Photo Flash: Opera Grand Rapids Hosts 13th Annual Collegiate Vocal Competition

Opera Grand Rapids' 13th annual Collegiate Vocal Competition held this past weekend included winners from Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University and Grand Rapids Community College. The competition, which provides West Michigan's finest budding vocal artists the opportunity to compete in a professionally-judged competition for cash prizes, received 26 applicants, named eight finalists and selected five winners. Scroll down for photos from the competition!

Open to student vocalists being trained full-time at West Michigan area colleges and universities, the competition is split in two divisions by student seniority and ends with an open-to-the-public concert featuring the winners of Division II and the finalists from Division I.

Kristina Papas, a senior and soprano from Grand Valley State University, took home the Division I first prize award. Last year, Papas was the Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition Division I third prize winner.

Alexandra Galla, mezzo-soprano from Western Michigan University, and Grace VanHoven, soprano from Grand Rapids Community College, won second and third prizes in Division I, respectively. Opera Grand Rapids named two winners in its Division II-Natalie Saigh, mezzo-soprano, and Jared Montgomery, baritone, of Western Michigan University.

The results of the competition were determined by three prominent Michigan-based judges, Contralto Meredith Arwady, Professor of Voice and Chair of Vocal Arts at Michigan State University, Dr. Richard Fracker, and Director of Orchestras, String Specialist and Assistant Professor at Grand Rapids Community College, Dr. Libor Ondras.

Remaining finalists in the competition included Hannah Earl, soprano, and Gabrielle Oliva, soprano, of Western Michigan University and Hannah Tripp, soprano of Grand Valley State University.

Opera Grand Rapids General Director Anne Berquist believes that the Vocal Competition is one of the best educational experiences that the organization offers.

"This is a great opportunity for young artists to gain experience in performing, and to receive feedback from a panel of professionals who can pass along the wisdom they have accumulated through their years of experience," Berquist said.

The Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition is known for being a stepping stone for its winners. Previous winners, such as 2008 Division I winner Christine Amon, have since built successful careers in opera.

"I was a junior at Grand Valley State University when my professor said I should give the competition a shot," Amon said. "At that point, I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to make opera my career. Winning the competition gave me the confidence to pursue it."

Last season, Amon performed the role of Gretchen in the Opera Grand Rapids production of "The Student Prince." She looks forward to her performance as Erika in Samuel Barber's "Vanessa" with Toldeo Opera this season.

To learn more about Opera Grand Rapids' annual Collegiate Vocal Competition, visit operagr.org/vocal-competition.

Located in the heart of West Michigan, Opera Grand Rapids is the state's longest-running professional opera Production Company. Through the creativity and excellence of this timeless art form, Opera Grand Rapids enriches the West Michigan community and provides unique and powerful experiences that move people of all ages and backgrounds. Opera Grand Rapids' productions are produced and presented locally in West Michigan. For the productions, Opera Grand Rapids engages a cast of internationally acclaimed artists, stage directors, conductors, choreographers, set designers, costume designers, and others, in addition to the regional Grand Rapids Symphony, and Opera Grand Rapids Chorus and Children's Chorus.

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