Congratulations to all the finalists who performed at the national conference in Savannah, GA, January 2025!

Winners of the 2025 COSC in Savannah, January 2025

Opera Division I:
1st place: Prairie View A&M University (Treemonisha)
2nd place: Cal State Fullerton (Così fan tutte)

Musical Theatre:
1st Place: Prairie View A&M (The Color Purple)
2nd Place: Samford University (The Light in the Piazza)

Opera Division II:
1st Place: University of Oklahoma (The Merry Widow)
2nd Place: University of Maryland(Il barbiere di Siviglia)

Read the full program with all the finalists! 

Congratulations to all the finalists who performed at the national conference in Tempe, AZ, January 2024!

Winners of the 2024 COSC in Tempe, January 2024

Opera Division I:
1st place: Prairie View A&M University (Porgy and Bess)
2nd place: West Texas A&M (Postcard from Morocco)

Musical Theatre:
1st Place: Prairie View A&M (Funny Girl)
2nd Place: Arizona State University (Little Women)

Opera Division II:
1st Place: Louisiana State University (Magic Flute)
2nd Place: UNLV (Turn of the Screw)

Read the full program with all the finalists! 

Congratulations to all the finalists who performed at the national conference in Houston, January 2023!

Division I:

1st place: 

Pepperdine University – Malibu, California 

Susannah, Act II, scene iii         Carlisle Floyd

 Susannah:  Brittany Weinstock        Olin Blitch: Luke Oldroyd

 Stage and Music Director: Keith Colclough           Principal coach and pianist: David Wilkinson

2nd place:

Friends University – Wichita, Kansas

The Old Maid and the Thief, Scenes ix and x              Gian Carlo Menotti

Miss Todd: Hannah Howard           Laetitia: Naomi Cavanaugh

 Stage Director: Ashley Winters          Music Director: Matthew Schloneger            

Costumer: Emily Baldridge

Pianist: J. Bradley Baker

Musical Theatre

1st place:

Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Texas

Alice by Heart, Act I, scene ii              Duncan Sheik

Alfred/the White Rabbit: David Postlewate

Shelter Inhabitant/ Storybook Characters: Samara Shavrick, Savannah Rhodes,
Becca Worthington, Mary Lantz, Sierra Roberson, Emma Tedder, Thomas Schnaible, Breckin Murphy

Stage Director: David Postlewate       Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Mary Lantz

Choreographer: Savannah Rhodes                Stage Manager: Samara Shavrick

Pianist: Sebastian Archibald

2nd place: 

Prairie View A&M University – Prairie View, Texas

 The Most Happy Fella Act I, scene ii               Frank Loesser

Herman #1 & Clem: Jamez Bedford               Herman #2: Davion Burnley              
Al: Rylan LuskJake: Ki’Jon Robinson

Ensemble: Shamahl Stewart, Benjamin Calip, Danielle Law, Emily Garcia, 
Jocelyn Dorsey, A’Deja Evans, Taylor Harris, Maia Dabney, Alayna Green

Stage Director: Jammieca D. Mott                 Music Director: John Cornelius II

Student Director: Jocelyn Dorsey       Student Choreographer: Ki’Jon Robinson

Pianist: Marshall Davies

Division II

1st place: 

Baylor University – Waco, Texas

 The Tender Land, Act I finale, “The Promise of Living”            Aaron Copland 

Martin: Micah Perry               Laurie: Natalia Leslie

Ma Moss: Caroline Lee           Top: Pablo Aun           Grandpa Moss: Troy McDonald

Ensemble: Kate Bishop, Leah Boyd, McKenzie Comeaux, Ellie McBride, Emily Pace, Mikaela Pace,
Emily Perry, Davian Raggio, Alan Saldaña-Silva, Evan Welliver, Riley Winterton

Stage Director: Jen Stephenson                Music Director:  Jeffrey Peterson

Pianist: J. Bradley Baker

2nd place:

Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Lucia di Lammermoor, Act II, scene I (abridged)       Gaetano Donizetti

Lucia: Karli Forte                     Enrico: Scott Purcell

Stage Director: Dugg McDonough     Music Director and Pianist: Michael Borowitz

Congratulations to all the finalists who performed at the national conference in St. Augustine, FL, January 2022!

Division I:

1st place: 

Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, Texas

The Merry Wives of Windsor , Act I, no. 1 - duet Otto Nicolai

Mistress Ford: Victoria Tonsfeldt Mistress Page: Mariah Graves

Stage Director: Rebecca L. Renfro Music Director and Pianist: Saule Garcia

2nd place:

Missouri State University – Springfield, Missouri

HMS Pinafore Gilbert & Sullivan

Ralph: Baily Freeman Josephine: Emma Gulovsen

Stage Director: Susan Brummel Belcher Music Director: Ann Marie Wilcox-Daehn

Pianist: Robin Jensen

Musical Theatre

1st place:

Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Texas

Waitress, Act I, Scene i Sara Bareilles

Sydney Dotson, Gillian Melcer, Joryhebel Giuolio, Abigail Boyce,
Andrew Delaganza, Trey Babineaux, Lucas Sanders

Stage and Music Director: Casey Joiner Choreographer: Kyla Olson

Pianist: Robin Jensen

2nd place: 

University of Delaware – Newark, Delaware

Groundhog Day, Act I, “Stuck” Tim Minchin

Phil: John Murphy Healer: Shaun Gibbons Naturopath: Caitlin Caulfield
Pharmacologist: Justin Witwick Scientologist: Alena Carhart
AA sponsor: Giovani Malcolm Preacher: Garrett Thomas

Stage and Music Director: D. Blake Smith Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Jules Leddy

Pianist: Rebecca Wilt

Division II

1st place: 

Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Così fan tutte, Act I, Scene vi, Sestetto (abridged) W. A. Mozart

Fiordiligi: Jenna Grissom Dorabella: Berenice Carrera Despina: Karli Forte
Ferrando: Kyle Melton Guglielmo: Nathaniel Malkow Don Alfonso: David R. Baker II

Stage Director: Dugg McDonough Costumer: Glenn Avery Breed
Musical Director and Pianist: Michael Borowitz

2nd place:

Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, Texas

L’Elisir d’amore , Act I, scene vii Gaetano Donizetti

Adina: Amanda Ronquillo Nemorino: Piero Regis

Stage Director: Rebecca L. Renfro Music Director and Pianist: Saule Garcia

Congratulations to all the finalists who performed virtually in our competition in January 2021!

Competition Program Booklet (PDF)

Opera Division I:

1st place: 

DePauw University – Greencastle, Indiana

The Ballad of Baby Doe, Act I, Scene ii      Douglas Moore

Elizabeth “Baby” Doe: Amalia Crevani         Horace Tabor: Bryce Taylor

Stage and Musical Director: Kerry Jennings                  Pianist:  Amanda Hopson, Laura Brumbaugh

2nd place:

Kennesaw State University – Kennesaw, Georgia

Semele, Act II, scene i                     G. F. Handel

Juno: Lauryn Davis                Iris: Molly Jennings

Stage/Musical Director and Costumer: Eileen Moremen                        Pianist: Judith Cole

Opera Division II

1st place: 

Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Turn of the Screw, Act I, Scene v “The Window” (abridged)    Benjamin Britten

The Governess: Eunchong Kang Mrs. Grose: Sarah Antell

Stage Director: Dugg McDonough             Musical Director: Michael Borowitz         

Pianist: Kristin Scioneaux

2nd place:

Columbus State University – Columbus, Georgia

Die Fledermaus, Act II, Watch Duet                           Johann Strauss II

Gabriel von Eisenstein: Thai Johnson       Rosalinde: Yunona Tabala

Stage and Music Director: Joshua May    Pianist: Rachel Zimmerman

Musical Theatre

1st place:

Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Texas

Songs for a New World, Act I, Scene i                       Jason Robert Brown

Woman One: Malāna Wilson                       Woman Two: Cara Ellison

Man One: Daniel DiPinto              Man Two: Luke Weber

Stage Director: Shayna Tayloe                   Music Director: Casey Joiner

Pianist: Appcompanist

2nd place: 

Samford University – Birmingham, Alabama

Into the Woods, Act I Opening, Part 4 “Witch’s Rap”                         Stephen Sondheim

Baker: Blake Mitchell                      Baker’s Wife: Anna Medley

Witch: Lydia Yates                  Narrator: Lilly Burchfield      

Stage and Music Director: Kristin Kenning                   Pianist: Nicholas Robertson  

Costumer: Mary Gurney

Congratulations to all the finalists who performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, January 2020!

Division I:

1st place: 

Lawrence University, Conservatory of Music – Appleton, Wisconsin 
I Pagliacci, Nedda/Silvio Duet Ruggiero Leoncavallo 
Nedda: Emily Richter    Silvio: Nicholas Fahrenkrug 
Stage Director: Copeland Woodruff    Music Director: Andrew Crooks 
Pianist: Kristin Roach

2nd place:

DePauw University – Greencastle, Indiana 
Der Rosenkavalier, Act II,“The Presentation of the Rose“ Richard Strauss 
Octavian: Connor Locke    Sophie: Amalia Crevani 
Stage Director: Kerry Jennings    Music Directors: Kerry Jennings/Laura Brumbaugh 
Pianist: Laura Brumbaugh 

Musical Theatre

1st place:

Samford University – Birmingham, Alabama 
Into the Woods, Act II, Scene 22 and 22A Stephen Sondheim 
Jack: Grayson Johns    Witch: Lydia Yate    Little Red: Madison Hablas 
Baker: Blake Mitchell    Cinderella: Savannah Bracewell 
Stage and Music Director: Kristin Kenning    Costumes: Mary Gurney 
Pianist: Nicholas Robertson

2nd place: 

Texas Tech University – Lubbock, Texas 
Falsettos, Act II, Scene William Finn 
Whizzer: Daniel DiPinto    Marvin: Luke Weber    Trina: Malāna Wilson 
Mendel: Elliot Esquivel    Jason: Molly Glueck    Cordelia: Cara Ellison 
Stage and Musical Director: Casey Joiner   Consultant: Shayna Tayloe 
Pianist: Kristin Roach 

Division II

1st place: 

Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
Two Remain, Act I, “Krystyna” Scene Jake Heggie 
Krystyna Zywulska: Elana Gleason    Krysia: Ashley Nuñez 
Zosia: Claire Choquette    Mariola: Keturah Heard 
Stage Director: Dugg McDonough Musical Director and Pianist: Michael Borowitz 

2nd place:

Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, Texas 
Postcard from Morocco, Hatbox Trio Dominick Argento 
Lady with a Hand Mirror: Ariana Sutherland    Lady with a Cake Box: Rachel Menchaca 
Lady with a Hat Box: Emily Anderson 
Stage Director: Rebecca Renfro Musical Director and Pianist: Bryan Banowetz 

Division I Finalists

Western Connecticut State University

Lawrence University

Virginia Tech

DePauw University

Musical Theatre Finalists

Texas Tech University

Sam Houston State University

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Samford University

Division II Finalists

The University of Montana 

Louisiana State University

Sam Houston State University

Missouri State University-Springfield

Congratulations to all the finalists who performed at the Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, January 2019!

Opera Division I

1st Place:

Missouri State University 

The Turn of the Screw, Act 2, Scene 1, Variation VII, Colloquy           Benjamin Britten
Quint: Lake Luellen         Miss Jessel: Aiyana Williams
Stage and Music Director:  Ann Marie Wilcox-Daehn  
Pianist: Louise Lofquist 

2nd Place:

Western Connecticut State University 

Die Zauberflöte, Finale, Scene 6     W. A. Mozart
Pamina: Callie Sorrentoa   Erste Knabe: Natalie Andrews    
Zweite Knabe: Christine Manalo  Dritte Knabe: Serena Valentin
Stage and Music Director: Margaret Astrup        Costumes: Margaret Astrup     
Pianist: Andrew Gordon

Musical Theater

1st Place

Missouri State University 

Camelot, “Simple Folks”      Alan Jay Lerner and Fredrick Loewe
Arthur: Isaac Williams                        Guenevere: Kayli Owen     
Stage and Music Director: Ann Marie Wilcox -Daehn  
Pianist: Christy Lee

2nd Place

Lawrence Conservatory of Music 

Spring Awakening, Act 2, “Word of Your Body” (reprise #2)                     Duncan Sheik
Hänschen: Nysio Poulakos                        Ernst: Jack Murphy
Stage Director: Copeland Woodruff   Musical Director: Andrew Crooks  
Pianist: Christy Lee

Opera Division II

1st Place

Louisiana State University  

Eugene Onegin, Act 3, Final Scene              Piotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky
Tatyana: Elana Gleason                 Eugene Onegin: Evan Hammond  
Stage Director: Octavio Cardenas             Musical Director: Michael Borowitz
Pianist: Kristin Scioneaux    

2nd Place

Missouri State University 

Orfeo ed Euridice, Act 3, “Divo Amore”       Christoph Willibald Gluck
            Euridice: Alana Yeomans               Orfeo: Tyler Hast      Amore: Carly Wingfield
Stage and Musical Director: Ann Marie Wilcox-Daehn            Student AD: Bridget Polach
Pianist: Louise Lofquist    

2019 COSC Finalists

Opera Division I Finalists
Sam Houston State University
Samford University
Western Connecticut State University
Missouri State University 

Opera Division II Finalists
Louisiana State University
Texas State University
Missouri State University
University of Colorado, Boulder

Musical Theatre Finalists 
Missouri State University
Columbus State University
Lawrence Conservatory of Music
Delta State University

Congratulations to the winners and all finalists who competed at the New Orleans convention in January 2018!

OPERA DIVISION I

First Place—

Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Little Women, Act II, Scene 5       Mark Adamo

Stage Director: Rachel M. Harris    Musical Director: Elena Lacheva and Kristen Eliason
Pianist: Kristen Eliason

Second Place—

Southeastern Louisiana University – Hammond, Louisiana

The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act I, Scene I                           Otto Nicolai

Stage Director: Rachel M. Harris        Musical Director and Pianist: Charles Effler

Finalists—

MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION

First Place—

Samford University – Birmingham, Alabama

On the Town, Act I, Scene 5         Leonard Bernstein

Stage Director: Kristin Kenning   Musical Director: Brian Viliunas  
Pianist: John Robertson            Costumes: Mary Gurney 

Second Place—

Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, Texas

West Side Story, Act II, No. 12         Leonard Bernstein

Stage and Musical Director: Rebecca Renfro Grimes         Pianist: Olena Blahulyak

Finalists—

University of Missouri, scene from Company

OPERA DIVISION II

First Place—

Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Dog Days, Act 1 Summer, Prologue: A Man in a Dog Suit           David T. Little

Stage Director: Dugg McDonough      Musical Director and Pianist: Michael Borowitz

Second Place—

University of Mississippi – Oxford, Mississippi

Albert Herring, Act II: Outside Mrs. Herring’s Greengrocery Shop       Benjamin Britten

Stage Director: Julia Aubrey                        Musical Director and Pianist: Amanda Johnston
Costumes: Ashley Moss

Finalists—

2018 Finals Judges: David Ronis, Leanne Clement, Givonna Joseph, Philip Seward, and Christy Lee

Congratulations to the winners and all finalists who competed at the Santa Barbara convention in January 2017!

OPERA DIVISION I

First Place—

Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA
Don Giovanni, Act I, Scene I        W. A. Mozart

Second Place—

University of Nebraska - Omaha, NE
Street Scene, Act II, Scene 2 duet scene      Kurt Weill

Finalists—

MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION

First Place—

University of Nebraska - Omaha, NE
Annie Get Your Gun, Act 2, Scene 8 duet "Anything You Can Do"      Irving Berlin

Second Place—

University of Nevada - Las Vegas, NV
Kiss Me, Kate, Act I duet, "I Hate Men/Were Thine That Special Face"    Cole Porter

Finalists—

Virginia Tech, scene from Me and My Girl

OPERA DIVISION II

First Place—

University of Colorado - Boulder, CO
Die Fledermaus, Act II, "The Watch Duet"     Johann Strauss

Second Place—

Central Washington University - Ellensburg, WA
Falstaff, Act I, Part 2        Giuseppe Verdi

Finalists—

2017 Finals Judges: Barbara Clark, Jay Dean, Suzanna Guzmán, James Marvel, Dawn Neely

Congratulations to the winners and all finalists who competed at the Indianapolis convention in January 2016!

OPERA DIVISION I

First Place—

Lawrence University - Appleton, WI
Le nozze di Figaro, Act III, Sextet        W. A. Mozart

Figaro: Paul Gutmann Susanna: Katie Mueller Marcellina: Kayla Siembieda
Bartolo: Josh Eidem Count Almaviva: Mitchell Kasprzyk Don Curzio: Jackson Rosenberry
Stage Director: Copeland Woodruff Music Director: Bonnie Koestner
Pianist: Derrick Hahn

Second Place—

Kennesaw State University - Kennesaw, GA
The Hotel Casablanca, Act I, Scene 2      Giuseppe Verdi

Tahlula Carter: Emily Crisp Lucy Perez: Camille Hathaway
Stage and Music Director: Eileen Moremen Pianist: Judy Cole

Finalists—

MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION

First Place—

DePauw University - Greencastle, IN
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Act I, "Poison in My Pocket"      Steven Lutvak

Miss Evangeline Barley: Julie Strauser Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr.: Dylan Prentice
Monty Navarro: Dallas Gray
Stage and Music Director: Steven Linville Pianist: Tony Weinstein

Second Place—

Samford University - Birmingham, AL
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Act I, "Been a Long Day"    Frank Loesser

Smitty: Holly Harrington Rosemary: Madilyn Muse Finch: Reid Parrott
Stage and Music Director: Kristin Kenning Pianist: John Robertson

Finalists—

Bucknell University, scene from The Light in the Piazza

OPERA DIVISION II

First Place—

University of Illinois - Urbana, IL
The Turn of the Screw, Act II, Scene vii, "Flora"     Benjamin Britten

Flora: Alicia Hurtado The Governess: Eleanora Benedict
Mrs. Grose: Rosemary Hamington Miss Jessel: Marla Moore
Stage Director: Dawn Harris Music Directors: Julie Gunn and Dennis Helmrich
Pianist: Michael Bagby

Second Place—

Missouri State University - Springfield, MO
Picnic, Act I, "The Food Quartet"        Libby Larsen

Christine: Sierra Saylor Irma: Brianna Gilliam
Flo: Tyler Schlesselman Rosemary: Lisa Blake
Stage and Music Director: Ann Marie Wilcox-Daehn Pianist: Danielle Hardin

Finalist—

2016 Finals Judges: Dean Anthony, Michael Ehrman, Linda Lister, Kevin Patterson, Valerie Trujillo

2016 Competition Flyer

Congratulations to the winners and all finalists who competed at the Greensboro convention in January 2015!

OPERA DIVISION I

First Place—

Georgia State University - Atlanta, Georgia
The Mikado, Act I, “Were You Not to Ko-Ko Plighted” Gilbert & Sullivan

Yum-Yum: Carolyn Balkovetz Nanki-Poo: Kirby Eicholtz
Stage Director: Carroll Freeman Music Director: Grant Jones Pianist: Rebecca Wilt

Second Place—

Samford University - Birmingham. Alabama
Falstaff, Act I, “Letter Quartet” Giuseppe Verdi

Alice Ford: Abi Benke Dame Quickly: Maggie Gill
Meg Page: Lauren Marino Nanetta: Christy Vest
Stage and Music Director: Kristin Kenning Pianist: Wesley Ballew

MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION

First Place—

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
Into the Woods, Act II, “Any Moment/Moments in the Woods” Stephen Sondheim

Baker’s Wife: Cheyna Alexander Cinderella’s Prince: Xavier Brown
Stage and Music Director: Linda Lister Pianist: Jae Ahn-Benton

Second Place—

Sam Houston State University - Huntsville, Texas
Guys and Dolls , Act II, “Sky and the Crapshooters” Frank Loesser

Nicely-Nicely Johnson: Bailey Turner Sky Masterson: John-Michael Jermain
Big Jule: Rene Vazquez Harry the Horse: Allen Castle Benny Southstreet: Jacob Averitt
Nathan Detroit: Gregory T. Broughton
Stage Director: Rebecca Grimes - Music Director and Pianist: Robert Hunt
Choreographer: Travis Prokop

OPERA DIVISION II

First Place—

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
Sancta Susanna, scene from Act I Paul Hindemith

Klementia: Stephanie Weiss Susanna: Lillian Roberts
Stage and Music Director: Linda Lister Pianist: Jae Ahn-Benton

Second Place—

Wichita State University - Wichita, Kansas
Die Fledermaus, Act I, scene iii Johann Strauss

Falke: Constantine Novotny Eisenstein: Andrew Fisher
Stage Director: Marie Allyn King
Music Director: Michael Hanawalt Pianist: Bridget Hille

2015 Finals Judges: Michael Ching, Tracelyn Gesteland, Kristine Hurst-Wajszcuk, Warren Jones, John Kramar

2015 Competition Flyer

Congratulations to the winners and all finalists who competed at the NYC convention in January 2014!

2014 Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition

All photos courtesy of Richard Poppino

DIVISION I

First Place—from Purchase College (SUNY), Purchase, NY, Hansel und Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, with Rachel Weishoff as Hansel and Robin Clifford as Gretel. The stage director was Jacques Trussel and the music director was Hugh Murphy. The pianist was Mina Kim.

Second Place—The University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL, Little Women by Adamo, with Mattie Crisp as Jo, Rachel Pickering as Meg, Grace Conner as Amy, and Lauren Jones as Beth. The stage and music director was Charles Wood and the pianist was Laurie Middaugh.

DIVISION II

First Place—Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, Susannah by Carlisle Floyd, with Lily Guerrero as Susannah and Andrew Simpson as Blitch. The stage directors were Samuel Ramey and Marie Allyn King, the music director was Mark Laycock, and the pianist was Linda Starkey. Costumes were by Shannon Smith- Register.

Second Place—The University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, La Boheme by Giocomo Puccini, with Rebecca Kidnie as Mimi and Max Hosmer as Rodolfo. The stage director was Leigh Holman and the music director was Nicholas Carthy.

Third Place—The University of Texas, Brownsville, TX, La fille du régiment by Gaetano Donizetti, with Connie Lopez as the Marquise, Azalea Laredo as Marie, and Robert Reyna as Sergeant Sulpice. The stage director was Nicole Asel and the music director was Daniel Hunter-Holly. The pianist was Laura Brumbaugh.

Honorable Mention—The University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC, The Most Happy Fella by Loesser, with Richard Hodges as Pasquale, Ryan Brock as Giuseppe and Matthew Arnold as Ciccio. The stage director was David Holley and the music director and pianist was Benjamin Blozan.

2014 Judges:  Susan Boardman, Susan Gonzalez, Chuck Hudson, Gordon Ostrowski, Dona Vaughn, Martha Wade.

2014 COSC Flyer

Congratulations to the winners and all finalists who competed at the Portland convention on January 3, 2013!

2013 Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition

All photos courtesy of Richard Poppino

DIVISION I

1st Place: University of Montana

Music and Stage Director: Anne Basinski
Pianist: Barbara Blegen
Die Fledermaus Johann Strauss

2nd Place: Southern Utah University

Music and Stage Director: Carol Ann Modesitt
Pianist: Sasha Bainson
The Old Maid and the Thief Gian-Carlo Menotti

3rd Place: Virginia Commonwealth University

Stage Director: Kenneth Wood
Music Director: Melanie Kohn Day
Collaborative Pianist: Kevin Chance
La bohème Giacomo Puccini

Finalist: Central Washington University

Stage Director: Gayla Blaisdell
Music Director and Pianist: Nikolas Caoile
The Bartered Bride Frederick Smetana

Finalist: Sam Houston State University

Stage Director: Rebecca Renfro Grimes
Music Director and Pianist: Roger Keele
The Magic Flute W. A. Mozart

DIVISION II

1st Place: The University of Montevallo

Stage and Music Director: Charles Wood
Pianist: Laurie Middaugh
Hamlet Ambroise Thomas

2nd Place: The University of Oregon

Stage Director: Karen Esquivel
Music Director and Pianist: Gustavo Castro
Giulio Cesare G. F. Handel

3rd Place: The University of Colorado Boulder

Stage Director: Leigh Holman
Music Director: Nicholas Carthy
Pianist: Kevin Chance
The Rake's Progress Igor Stravinsky

Honorable Mention: Georgia State University

Stage Director: Carroll Freeman
Music Director and Pianist: Rolando Salazar
Street Scene Kurt Weill

Finalist: The University of Massachusetts

Stage Directors: Amy Johnson and Vernon Hartman
Music Directors: Nadine Shank & U Mass collaborative piano staff
Pianist: Kevin Chance
Die Fledermaus Johann Strauss

Finalist: The University of Montana

Stage and Music Director: Anne Basinski
Pianist: Barbara Blegen
Eugene Onegin Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Congratulations to the winners and all finalists who competed at the Memphis convention on January 5, 2012!

DIVISION I

1st Place: Brigham Young University

Stage and Musical Director: Lawrence Vincent
Collaborative Pianist: John Sargeant
Le nozze di Figaro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

2nd Place: Missouri Western State University

Stage and Musical Director: Susan Carter
Collaborative Pianist: Donovan Jones
The Telephone Gian-Carlo Menotti

3rd Place: University of Montevallo

Musical and Stage Director: Charles Wood
Collaborative Pianist: Laurie Middaugh
Cosí fan tutte Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Finalist: Stanford University

Musical Director: Marie-Louise Catsalis
Stage Director: Nova Jimenez
Collaborative Pianist: Marie-Louise Catsalis
Der Schauspieldirektor Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Finalist: Sam Houston State University

Stage and Musical Director: Rebecca Renfro Grimes
Collaborative Pianist: Robert Hunt
La Serva Padrona Giovanni Battista Pergolesi

DIVISION II

1st Place: Brigham Young University

Stage and Musical Director: Lawrence Vincent
Collaborative Pianist: John Sargeant
Cosí fan tutte Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

2nd Place: Georgia State University

Stage Director: Carroll Freeman
Musical Director: Rolando Salazar
Collaborative Pianist: Daniel Solberg
The Medium Gian-Carlo Menotti

3rd Place: University of Alabama

Stage and Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling
Collaborative Pianist: Brad Baker
Costume Design: Jack Schmitz
Manon Jules Massenet

Finalist: Emporia State University

Stage and Musical Director: Penny Speedie
Collaborative Pianist: Boram Shin
The Fisher, The Fish, and the Wife Bruce Trinkley

Finalist (unable to attend): Bowling Green State University

Stage Director: Sean Cooper
Musical Director and Pianist: Kevin Bylsma
Pelléas et Mélisande Claude Debussy

Competition Videos

DIVISION I

1st Place: Brigham Young University

Stage and Musical Director: Lawrence Vincent
Collaborative Pianist: John Sargeant
Le nozze di Figaro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

2nd Place: Missouri Western State University

Stage and Musical Director: Susan Carter
Collaborative Pianist: Donovan Jones
The Telephone Gian-Carlo Menotti

3rd Place: University of Montevallo

Musical and Stage Director: Charles Wood
Collaborative Pianist: Laurie Middaugh
Cosí fan tutte Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

DIVISION II

1st Place: Brigham Young University

Stage and Musical Director: Lawrence Vincent
Collaborative Pianist: John Sargeant
Cosí fan tutte Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

2nd Place: Georgia State University

Stage Director: Carroll Freeman
Musical Director: Rolando Salazar
Collaborative Pianist: Daniel Solberg
The Medium Gian-Carlo Menotti

3rd Place: University of Alabama

Stage and Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling
Collaborative Pianist: Brad Baker
Costume Design: Jack Schmitz
Manon Jules Massenet

The third annual Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition was held in January, 2011, at the .

Division I Winners

• First Place University of Mississippi, Gianni Schicchi, Stage Director: Julia Aubrey; Coach and Pianist: Amanda Johnston
• Second Place Baylor University, The Impresario, Musical Director and Pianist: Jeffrey Peterson; Stage Director: Michael Johnston
• Third Place Xavier University of Louisiana, An Embarrassing Position, Musical Director: Dan Shore; Stage Director: Dara Rahming

Division II Winners

• First Place University of Colorado - Boulder, Carmen, Stage Director: Leigh Holman; Musical Director: Chris Zemliauskas
• Second Place University of Alabama, Rigoletto, Stage and Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling; Pianist: J. Bradley Baker
• Third Place University of Alabama, La bohéme, Stage and Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling; Pianist: J. Bradley Baker

Competition Judges

Gilda Cruz-Romo, George Shirley, and John Pfautz

The two first-place winners were featured in a working session, "Blood and Guts of Opera," with Richard Crittenden and Elizabeth Vrenios immediately following the competition.

Competition Videos

Division I

First Place University of Mississippi, Gianni Schicchi, Stage Director: Julia Aubrey; Coach and Pianist: Amanda Johnston

Second Place Baylor University, The Impresario, Musical Director and Pianist: Jeffrey Peterson; Stage Director: Michael Johnston

Third Place Xavier University of Louisiana, An Embarrassing Position, Musical Director: Dan Shore; Stage Director: Dara Rahming

Division II

First Place University of Colorado - Boulder, Carmen, Stage Director: Leigh Holman; Musical Director: Chris Zemliauskas

Second Place University of Alabama, Rigoletto, Stage and Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling; Pianist: J. Bradley Baker

Third Place University of Alabama, La bohéme, Stage and Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling; Pianist: J. Bradley Baker

The second annual Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition was held in January, 2010, at the .

Winning Scenes

First place was awarded to the University of Colorado - Boulder for their performance of Act I, Scene i of La Traviata.

Second place was awarded to the University of Tennessee - Knoxville for their performance of Act I, No.7 & No. 8 of Don Giovanni.

Third place was awarded to the University of Mississippi for their performance from Act III of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Finalists Program

Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition

Thursday, January 7, 2010
7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Gershwin Ballroom, Westin Atlanta

Introduction: Julia Aubrey, VP for Regions

The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam

Director: Carleen Graham Musical Director: Kirk Severtson
Pianist: François Germain

Albert Herring: Act I, Scene i Benjamin Britten

Lady Billows: Kelley Jayne Burns
Florence Pike: Sara Sania El Houssieny
Miss Wordsworth: Caitlin Bush
Mayor Upfold: Manuel Del Castillo
Mr. Gedge: Jacob Carll
Superintendent Budd: Michael Celentano

University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa

Stage & Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling    Pianist & Coach: Kevin Chance

Street Scene: Act I: Song and Cavatina     Kurt Weill

Rose Maurrant: Jennifer Bryant
Harry Easter: Perry Harper
Mrs. Olsen/Mrs. Jones: Amy Todhunter

University of Colorado – Boulder

Stage Director: Leigh Holman   Musical Director: Chris Zemiliauskas
Pianist: Ben Leaptrott

La Traviata: Act I, Scene i   Giuseppe Verdi

Violetta: Jennifer Braun
Alfredo: Alfredo-Bo Yang

Bethune-Cookman University

Stage Director: Curtis Rayam   Music Director and Pianist: Lisa Lawrence

Of Mice and Men: Act I, Scene I    Carlisle Floyd

George: Jadrian Tarver
Lennie: Robert Brant

University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa

Stage & Musical Director: Paul Houghtaling & nbsp; Pianist & Coach: Kevin Chance

The Medium: Act II, Scene i    Gian Carlo Menotti

Monica: Jennifer Bryant
Baba: Jeanette Fontaine
Toby: Jordan Lawson

University of Alabama – Birmingham

Stage & Musical Director: Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk
Pianist: Kseniia Polstiankina

The Marriage of Figaro: Act II: Finale   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Susanna: Brianna Moore
Count Almaviva: Charles Daniel
Figaro: Tyler Henderson
Countess Almaviva: Jessica Johnson

University of Mississippi

Stage Director: Julia Aubrey    Opera Coach & Pianist: Amanda Johnston
Costume Consultant: Carey Hanson

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act III – Dialogue & Quartet    Benjamin Britten

Lysander: Clay Terry
Hermia: Tiffany Gammell
Demetrius: Logan Rebstock Helena: Nina Cole
Puck: Mark Camire

Samford University

Stage Director: G. William Bugg   Musical Director: Milburn Price
Pianist: Cathy Thompson

Amahl and the Night Visitors: Act I, Scene i   Gian Carlo Menotti

Mother: Caitlin Huie
Amahl: Maggie Taylor

University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Stage Director: Carroll Freeman   Musical Director & Coach: Kevin Class
Pianist: Patrick Harvey

Don Giovanni: Act I, No.7 & No. 8   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Don Giovanni: John Arnold
Zerlina: Jessica Cates
Donna Elvira: Mieke Rickert

Kansas State University

Stage and Musical Director: Reg Pittman     Pianist: William Wingfield

The Elixir of Love: Act II, Scenes iv – vi   Gaetano Donizetti

Nemorino: Bryan Pinkall
Gianetta: Cassity Mitchell
Adina: Kelsey Brown
Dulcamara: D. J. Davis

Competition Judges:

Elizabeth Vrenios, Sally Stunkel, and Penny Speedie

The first annual Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition was held in January, 2009, at the NOA Convention in Washington, D.C.

Winning Entries

First place was awarded to George Mason University performing Too Many Sopranos: Act I Finale, by Edwin Penhorwood.

Second place was awarded to Towson University performing The Medium: “Séance Scene” (Act I), by Gian Carlo Menotti.

Finalists Program

Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition

Thursday, January 8, 2009
7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Capitol View Ballroom

Introduction: Julia Aubrey, VP for Regions

Southern Utah University

Director: Carol Ann Modesitt Piano: Christian Bohnenstengel

Die Zauberflöte Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Aria: O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn     Quintet: Hm, Hm, Hm
Trio: Du feines Täubchen, nur herein!

Queen of the Night—Kim Padilla
Papageno—Alex Byers
Tamino—Kiah Conrad
First Lady—Elise Read
Second Lady—Charity Johansen
Third Lady—Sarah Maxwell
Monastatos—Thad Jackson
Pamina—Theora Hansen

SUNY Potsdam - The Crane School of Music

Director: Carleen Graham Pianist: Kirk Severtson
Original staging by Garth Bardsley

Cosí fan tutte: Act I, Scene I    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Ferrando—Marco Cammarota
Guglielmo—Matt Royal
Don Alfonso—Robert Mellon

George Mason University

Stage Director: Rick Davis Artistic Director: Patricia Miller
Opera Coach & Pianist: Michael Crabill

Too Many Sopranos: Act I Finale    Edwin Penhorwood

Dame Doleful—Patricia Hussey
Madame Pompous—Alia Waheed
Miss Titmouse—Adrianna Sgarlata
Just Jeanette—Jessica Buckman
St. Peter—Gregory Hewitt
Gabriel—Darrick Speller

University of Mississippi

Director: Julia Aubrey Opera Coach & Pianist: Amanda Johnston

La Cenerentola: Act I, Scene I    Giocchino Rossini

Cenerentola—Alice-Anne Murray
Clorinda—Claire Taylor
Tisbe—Tiffany Gammell
Don Magnifico—Ryan Milstead
Prince Ramiro—Clay Terry

Towson University

Director: Phillip Collister Pianist: Rachel Roulet

The Medium: “Séance Scene” (Act I)     Gian Carlo Menotti

Baba—Francesca Aguado
Monica—Christa Monokrousos
Mrs. Nolan—Fatima Petersen
Mrs. Gobineau—Jennifer Smith
Mr. Gobineau—Daniel Seabolt
Toby—Eric Handy

Competition Judges:

Susan Boardman, John Douglas, David Holley, and Jacque Trussel