HGO Awards 1st Place to D'Ana Lombard in the 26th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has announced the winners for the 26th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers that took place the evening of January 30 at the Wortham Theater Center's Cullen Theater in front of a capacity crowd.

1st Place prize of $10,000 was awarded to soprano D'Ana Lombard.

2nd Place prize of $5,000 was won by soprano Amanda Woodbury.

3rd Place prize of $3,000 went to mezzo-soprano Sofia Selowsky.

Audience Choice Award of $1,000 was given to soprano Amanda Woodbury.

Winners of the Concert of Arias, one of the most prestigious singing competitions in the United States, were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges that included HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers and HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech. Former HGO General Director David Gockley, a co-founder of the HGO Studio who is now general director of San Francisco Opera, served as guest judge. Accompanied by HGO Associate Music Director Eric Melear, eight finalists participated in the competition.

"We are proud that the competition, now in its twenty-sixth year, continues to grow in popularity and in the quality of talent it attracts," said Perryn Leech. "The post-concert celebration dinner has been completely sold out for the past several years. This success is due to the competition's reputation as a thrilling artistic event and the support of so many people who love to see these young artists."

Concert of Arias event supporters raised over $750,000. Proceeds benefit HGO and Houston Grand Opera Studio's efforts to identify, attract, and nurture young artists who have the potential for major careers in opera. Among past prize-winners who are now enjoying important careers are Jamie Barton, Stephanie Blythe, Joyce DiDonato, Ana María Martínez, and Ryan McKinny.

Chaired by HGO board member Bobbie-Vee Cooney and her husband Jerry Cooney, the Concert of Arias began with a champagne reception provided by underwriter Jerry and Laura Lasco of Lasco Enterprises before 900 guests entered the Cullen Theater to enjoy the competition. As the judges made their decisions, current HGO Studio members performed for the audience and attendees cast their votes for the Audience Choice Award. Following the concert, more than 625 artists, patrons, and underwriters were seated for the sold-out dinner in the Grand Foyer catered by Jackson and Company to celebrate the evening's honorees, Dian and Harlan Stai, for their many years of generous support of HGO and the Studio. The evening's wine selection was graciously provided by Chris and Kristine Williams of Wattle Creek Winery.

Thursday's concert was the final event in a months-long process that began when 520 singers and 25 pianists applied to compete. Auditions were conducted in San Francisco, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, and Houston. After careful consideration, fourteen singers were chosen to compete in the final round of the prestigious competition, from which eight finalists were selected to perform in the Concert of Arias. In the days leading up to the event, each finalist had the opportunity to learn more about HGO and work closely with HGO musical staff to refine their performances.

Since its inception more than thirty-five years ago, the HGO Studio has grown to be one of the most respected young artist programs in the country. Each of the young artists in the HGO Studio has access to a learning environment that emphasizes practical experience within the professional opera world. This includes coaching sessions with industry professionals, small supporting and/or study roles in HGO main-stage productions, and a variety of concert engagements.

The evening's guests included chairs Bobbie-Vee and Jerry Cooney, honorees Dian and Harlan Stai, Anne Mendelsohn and HGO Board Chair Dr. John Mendelsohn, Judith and Richard Agee, Jana and J. Scott Arnoldy, Denise and Philip Bahr, Pat Breen, Donna and Robert Bruni, Donna Josey Chapman, Marianne and David Duthu, Nina and Edd Hendee, Elizabeth and Richard Husseini, Janet Kelly and John Carrig, Caroline Leech and HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech, Richard Lydecker and Donna Kaplan, Beth Madison and Ralph Burch, Frances Marzio, Brucie and Andy Moore, Cynthia Petrello, Glen Rosenbaum, Susan and Dr. C. Richard Stasney, HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers and Beau Miller, John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer, Birgitt Van Wijk, Marcia and Alfredo Vilas, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel, and Roger and Sherrill Winter. The awards were presented by Houston Methodist, the official health care provider for Houston Grand Opera.

1st place $10,000

D'ANA LOMBARD

Soprano-United States

D'Ana Lombard of Garden City South, New York, is in her second year of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program at Los Angeles Opera. She earned her master's degree at Mannes College. Previous performances include Iris in Lee Hoiby's The Tempest, The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, the title role in Suor Angelica, Lady Billows in scenes from Albert Herring, the title role in scenes from Susannah, and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni conducted by Joseph Colaneri. She made her Los Angeles Opera debut as Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. With the Colburn School in L.A., she performed the Female Chorus in The Rape of Lucretia under James Conlon and was conducted by Plácido Domingo at a gala in his honor. With Los Angeles Opera, her upcoming assignments include studying/covering the roles of Alice in Falstaff and the title role of Thaïs, and singing Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor conducted by James Conlon.Awards include the Metropolitan Opera National Council Rohatyn Great Promise Award, the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Encouragement Award, the Gerda Lissner Foundation Encouragement Award, and the Marcello Giordani Foundation Award in memory of Sergio Franchi.

2nd place $5,000

Audience Choice award $1,000

AMANDA WOODBURY

Soprano-United States

Amanda Woodbury is a member of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program at Los Angeles Opera, where she made her company debut this season as Micaela in Carmen and subsequently appeared as Papagena in The Magic Flute.This summer she will join San Francisco Opera's Merola Program to sing Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. In 2013, she performed Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi at the Aspen Music Festival. Her awards and recognition include first place in the western region of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in October, second place in the Dallas Opera Vocal Competition, and second place in the mid-south region of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She recently completed her master's degree in vocal performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where her roles have included Donna Anna in Don Giovanni and Madame Lidoine in Dialogues of the Carmelites. She also performed the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro with the CCM Summer Program. In 2010, she was a studio artist with Opera North, where she performed scenes from Rossini's Cinderella and Puccini's Edgar.

3rd place $3,000

SOFIA SELOWSKY

Mezzo-soprano-United States

Maryland native Sofia Selowsky is currently pursuing her master's degree in voice at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and most recently appeared as a Young Artist at the Glimmerglass Festival. In 2013-14, she will perform Lazuli in L'étoile (CCM Opera) and will join Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as a member of the Gerdine Young Artist Program, performing the role of Mère Jeanne in Dialogues of the Carmelites and covering the role of Second Lady in The Magic Flute. Previous roles include Véronique in Bizet's Le docteur Miracle (CCM Opera); Baba the Turk in The Rake's Progress, Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, and Florence Pike in Albert Herring (all at Harvard University, where she earned her bachelor's degree); and Cecilia March in the European premiere of Mark Adamo's Little Women(Intermezzo Foundation). She is a national semifinalist in the 2014 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Other recognition includes the Italo Tajo Memorial Award in the CCM Opera Scholarship Competition (2013), as well as an Emerging Talent Award from the Kurt Weill Foundation's Lotte Lenya Competition. Previous awards and honors include the Emile Dieterle Scholarship (CCM) and an Artist Development Fellowship from Harvard University.

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