Annapolis Opera's Eightteenth Vocal Competition

Annapolis Opera's Eightteenth Vocal Competition

Finalists and Awards


	Heyk Chae - Tenor Vocal Selections: "Addio, fiorito asil" from Madama Butterfly by Puccini, "Che gelida manina" from La Bohème by Puccini. Prize: Study Award - The Dr. Paul and Mrs. Herta Lagally Memorial Award ($800.00). In memory of Dr. Paul Lagally, Ph.D., the Lagally family established a prize in 1987 to promote the vocal arts in Annapolis. This was the foundation of the first Maryland Vocal Competition held in 1988. The present prize is awarded from an endowment left by Herta Lagally and administered by their son Ralph Lagally. Dr. Lagally was a research scientist at the Naval Ship Research and Development Center in Annapolis. His outstanding work has been recognized by a nyumber of awards and patents. His wife Herta Lagally was actively involved with the Annapolis Opera since its beginning and served in many capacities from costume mistress to board officer.
Catherine Choe - Mezzo-soprano Vocal Selections: "Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse" from Samson et Dalila by Saints-Saens, "Come, Sweet, come (Baba’s Song)" from The Rake’s Progress by Stravinsky. Prize: Study Award - The Todd Duncan and Samuel and Frieda Kahn Memorial Award ($550.00). Given in remembrance of Todd Duncan, in tribute to his performance in the role of George Gershwin's original Porgy in Porgy and Bess by Rose Thorman, a former student of his. Mr. Duncan broke new ground with the portrayal of this role and was distinguished for having won every award Broadway had to offer in Lost in the Stars. The award is also given in memory of Samuel and Frieda Kahn, who instilled an enduring love of opera in their daughter Thea Lindauer, former president of Annapolis Opera.
	Sequina DuBose - Soprano Vocal Selections: "Una voce poco fa" from Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini, "Steal Me, Sweet Thief" from The Old Maid and The Thief by Menotti. Prize: Study Award - The Severn Town Club and Caryl Curry Award ($500.00). The Severn Town Club is part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, which has chapters in forty countries and includes 300,000 members. The objectives are to promote the common interest, to develop its members and to promote the welfare of the community. The Severn Town Club gives back to the community through funds raised at the Holly Ball. Caryl Curry is a long time patron of Annapolis Opera and a former member of the Vocal Competition Committee.
Katherine Jolly - Coloratura Vocal Selections: "Grossmächtige Prinzessin" from Ariadne auf Naxos by R. Strauss, "Ah! non credea mirarti . . . Ah! non giunge" from La Sonnambula by Bellini. Prize: Second Prize - The William Boldyga and Betty S. Myers Incentive Award ($1,500.00). This award is given by Bill Boldyga and Betty Meters to encourage the development of operatic talent and the vocal arts in Annapolis.
	Eun-Hee Kim - Soprano Vocal Selections: "Tu che di gel sei cinta" from Turandot by Puccini, "Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir (The Jewel Song)" from Faust by Gounod. Prize: Grand Prize - The Grace Gelinas Clark Memorial Award ($1,800.00). Grace Clark moved with her husband and family to Annapolis, Maryland in 1940, when her husband began his 38-year career as a professor and coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. Mrs. Clark founded the Annapolis Civic Ballet Company and the Grace Clark School of the Dance. She taught thousands of students in the Annapolis area the Cecchetti Methord of Ballet. During her 40-year career as a ballet teacher and choreographer, Mrs. Clark brought great beauty and joy to the many audiences who attended the performances. Mrs. Clark studied with famed Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis as well as the Royal Academy of Ballet in London, England. This award is given by her daughter, Grace Victoria Clark Waidner, and her son, William Ellery Clark. Prize: The Director/Conductor Award ($500.00). Given by Braxton Peters, Annapolis Opera's Stage Director and Ronald Gretz, Annapolis Opera's Conductor and Musical Director. Both have served as judges for our Vocal Competition. Messrs. Peters and Gretz offer the award as an incentive to the Grand Prize winner to pursue an operatic career. Prize: Audience Choice Award ($300.00). This award is given by Anna Marie and Powell J. Musterman, former president of the Annapolis Opera, and her husband Powell J. Musterman, Jr. to honor the memory of her father, Antonio DiLeonardo, who enriched her life and spirit with the love of opera, which has nurtured her throughout her life. She states, "I feel him beside me whenever I listen to opera."
Jessica Medina - Mezzo-soprano Vocal Selections: "Cruda sorte! . . . già so per practica" from L’Italiana in Algeri by Rossini, "Ah, Michele, don’t you know" from The Saint of Bleecker Street by Menotti. Prize: Third Prize - The Lindley Incentive Award ($1,200.00). This award is given by Mark and Nancy Lindley in honor of their son, Dr. Karl Solibakke, whose dedication to the discipline and art of opera was seminal in his development as a scholar with a deep understanding of the intersection of the literary and musical arts. The donors wish to to encourage the recipient of the Lindley Incentive Award to grow both musically and personally.
	Penny Shumate - Soprano Vocal Selections: "Addio del passato" from La Traviata by Verdi, "Adele’s Audition Aria" from Die Fledermaus by R. Strauss. Prize: Study Award - The Links of Annapolis Award ($500.00). The Links of Annapolis, a professional women's organization, is divided into four programs: Services to Youth, International Trends, National Trends, and the Arts. The membership is made up of 9,600 professional women the world over.
Joseph Specter - Baritone Vocal Selections: "Mab, la reine des mensonges" from Roméo et Juliette by Gounod, "Avant de quitter ces lieux" from Faust by Gounod. Prize: Study Award - The Charles West Carty, George Hughes Carty and Tyler Duncan Hughes Award ($500.00). This award is given by George and Madeline Hughes in honor of their young grandsons Charles West Carty, George Hughes Carty and Tyler Duncan Hughes, to encourage their love of opera and the world of music.
	Scott Williamson - Tenor Vocal Selections: "Ya, lyublu vas" from Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky, "Salut, demeure chaste et pure" from Faust by Gounod. Prize: Study Award - The Clara Berenson and Richard Higgins Memorial Award ($600.00). This award is given in remembrance of Clara Berenson who studied voice, loved opera and was a loyal patron of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Her daughter and son-in-law, Adrienne Berenson Goldberg and Clarence Goldberg donate it. The award is also given in memory of Richard Higgins, a member of the Peabody Conservatory of Music for thirty years, a member of the Board of Directors of the Annapolis Opera, and an adjudicator for the Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition. The award is donated by his wife Pamela Higgins.