The Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition Applicants Are Announced

In its 13th year, the Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition provides an opportunity for West Michigan's finest budding vocal artists to compete in a professionally-judged competition for cash prizes.

THE APPLICANTS
The 2016 competition includes 24 applicants.

Division I Rosie Cusack GVSU, mezzo soprano | Jana Dykhuis Calvin, soprano Hannah Earl WMU, soprano | Alexandra Galla WMU, mezzo soprano Hayley Girard WMU, soprano | Christopher Knapp WMU, baritone Ashley Meyers Calvin, soprano | Gabrielle Oliva WMU, soprano Kristina Papas GVSU, soprano | Graham Smith GVSU, baritone Hannah Tripp GVSU, soprano | Grace VanHoven GRCC, soprano Hannah Vinande WMU, mezzo soprano | Alex Williams GVSU, tenor
Division II Mikayla Berghorst GVSU, soprano | Kortnee Brooks GVSU, mezzo soprano SaraBeth Brown WMU, mezzo soprano | Jared Montgomery WMU, baritone Olivia Motzer GVSU, soprano | Travis Ratliff WMU, bass | Kalina Reese Calvin, soprano | Bri Rigozzi WMU, soprano | Natalie Saigh WMU, mezzo soprano | Katherine Short WMU, mezzo soprano

FINAL ROUND CONCERT November 20 | 7:30 PM | Betty Van Andel Opera Center Free and open to the public. Seating is limited and provided on a first-come basis at the door.

MEET THE JUDGES
The final round concert will feature three prominent Michigan-based judges.

Dr. Libor Ondras is a viola recitalist, conductor and educator. He began his studies as a recipient of the Slovak Ministry of Culture fellowship to study viola at the famous Moscow Conservatory with Yuri Bashmet. To further his career and experience, Dr. Ondras continued his studies at the Academy of Music Arts in Prague, and completed his M.M and D.M.A. degrees at the University of Houston.

Hailed by critics as a "rarity" and "a genuine contralto," Meredith Arwady continues to delight audiences in the United States and abroad with rich vocal intensity and captivating stage presence. Born in Michigan, Ms. Arwady received a Master of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied voice with Marlena Kleinman Malas.

Dr. Richard Fracker is professor of voice (tenor) and area chair of vocal arts at the Michigan State University College of Music. Prior to joining the MSU faculty in September 2004, he performed regularly in opera houses and concert halls throughout the world, including 10 seasons and more than 160 performances at the New York Metropolitan Opera.

COLLEGIATE VOCAL COMPETITION COMMITTEE

William Bokhout, Grand Rapids Community College
Jung Woo Kim, Hope College
Barbara McCargar, Aquinas College
Ken Prewitt, Western Michigan University
Charsie Sawyer, Calvin College
Dale Schriemer, Grand Valley State University

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