The Rochester Oratorio Society has announced 13 finalists for the 2020-2021 Rochester International Vocal Competition.
The finalists are (in alphabetical order): Danielle Beckvermit, Soprano; Michelle Capano, Soprano; Kara Dugan, Mezzo-Soprano; Allison Gish, Mezzo-Soprano; Emily Helenbrook, Soprano; Stephen Martin, Tenor; Keymon Murrah, Countertenor; Michele Navarro-Currenti, Soprano; Mary Beth Nelson, Mezzo-Soprano; Scott Purcell, Baritone; Anna Schubert; Soprano; Kyle Tingzon, Countertenor; David Walton, Tenor.
The finalists were selected from the largest application pool in the competition’s 14-year history, with over 150 applications received. These artists have performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Florida Grand Opera, the Glimmerglass Festival, Tri-Cities Opera, and Chautauqua Opera, among others. Former contestants have gone on to perform in opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Deutsche Oper Berlin.
This year’s list of finalists includes a familiar face, Emily Helenbrook, Soprano, who is from Alexander, in Genesee County. Helenbrook previously competed in the competition in 2010 and 2012. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she performed the role of Barbarina in Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro” and Suor Genovieffa in Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” with Eastman Opera Theatre in 2016. She was also the first place winner of the Eastman Concerto Competition in 2015. Since her days at Eastman, she has gone on to receive her Master of Music in Voice from Rice University and serve as a Vocal Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and Apprentice Artist at Palm Beach Opera.
“What started as a showcase of local talent has expanded into an internationally respected and highly regarded competition in the classical vocal world,” said Eric Townell, Artistic Director of the Rochester Oratorio Society. “We look forward to another year of outstanding talent.”
The 2020-2021 Rochester International Vocal Competition will culminate in an online broadcast performance showcasing winners and finalists on May 1, 2021, at 7 p.m. Details are available online at www.rossings.org.
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