performer, and he serves as the President of The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, a component fund of Foundation For The Carolinas.
More About the 2024 Jensen Competition
Lawrence Basara Kiharangwa Wins 2023 Jensen Competition
MAY 13, 2023 – NEW YORK, NY – Today, the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation has awarded tenor Lawrence Basara Kiharangwa First Place in the 23rd annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. For his arias, Mr. Kiharangwa performed “Se all'impero amici Dei” from Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito and “Salut! Demeure chaste et pure” from Faust by Gounod. Mr. Kiharangwa receives $15,000 as first-place grant winner.
Of the win, Mr. Kiharangwa said, “Every opportunity is a stepping stone to Greatness. When you Manifest it within yourself and allow yourself to show vulnerability, people will reciprocate. This prize money will facilitate my audition traveling expenses and support voice lessons and coaching that refine my artistry.”
Mr. Kiharangwa earned his Master of Music degree in Opera Performance at Maryland Opera Studio and his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Oregon. This summer, he joins the Santa Fe Opera as an apprentice and in the 2023/2024 season, joins Pensacola Opera as a studio artist. Learn more about Mr. Kiharangwa on his website.
The Jensen Foundation extends its congratulations to its additional 2023 Jensen award winners: mezzo-soprano Cloe SanAntonio (Second Place Grant Award Winner - $10,000), mezzo-soprano Edith Grossman (Third Place Grant Award Winner - $7,500), and tenor Ryan Lustgarten (Munday Encouragement Grant Award Winner - $3,000).
These artists also advanced to the Finals Round of the 2023 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, and the Foundation commends their stirring performances:
2023 Jensen Finalists - Kneeling: ryan lustgarten, lawrence basara kiharangwa. Standing l-r: shanley horvitz, emily blair, taylor-alexis dupont, oznur tuluoglu, edith grossman, cloe sanantonio, veronique filloux, chelsea laggan, benjamin dickerson, lisa marie rogali, jason zacher
Our 2023 Judges
The Jensen Foundation gratefully acknowledges the tireless work of its Preliminary Judges (soprano Kirsten Chambers, Ben Leaptrott, Jr. of Brenau University, and Oliver Worthington of Butler University), as well as its Finals Judges: soprano Nicole Cabell, Roberto Mauro of Canadian Opera Company, and Brian Speck of Houston Grand Opera.
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, 434 singers have received more than $886,700 in support.
And the 2023 Jensen Finalists are...
POSTED May 11, 2023 – NEW YORK, NY – After four days of preliminary auditions this week, finalists to the 2023 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition have been announced. They are:
Katherine Beck, mezzo-soprano
Ben Brady, bass-baritone
Benjamin Dickerson, baritone
Meryl Dominguez, soprano
Véronique Filloux, soprano
Keely Futterer, soprano
Trevor Haumschilt-Rocha, baritone
Magdalena Kuźma, soprano
Brittany Logan, soprano
Midori Marsh, soprano
Daniel Moody, countertenor
Esther Tonea, soprano
These thirteen singers compete for more than $40,000 in grant awards this Saturday, May 13th at 1 PM at Engelman Recital Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City. The singers will be judged by a distinguished panel of opera professionals:
Nicole Cabell, Soprano
Roberto Mauro, Artistic Director, Canadian Opera Company
Brian Speck, Director, Sarah and Ernest Butler HGO Studio, Houston Grand Opera
Read more about our 2023 Finals Judges.
More than 280 singers applied to participate in the 2023 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. One hundred two singers were heard, and these thirteen finalists were selected. They compete for:
$15,000, First Place Grant Award
$10,000, Second Place Grant Award
$7,500, Third Place Grant Award
$3,000, Munday Encouragement Grant Award
Each non-award-winning finalist receives a grant of $750.
The Jensen Foundation thanks its judges for the preliminary rounds of the 2023 Competition: Ms. Kirsten Chambers, soprano; Mr. Ben Leaptrott of Brenau University; and Mr. Oliver Worthington of Butler University, as well as accompanists Jonathan Kelly and Dan Franklin Smith.
The Finals of the 2023 Jensen Competition are free and open to the public. Join us on Saturday, May 13 at 1 PM at Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue.