Semifinalists For The James Toland Vocal Arts Competition Revealed

James Toland Vocal Arts, Inc. announced today the semifinalists for its prestigious JTVA Vocal Competition. As a not-for-profit corporation, JTVA supports gifted, emerging singers by providing exposure to expert judging, master classes, performance opportunities before live audiences, and monetary awards.

This year's 60 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of 238 applicants from 34 states and 26 countries, the largest in the competition's six-year history.

"Many highly-talented and remarkable singers have begun their careers at JTVA," said James Toland, founder and general director. "We are delighted to have so many singers apply for this 6th JTVA Vocal Competition weekend and yet we're daunted at the challenge of selecting only fourteen finalists from among this impressive group of excellent singers."

The 2019 JTVA finalists will be announced at the annual event, The Finalists Revealed on Sunday afternoon, April 28 at 4 pm at the Piedmont Piano Company in downtown Oakland. The event will also feature a vocal performance by baritone Thomas West.

In addition to vying for $100,000 in prize money and the chance to perform with the Oakland Symphony, one competitor will also be selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to sing in Provence, France.

JTVA semifinalists are selected based on their level of singing ability, vocal experience, and readiness to begin a professional career.

A list of this year's JTVA Semifinalists is below:

Tier I

Alexandra Nowakowski Alexandra Urquiola Allan Palacios Andres Acosta Andrew Manea Angela Jihee Kim Antonina Chehovska Brandon Russell Brian Michael Moore Briana Moynihan Camille Sherman Chelsea Melamed Christopher Dunham Courtney Jameson Esther Tonea Felicia Moore Kara Dugan Lauren Michelle Maria Natale Mario Rojas Mariya Kaganskaya Mary Evelyn Hangley Meagan Martin Megan Moore Megan Samarin Reginald Smith Jr Tamra Grace Jones Ted Pickell Timothy Renner

Tier II

Anastasia Malliaras Cara Gabrielson David Catalano Elana Bell Ellen Leslie Emily Rosenberg Erin Alford Gyu Yeon Shim Hugh Davis Jason Zacher Juliet Schlefer Justin Ramm-Damron Kaarin Phelps LaMarcus Miller Laura Sanders Lindsay Reynolds Madeline Lew Margaret Ann Zentner Matthew Shorten Monica Music Morgan Balfour Nicolette Mavroleon Sebastian Haboczki Taylor Haines Thomas Drew Thomas West Vivian Yau Yunji Shim