AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION 2021 PROGRAM

SAVANNAH'S WEEK LONG CELEBRATION OF SONG

FEBRUARY 9-19, 2021

AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

All events will begin at 7pm on the date listed, and remain available to watch at the audience’s leisure until February 28, 2021.

pro gram flow

TUESDAY FEB. 9 Quarterfinal 1 Sponsored by Tricia & David Guggenheim

WEDNESDAY FEB. 10 Quarterfinal 2 Sponsored by Kathie & Les Anderson

THURSDAY FEB. 11 Quarterfinal 3 Sponsored by Nancy McGirr & David Goslin

FRIDAY FEB. 12 Quarterfinal 4 Sponsored by Patty & Heyward Gignilliat

TUESDAY FEB. 16 Judges Concert Sponsored by The Charles C. Taylor and Samir Nikocevic Charitable Foundation

WEDNESDAY FEB. 17 Semifinal 1 Sponsored by Hedy & Michael Fawcett

THURSDAY FEB. 18 Semifinal 2 Sponsored by Danny Cohen

FRIDAY FEB. 19 Final Round Sponsored by Savannah Morning News

14 ATC PRESIDENT 15 ATC DIRECTOR 16 ABOUT THE ATC ATC BOARD OF DIRECTORS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH 17 JUNIOR ATC 18 IN-KIND DONATIONS 19 VOLUNTEERS 20 ATC DONORS 22 AWARDS 24 PAST GOLD MEDAL WINNERS 25 SPONSORS 26 2021 JUDGES 28 PIANISTS 29 INSTRUMENTALISTS 30 2021 CONTESTANTS

table cont ents

of

WE CREATE DYNAMIC VIDEO CONTENT FOR BUSINESS AND CREATIVE PLATFORMS. SAVANNAH, GA 31401 | 706.449.1212

WELCOME TO THE 28TH YEAR OF ATC A

NOTE

FROM

ATC

BOARD

PRESIDENT

Greetings all. Welcome to the 28th year of The

The ATC was able to reinvent ourselves thanks

American Traditions Vocal Competition.

to the generous donations of our supporters

Timing is everything. This was never more true

live music for thousands of appreciative

than last February, 2020. The ATC welcomed

listeners. We look forward to partnering with

and collaborators. We were able to provide

our amazing judges, our wonderful pianists and of course, our talented contestants to the Hostess City. Our guests in attendance were

the City of Savannah’s ACE program to further develop our educational outreach, our Give Back Free Concert initiative and our second

moved by the passionate and virtuosic display

annual Junior ATC, a high school age version

of musicianship. Our Savannah visitors enjoyed

of our signature event to be held in May, 2021.

all it has to offer. Then...the world shut down.

We are beyond excited to bring you The Endless numbers of non profit organizations have struggled and even ceased to exist during

Virtual ATC, 2021! Our judges, pianists and contestants come from many musical worlds

the pandemic. The arts world was hit

and were thrilled to safely stretch their

particularly hard as performers saw their work

versatility as musicians.

opportunities disappear...completely. Our priorities were to find a way to support our ATC

The ATC is fortunate to have a diverse and

artists while honoring our beautiful city and

talented collection of professionals on our

staying afloat.

board. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. And lastly, to our Artistic Director,

As everything moved outdoors, we developed

Mikki Sodergren, who is now a Savannah

two new initiatives...our Porch Party Series and

resident... thank you for your passion and

our Give Back Free Concerts. From July through

vision.

September, we were able to hold eight concerts. Three were Porch Parties, two were free Give Back performances in downtown Savannah, and three events were held at The

“Those who wish to sing always find a song”Swedish Proverb. Enjoy our 2021 Virtual American Traditions Vocal Competition!

Landings Club in a new outdoor venue.

Sincerely, The decision to hold the American Traditions

Kellee Love

Vocal Competition virtually was made in early

Haselton

autumn. We were catapulted into a whole new world. To our delight, we set a record for number of applicants. These vocalists were obviously eager to safely sing again.

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

14

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER A

NOTE

FROM

ATC

ARTISTIC

DIRECTOR

The Virtual ATC, this special presentation for

We at the ATC are very lucky to work with

our 2021 competition, marks my ninth year

gifted editors – Michael Gaster and Brad

with this organization. In these years, I have

Binion of Michael Gaster + Associates went

been a competitor (twice) a winner (once), an

above and beyond, coming in on weekends

assistant, a social media director, a wrangler,

and staying late at night to adjust balance.

a friend to pianists, contestants, board

They made sure each song was perfectly

members and students, and of course, Artistic

aligned and brought the individual vision of

Director. This year I added some new hats:

each artist to life. Jamie and Diana McGaw

researcher, resident music licensing expert,

of Tremble Productions are truly passionate

and amateur audio engineer. I have learned

about the ATC’s mission and spent their

that I neither want to be a music producer nor

mornings, nights and weekends editing and

a copyright lawyer, and that I have great

perfecting these performances and

respect for those who hold such positions!

combining them to make a cohesive performance that is beautiful, lively and fun.

To let you peek behind the curtain, this year our pianists and singers rehearsed on Zoom

We have a wonderful board who made

and Facetime, and recorded all nine songs.

Southern Hospitality a priority, sending hand-

Our 2021 contestants turned in full ‘rounds’ of

picked goodies in hand-packed boxes to

competition, just like you would see onstage:

each contestant, pianist and judge. They met

three songs back-to-back. They dealt with

this special year’s challenges head on with

car alarms, garbage trucks, kids playing

immense dedication to this organization, and I

outside, and all sorts of other distractions,

consider myself very grateful.

and would restart their cameras until they caught their full, uninterrupted video and

Thank YOU for supporting us and supporting

audio takes. The dedication that these artists

the arts by keeping American music alive, this

presented is over-the-top.

year and every year.

We felt a great responsibility to honor what

With Love,

these performers sent to us, and give them

Mikki

each a fair shot at excelling in this

Sodergren

competition so the only deciding factors were the judge’s scores -which were managed internationally while the judges recorded albums, presented galas and continued on with their careers, virtually.

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

15

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

ABOUT THE ATC Now celebrating its 28th year, the American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATC) is Savannah’s premiere professional vocal competition. Established long before American Idol, this vibrant event has showcased competition winners and genres of music from around the world, in furtherance of ATC’s mission to celebrate and preserve all styles of classic American music. The 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization awards over $40,000 in cash prizes.

Winners have gone on to Broadway, recording careers, and other exciting professional opportunities in the musical world.

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

As part of its community-driven service initiative, the ATC also

The ATC seeks to educate and introduce students in the

provides musical education,

Chatham County area to different genres of American music.

exposure, and performances for

Through performances in the community and presentations in the

Savannah locals of all ages.

school system, the ATC is engaging tomorrow’s educators, performers and music lovers, while teaching them a respect and appreciation for American music that spans all genres and time periods.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The ATC, with investment from the City of Savannah, is

excited to further expand our curriculum by continued educational events in the Savannah area. Both virtually and safely in person, we will bring engaging and fun programming to our schools and our community. If you are passionate about supporting arts education and want to support our efforts

Kellee Haselton, President

financially, please contact Kellee Love Haselton or Mikki

Allen Henderson, Past President

Sodergren, our call the ATC phone number, (803) 702-0305.

Nathan Godley, Vice President Starr Holland, Secretary MarcTate, Treasurer

Les Anderson Carol Bell Danny Cohen Tricia Guggenheim Beverly Jaques Diana Langer Trish Lorenz Diane McCabe Laurel McCorkle Samir Nikocevic Dan Rizzo Brenda Rucker Jim Wann Susan Whitaker

16

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

"IF I CANNOT FLY, LET ME SING" - Stephen Sondheim

JUNIOR ATC Our 2019 inaugural Junior ATC was a great success, helping to give performance feedback to young singers in the Savannah area and shine a spotlight on students who were selected to take part in this performance experience. These young singers had the experience of preparing an independent musical performance and singing in front of a live and very supportive audience. Cash prizes were given to winners Quiana Morris, Hanna Frampton and Martin Juras totaling $1500.00, generously underwritten by the Charles C. Taylor and Samir Nikocevic Charitable Foundation.

These young singers were also given studio time at the SCAD Recording Studio, kindly offered by Robin Beauchamp, to give them hands-on experience working with an engineer, close mic, and pianist, Kellee Haselton in the studio. To truly preserve our history of American song, we have to plant seeds of appreciation in our American youth and continue to nurture their love of American music. With generous donations from Tricia and David Guggenheim and investment from the City of Savannah, our 2021 Junior ATC will take place later this spring. Interested in getting involved?

Email Mikki Sodergren at msodergren@americantraditionscompetition.com.

17

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

IN-KIND = KINDNESS

18

MANY IN-KIND DONATIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE ATC FOR COMPETITION WEEK. THE COMPETITION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

17 Hundred 90 Inn and Restaurant

Diane McCabe

WSAV On Your Side

Dan Rizzo

Byrd Cookie Company

Savannah Bee Company

Danny Cohen

River Street Sweets

First Presbyterian Church Savannah

Penny LeBlanc

Tricia Guggenheim

Samir Nikocevic

Kellee and Don Haselton

Allen Henderson

Starr Holland

Diana Langer

Trish Lorenz

Skidaway Island United Methodist Church

Host South

Kim Steiner

Lesley Francis Public Relations

Sara Zoe Budnik

Spectrum Printing

Nat Zegree

Visit Savannah

Jasmine Habersham

WTOC

Tegan Miller Assaf Gleizner

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

19

W I T H O U T

THE HEART OF A VOLUNTEER

O U R

W O R K

D O N E .

Y O U R A T C

A

V O L U N T E E R S ,

C A N N O T

T H A N K

Y O U

D E V O T I O N

A N D

Y O U R W I T H

O U R

F O R

T I M E U S .

B E F O R

T O

T H E

S H A R I N G

A N D

Y O U

T A L E N T S

T R U L Y

M A K E

D I F F E R E N C E .

VOLUNTEERS

THANK YOU

Karen and Doug Duncan

Thank you to Charlotte Hagenmeyer, our

Howard Hackney

contestant hospitality sponsor for 2021.

Starr Holland Tressa Kelly

THANK YOU TO OUR PORCH

Daniel Smith Trish Lorenz Brenda Rucker Laurel McCorkle Dan Rizzo Kellee and Don Haselton Tricia and David Guggenheim Danny Cohen Ed Plotts

PARTY AND GIVE BACK HOSTS Sharon and Murray Galin Starr Holland Diana Langer Plant Riverside District Richard Kessler Tricia and David Guggenheim Danny Cohen

Darko Butorac Mayor Van Johnson

“VOLUNTEERS DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE TIME; THEY JUST HAVE THE HEART.” ~ELIZABETH ANDREW.

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

20

DONORS T h i s

Soprano $20,000+

l i s t

i s

r e f l e c t i v e

THANKS FOR MAKING THE AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION HAPPEN YEAR AFTER YEAR!

o f

d o n a t i o n s

r e c e i v e d

p r i o r

t o

F e b r u a r y

1 ,

Ann & Allen Henderson

Susan & Todd Cutter

Beverly & Bill Jaques

Carolyn C. Donovan

Tressa & Stephen Kelly

Virginia Edwards

Elizabeth Oxnard

Susan & John Kleine

Lesley & Carl Francis

Daniel Cohen

Trish & Gifford Lorenz

Diana & Steve Graham

Diane McCabe

Carol and Dr. Joel Greenberg

Laurel & Robert McCorkle

Ann & Jerome Hanley

Dan Rizzo & Silvio Trioni

Judy & Wes Krulic

Swann Seiler

Mary Ellen & Wells Nutt

Diana Langer

Brenda Rucker

Barbara & Samuel McLaughlin

Charles C. Taylor &

Gail & Michael Siegel

Suzanne & Richard Prior

Samir Nikocevic

Beckett & Jim Spreng

Arlene & Allan Ratner

Charitable Foundation

Carol & Marc Tate

Barbara Ruddy

Patricia & James Wann

Nancy & Carlton Sheets

Georgia Power

Sandra & Daniel Smith

Mezzo Soprano $10,000 - $19,999

Alto $5,000 - $9,999 Kathie & Les Anderson Tricia & David Guggenheim Susan & Ron Whitaker

Judith Stanley & Gary Hobbs Susan & Steve Terrio

Bass $500 - $999 Anonymous

Sandra & Stephen Ummel Rhegan & Tim White-Clemm Winston Willis Maria Zouves & Sherrill Milnes

Tenor $2,500 - $4,999

Carol Bell

Hedy & Michael Fawcett

Pat & Howard Hackney

Kellee & Don Haselton

Toby W. Hollenberg

Melaver Foundation

Susan & John Kleine

Teri & Bruce Ackland

Nancy McGirr & David Goslin

Charles O'Brien

Susan Adler

Melissa & Chip O'Brien

Christine Allen

Ann & John Otjen

Lynly & Todd Baker

William Udry

Richard Beattie

Kimberly Patterson Yocum

Joanne & Barrie Bell

Baritone $1,000 - $2,499

Timothy Coy Mary & Brian Duffy

Lynne & Fred Bozeman

James Alexander Drs. Margaret & Andrew Cohen Naomi & Barry Cohen Star Holland & Rick Durkee Melissa & Jim Emery Patty & Heyward Gignilliat Charlotte Hagenmeyer

Silver Star $100 - $249

Gold Star $250 - $499 Kathryn & Charlie Berg Rhegan White Clemm & Tim Clemm Bess Cohen

Marilyn Brady Carole Bufford Monica Christine David Cohen Elizabeth & Rob Diehl

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

2 0 2 1

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

21

Bronze Star up to $99

Susan Dischner Karen & Doug Duncan Andrea Felkins

Jocelyn Pride Teresa & Kelly Ritter Merritt Fleming Robinson

Sharon & Murray Galin

Sally Akins

Laura Strohl Sanzel

Patty & Doug Giorgio

Michaelangelo Allocca

Jackie Schiffer

Jane & Jim Golz

Jessamyn Anderson

Parag Shah

Jennifer Grayson

Carol & Jerry Black

David Shenton

Robert Hall

Kathy & Kemper Brand

Perry Sherman

Timothy Hall

Colleen & Rob Brannen

Mary Ann & Michael Sinclair

Chris & Jim Hoye

Aubrey & Jim Brawner

Boreta Singleton

Lisa Jones Humrich

Michael Braz

Chad Sonka

Cathy & Carl Kotheimer

Sheila Budnik

Andrew David Sotomayor

Valerie & Scott Jackson

Jennifer & Mark Buemi

Kathryn & Jack Stout

Sue & Pete Jaques

Randy Canady

Brian Stovall

William Lavonis

Josh Carswell

Claire Watts

Anita Floyd Lee

Michael Ching

John Wesley Wright

Kathy Levett

Landis Coutzoukis

Pam & Wain Yarber

Sarah & Michael Maliakel

Denise & Pat Danca

Phyllis & Gay Mayfield

Alison & Larry Diamond

Mary McBride & Dean Phillipo

Lauren Snouffer & Mark Diamond

Margaret & Donald McCulloch

Marcie Dickson

Ann Marie McPhall

John Drew

Harriet Meyerhoff

Susan & Jim Elliott

Dr. Julia Mikell

Jessica Fishenfeld & Scott Joiner

Marcia & Larry Mills

Erica Gabriel

Linda & John Morris

Kimberly George

Elizabeth Myers

Brian Giebler

Carol & Ali Nasr

Tegan Miller & Assaf Gleizner

Claire & Ed O'Donnell

S Claire Gdd

Barbara & Rick Schnable

Dennis Gmerek

Marilyn & John Sobke

Eileen Holliday

Jane & Scott Sodergren

Kim Hawkey

Mikki Sodergren

Mimi & Dr. Robert Jones

Wilson Southerland

Gail & Dr. David Knopf

Julie Storm & Hal Carr

Sarah Krauss

Holly Taylor & Richard Lamb

Liza Mackey

Anita & Arne Vorwig

Carolyn Malfa

John West

Rachel Policar Marrandino &

Tom White

Paul Marrandino

Beverly Willett

Anita Lynn Miller

Sharen Wixom

Marci Reed Mungovan

Pam & David Young

Joe Murphy

Linda & Michael Zoller

Tracy O'Connell

Consider preserve growth ATC

becoming the

of

our ATC

the

expands

wonderful

ATC its

diversity

community, for

part

diversity

of

of

through reach of

your

generations

our

American

in

a

donation a

variety

American

financial to

dedicated vocal

vocal

support

come.

Visit

music to

the

of

focus and

highlight the

Endowment

ways

music

to

ensure

such

with

the

Fund.

as K-12

and

continued As

sharing students

the the of

will

support

the

mission

of

our

website

to

donate

today!

www.americantraditionscompetition.com/donations

the

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

22

AWARDS GOLD MEDAL - $12,000

Sponsored by Elizabeth Oxnard

SILVER MEDAL - $6,000

Sponsored by Diana Langer

BRONZE MEDAL - $3,000

Sponsored by Daniel Cohen

4TH PLACE MEDAL - $2,000 5TH PLACE MEDAL - $1,500

Sponsored by Susan & Ron Whitaker Sponsored by The Charles C. Taylor & Samir Nikocevic Charitable Foundation

THE BEN TUCKER JAZZ AWARD Sponsored by Dr. Margaret Cohen

THE SHERRILL MILNES AMERICAN OPERA AWARD

& Dr. Andrew Cohen The Ben Tucker Jazz Award, which includes a $500 stipend, is given to the contestant who the ATC Judges determine sings the best Jazz performance during the Quarterfinal or Semifinal rounds of competition. The award is given in memory of former ATC Board member and international jazz bassist Ben Tucker, who loved this competition. The award is sponsored

by Dr. Margaret Cohen and Dr. Andrew Cohen.

Sponsored by Naomi & Barry Cohen and Maria Zouves & Sherrill Milnes The Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award is presented to the vocalist who sings the best American opera aria during the Quarterfinal or Semifinal rounds.

In addition to the $500

award, the winner is invited to participate at a Savannah Voice Festival even during the 2020-2021 season.

This year, The

Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award is sponsored by Naomi and Barry Cohen and

THE RICHARD CHAMBLESS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Maria Zouves and Sherrill Milnes, himself!

THE JOHNNY MERCER AWARD

Sponsored by Swann Seiler The monetary prize of $500 each is presented to two lucky singers who do not advance from the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds based on votes from you, our virtual audience! The prize money, generously donated by Swann Seiler, honors the memory of long time ATC supporter Richard Chambless. Audience members will be able to text votes for their favorite contestants!

Sponsored by The Friends of Johnny Mercer and Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus This monetary award of $750 is presented to the vocalist who performs the best Johnny Mercer song during the Quarterfinal or Semifinal rounds of competition. Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus and the Friends of Johnny Mercer annually donate this award and will present it to the winner at the Finals.

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

23

THE TOIAN BOWSER ALEXANDER CONTESTANT AWARD

THE SAVANNAH PHILHARMONIC AWARD Sponsored by Savannah Philharmonic In collaboration with the Savannah

Sponsored by James Edward Alexander

Philharmonic, the Gold Medal Winner of the

This award is given in memory of Ms. Toian

American Traditions Vocal Competition will be

Alexander, the first Treasurer of the American Traditions Vocal Competition.

invited to sing with the Savannah Philharmonic

She and her

during the 2021-2022 season. This is the 9th

husband, James Alexander, were moved by the

year that our arts organizations have worked

spirit of this competition and the camaraderie between contestants.

together to celebrate the diversity of American

To foster this inclusive

music through song!

spirit, this award is traditionally voted on by contestants to reward a fellow contestant who exhibits helpfulness to others, encouragement and supportiveness: embodying the very heart of this vocal competition.

THE KIMMIE AWARD The an to

Kimmie

is

individual the

ATC,

celebrate

awarded who

as

and

at

the

exemplifies

well

as

discretion

dedication

preserve

2021 WINNER 2020 WINNER

the

of

the

professionalism to

diversity

the of

ATC’s

ATC

in

Board

craft,

mission

American

to

service to

music.

Winner announced during virtual ATC Susan Kleine

2019 WINNER

David Friedman

2018 WINNER

Kim Michael Polote

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

24

PAST GOLD-MEDAL WINNERS 2020 • Carole J. Bufford

2006 • Vale Rideout

2019 • Mykal Kilgore

2005 • Andre McRae

2018 • Erica Gabriel

2004 • Maria Clark

2017 • Julie Benko

2003 • Andrew Garland

2016 • Michael Maliakel

2002 • Alice Tillotson

2015 • Alexa Grae

2001 • Kim Michael Polote

2014 • Mikki Sodergren

2000 • John Wesley Wright

2013 • Kimberly Hawkey

1999 • Robert Sims

2012 • Joshua Carswell & Ann Marie McPhail

1998 • Amy Yovanovich

2011 • Douglas Carpenter

1997 • Kelly Ellenwood

2010 • Maria McDaniel

1996 • Darryl Williams

2009 • Todd William Donovan

1995 • Deborah Ford

2008 • Kiley Watson

1994 • Ernestine Dillard

2007 • Sharon Clark

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

25

SPONSORS

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

26

JUDGES KATE BALDWIN Kate Baldwin starred opposite both Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters in the 2017 Tony-winning revival of Hello Dolly!, garnering accolades for her sparkling humor and soaring voice. She was nominated for the 2017 Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance as Irene Molloy. Her starring role in the 2009 Broadway revival of Yip Harburg’s and Burton Lane’s hit classic musical Finian’s Rainbow drew Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, and put her on the map as “a real musical theatre star” (New York Post). She received a Drama Desk Award nomination for her role as Jen in Keen Company’s 20th Anniversary revival of Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald’s John & Jen. She starred as Sandra Bloom in Big Fish on Broadway, and earned accolades and a Drama Desk Award nomination for her work as Leslie Lyntonn Benedict in Giant at The Public Theater. Off Broadway, she drew raves in Songbird (59E59) and a Lortel Award nomination for her work in Superhero (Second Stage). Kate’s new show titled How Did You Get This Number? features signature songs from her acclaimed performances in Finian’s Rainbow, Giant, Big Fish, and Hello Dolly! Hailed as “the redheaded firecracker” (Stephen Holden, New York Times), she tells the story of how each song became a part of her life and what it means to her. More from writers like Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, Jerry Herman and long-time friend and collaborator Georgia Stitt fill the program with gorgeous music and expert storytelling. “We suppose there are some things that Baldwin cannot do, but over the past decade we have yet to see her be anything but superb,” says Steven Suskin of Playbill.

KURT ELLING Renowned for his singular combination of robust swing and poetic insight, GRAMMY winner Kurt Elling has secured his place among the world’s foremost jazz vocalists. Declared “the standout male vocalist of our time” by The New York Times, Elling has garnered unprecedented accolades, including a fourteen-year run atop the DownBeat Critics Poll, a dozen GRAMMY nominations, and eight Jazz Journalists Association awards for “Male Singer of the Year.”

Elling’s voice is instantly recognizable, embracing listeners with his warm, rich baritone and navigating the full span of his four-octave range as a virtuoso instrumentalist and a compelling storyteller.

Whether transforming timeless standards or crafting his own enthralling originals, Elling balances elegant lyricism and technical mastery with wry humor, emotional depth, and keen observations into the human condition. “Elling combines authenticity with stunning originality,” is how The Wall Street Journal describes his talents, while The Guardian has called him “a kind of Sinatra with superpowers.” The Toronto Star has gone so far as to say that “Kurt Elling is the closest jazz will ever get to having its own saint," while The Guardian makes up one voice in a chorus calling him “one of jazz's all-time great vocalists." Elling’s most recent release, Secrets Are the Best Stories (Edition), continues the explorations begun on his Grammy-nominated The Questions, delving even deeper into life’s most challenging philosophical puzzles. This time he’s joined by renowned pianist Danilo Pérez, whose own work embraces a global vision of unity and acceptance. While The Questions was undoubtedly a learning experience, Elling never expected to find definitive answers. That embrace of mystery is reflected in the new album’s provocative title, a keen insight that he gleaned from one of his daughter’s childhood friends, whose naïve wisdom recognized the profundity of the unknown. Taking the long view of Elling’s audacious and richly varied career, the Washington Post lauded, “Since the mid-1990s, no singer in jazz has been as daring, dynamic or interesting as Kurt Elling. With his soaring vocal flights, his edgy lyrics and sense of being on a musical mission, he has come to embody the creative spirit in jazz.”

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

27

LAWRENCE BROWNLEE Lawrence Brownlee is a leading figure in opera, both as a singer on the world's top stages, and as a voice for activism and diversity in the industry. Captivating audiences and critics around the globe, he has been hailed as “an international star in the bel canto operatic repertory” (The New York Times), “one of the world’s leading bel canto stars” (The Guardian), and “one of the most indemand opera singers in the world today” (NPR). Amidst the challenges of COVID-19, Brownlee has emerged as a pivotal voice in classical music’s shift toward digital programming and the resurgence of conversations around racial justice. In May 2020, he launched “The Sitdown with LB,” a weekly Facebook Live series which explores the experience of being an African-American opera singer. The ongoing series has featured Brownlee in conversation with renowned artists like George Shirley, Denyce Graves, Martina Arroyo, J’Nai Bridges, Angel Blue, and others. Since April 2020 he has also hosted the video series “Coffee and a Song,” in which he invites artist friends to perform interpretations of art-songs from the intimacy of their own homes, and in August he gave a Masterclass conversation-performance as part of National Sawdust’s Digital Discovery Festival. Brownlee also performed at the Metropolitan Opera’s At-Home Gala in April 2020.Other highlights of Brownlee’s 20-21 season include a virtual concert with the Tallahassee Symphony, a broadcast of Lawrence Brownlee and Friends with Opera Philadelphia, a virtual recital with pianist Myra Huang for the Schubert Club International Artist Series, broadcasts and eventual live performances of his acclaimed solo recital program Cycles of My Being, a duo recital with Michael Spyres, and appearances with the Lincoln Center Song Series, Opéra Royal de Wallonie, Opernhaus Zurich, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, New National Theatre Tokyo, and San Francisco Opera. His album Amici e Rivali with Michael Spyres and Maestro Corrado Rovaris, releasing November 13 on Warner Classics & Erato, will be the first ever to exclusively feature Rossini’s tenor duets. The 2019-2020 season began with a return to Lyric Opera of Chicago for one of his signature roles as Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis, followed by Dutch National Opera for another Rossinian comedy favorite as Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola. Brownlee also made a welcome return to Houston Grand Opera, adding a new role to his repertoire as Fernand in a new production of Donizetti’s La Favorite. In February 2020, he gave a recital alongside Michael Spyres and the Puerto Rico Symphony, and in March returned to his hometown for a concert with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. A passionate advocate for diversity initiatives, Mr. Brownlee works with companies and engages civic organizations in the cities he visits to create programs and experiences seeking to expand opera audiences. His critically-acclaimed solo recital program Cycles of My Being, a song cycle that centers on the black male experience in America today, has toured across the country three times since 2018, including performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and virtual broadcasts throughout 2020. Following the successful Lawrence Brownlee and Friends concert at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2019, Brownlee performed Giving Voice at Houston Grand Opera, a concert created to celebrate Houston’s diverse community, and reprised his concert at Lyric with the virtual performance of Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter in July 2020. He serves as artistic advisor for Opera Philadelphia, where his responsibilities include increasing and expanding audience diversity, advocating for new works, and liaising with the General Director from the perspective of a performing artist. “As an artist, I think it is important that we are actively advocating for this beautiful art form we love so much,” said Brownlee, “ensuring that it will be alive and well for many years to come.” Mr. Brownlee also serves as an Ambassador for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Lyric Unlimited, and is a Peace Ambassador for a new initiative called Opera for Peace. With an ever-increasing presence in opera, recital, and concerts, Lawrence Brownlee has cemented his place as one of the top artists in classical music. He is a regular guest at the world’s most important opera houses including The Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House - Covent Garden, Bayerische Staatsoper, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Opéra national de Paris, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real, Opernhaus Zürich, and Wiener Staatsoper. He is a fixture at the world’s top recital venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and The Kennedy Center. His concert performances include collaborations with The Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The San Francisco Symphony, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, and the festivals of Baden-Baden and Salzburg. Brownlee is the fourth of six children and first discovered music when he learned to play bass, drums, and piano at his family’s church in Hubbard, Ohio.

He was awarded a Masters of Music from Indiana University and went on to win a Grand Prize in the 2001 Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. Brownlee is a winner of numerous awards and distinctions including “Male Singer of the Year” (2017 International Opera Awards) and the Kennedy Center’s Marian Anderson Award. In October 2019, he had the distinct honor of singing at Jessye Norman’s funeral in her hometown of Augusta, Georgia.

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

28

PIANISTS ASSAF GLEIZNER Born and raised in Israel, Grammy®- nominated Assaf Gleizner has been working as a composer, music director, orchestrator/arranger and pianist both in NYC and around the world for the past 15 years.

He's a member of BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and Founder and Artistic Director of the organization, Arts for Immigrants. On Broadway stages, Assaf’s work has been seen at the Hudson Theater and the Gerswhin Theater, as an Orchestrator and Arranger for Stephen Schwartz’s 70th Birthday Concert, and for the very notable Arts for Autism Fundraising concert. Assaf has written several musicals that have toured nationally, and will soon begin international productions, as well. Assaf now lives in Savannah, Georgia, and recently founded his most delicious enterprise yet: IsREALLY Hummus!

ANDREW SOTOMAYOR Music directing credits include the First National Tour of Escape to Margaritaville, the Off-Broadway premiere of Curvy Widow, Some Enchanted Evening (Paper Mill Playhouse) Man of La Mancha (Westport Country Playhouse), Newsies and West Side Story (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), The Will Rogers Follies (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse) and Cutman: A Boxing Musical (Goodspeed), among others. As a composer, he has provided music and lyrics for the original musicals 50 Shades of F***d Up, and Committed as well as scores for the short film Cuba 1961: A Love Story, and the independent feature film, BX3M. He is a proud graduate of Stetson University, Florida. For more information, head to Soto.fun

DAVID SHENTON David Shenton is an English-born pianist, violinist, composer, and arranger based in New York City. As pianist/music director David has worked with renowned members of the music profession in all genres, including Vanessa Williams, Tony Bennett, Norm Lewis, Zach Levi, Sierra Boggess, Denyce Graves, Alfie Bøe, Renée Fleming, Sherrill Milnes, Marilyn Maye, Liz Callaway, Sir André Previn, Michael Feinstein, Amanda McBroom, Katie Couric, Alan Menken, and Stephen Schwartz. David's proficiency in multiples genres has allowed him to work at prestigious venues, in various guises, all over the world. He gave his Carnegie Hall début in 2014 when he conducted (from the piano) his own orchestra/big band in front of a sold out house. David's Jazz @ Lincoln Center début was at The Rose Theater as jazz pianist in 2008, and two years later he gave his classical piano début at Lincoln Center's Rubenstein Atrium performing Schumann and Chopin as part of the 200th year anniversary celebrations of these two composers. David teaches extensively and, as a coach, accompanist and teaching professor, has been on the faculties of NYU, The New School, The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, was visiting professor of violin and piano at St. Thomas Choir School for 4 years, and is entering his sixth year as the Music Director at Grace Church School in Manhattan. He is also a composer in residence in the advanced class of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. A prolific arranger, David has worked for Abbey Road & CTS Studios (London), on Hollywood movies, West End & Broadway shows. Born in Rotherham (South Yorkshire), England, David studied violin and piano at The Royal College of Music, London from where he graduated with the highest honours.

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

29

EXTRA INSTRUMENTALISTS WILSON SOUTHERLAND American pianist, coach, and conductor Wilson Southerland is in demand throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. His engagements have included recitals and concerts at Wigmore Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, the Apollo Theater, Steinway Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Villa D’Éphrussi Palace near Nice, France. As principal coach, pianist, and assistant conductor, Mr. Southerland has worked at opera companies and festivals across the world, including Seattle Opera, Opera Omaha, Opera Birmingham, Spoleto Festival USA, the Chautauqua Institution, Gotham Chamber Opera, Opera Africa (Pretoria, South Africa), The Royal Opera (Muscat, Oman), Si parla, si canta (Urbania, Italy), and the American Institute of Musical Studies (Graz, Austria). Mr. Southerland worked closely with Maestro Lorin Maazel for many years, both at his Castleton Festival (as senior coach, assistant conductor, and pianist) and at the New York Philharmonic (as rehearsal pianist). He accompanied the esteemed conductor-violinist in recital at the Kennedy Center, and served as primary pianist under his baton for all of Britten’s chamber operas. Mr. Southerland holds a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Music from The Juilliard School.

BILLY HOFFMAN Billy Hoffman is a music educator and performer residing in Savannah Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Performance and Education. Currently, Billy teaches band at Coastal Middle School in Savannah, and performs regularly throughout the region.Billy has performed with the Savannah Symphony, Hilton Head Orchestra, Savannah Jazz Orchestra, Swing Time Orchestra, Equinox Big Band, Chris Clarke Big Band and Ben Tucker Trio. During the thirteen years that Billy performed with Ben Tucker, he had the opportunity to back up nationally known artists, which include Mose Allison, Houston Person, Michele Benson, Warren Vaché, Marcus Printup, Wes Anderson, Ron Westray, Frank Gordon, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Jimmy Bruno, Howard Paul, George Mesterhazy, Tony Monaco and Joe Negri.

MARC CHESANOW Marc Chesanow holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Memphis in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music in Double Bass performance. He has studied with world-renowned soloist James VanDemark, John Chiego from the University of Memphis, Louis Kosma from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Clute from the Minnesota Orchestra as well as others. Currently residing in Savannah, Georgia, Marc can be seen regularly performing with the Savannah Philharmonic and The Hilton Head Symphony as well as regular performances at jazz venues such as the Good Times Jazz Bar and The Jazz Corner. Marc was formerly on the faculty of Coastal Carolina University and was the program coordinator for music at Southeastern Community College. Prior to this, he was Music Director for Legends in Concert in Myrtle Beach and performed with the Long Bay Symphony. An avid jazz musician, Marc has studied jazz bass with Rufus Reid, Michael Moore, and Tim Goodwin as well as jazz composition with Rayburn Wright and Bill Dobbins. His arrangements have been performed by the Long Bay Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and the Savannah Philharmonic. In 1993, Marc was awarded a Grammy award in the Student Jazz/Big Band category. Marc has performed with many artists including Tom Scott, Wycliffe Gordon, Rod Stewart, Bernadette Peters, Isaac Hayes, Maureen McGovern, Eddy Arnold, the Marvelettes, Joel Grey, Tommy Tedesco, The Moody Blues plus many others.

EVGENIIA AKNAZAROVA MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY LESLEY AND CARL FRANCIS PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER

Evgeniia Aknazarova began her musical journey at the age of 10, balancing learning how to play the violin with vocal lessons. Mainly, these were classical vocal lessons, but being a sophomore at Glinka Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatoire in a violin class, she started studying with a pop/jazz vocal teacher and that was the key element choosing her stylistic heading in singing. Other than studying at the conservatoire, she played the violin as part of an ensemble performing Baroque music and participating in many European festivals.

She received scholarships twice to take part in master classes in the International Music Sessions of Holland in 2006/2007. Having graduated the Conservatoire in 2010, she won 2nd

prize

at

the

International

Grand

Prix

of

St.

Petersburg

Vocalists

Competition.

In

2018/2019 she worked as a singer and violinist at circus shows for the Swiss Dream Circus.

In

2020

released

her

debut

album

‘’My

Wings

of

Desire’’

under

the

stage

name

Jane

Young. Currently, Evgeniia is working as an artist and a session singer/violinist for various musical projects.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Take A Look – Clyde Otis – Popular Music of 1950-1980 2. My Funny Valentine (Babes In Arms) – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart – Great American Songbook 3. Mr. Paganini (You’ll Have To Swing It) – Sam Coslow - Jazz

SEMIFINALS 1. Never Enough (The Greatest Showman) – Benj Pasek, Justin Paul - Hollywood 2. Deedle’s Blues – Morgan Ames - Blues 3. Girl Crush – Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose – Country

FINALS 1. Take A Look – Clyde Otis – Popular Music of 1950-1980 2. Will There Really Be A Morning – Ricky Ian Gordon – Art Song 3. And I Am Telling You (Dreamgirls) – Henry Krieger – Musical Theatre

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

30

ADAM VON ALMEN TENOR SPONSORED BY WINSTON WILLIS PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Adam von Almen is an American singer, actor, and musician. A native of Lima, Ohio, Adam graduated with a vocal performance degree from Ohio Northern University. He was also named a

2019

trained, Adam

semifinalist

in

the

Lotte

Lenya

Vocal

Competition.

Although

classically

quickly found success in performing a mix of genres, such as musicals,

operas/operettas,

oratorios, choral singing, acapella groups, pop music, etc. Some past

favorite roles include the

Governor (Candide), Frank Schultz (Show Boat), Man 1 (Closer

Than Ever), Scruple (The Heir Apparent) and Hipockets Duncan (Buddy:The Buddy Holly Story). On the concert stage, Adam

was previously a member of the Los Angeles Master

Chorale and has performed in many

prestigious venues, such as Walt Disney Concert Hall,

Carnegie

Hall,

David

Geffen

Hall

at

camera, you can spot him on Arrested

Lincoln

Center,

and

St.

Patrick’s

Cathedral.

On

Development. Adam currently resides in NYC.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Just One Of Those Things (Jubilee) – Cole Porter - Jazz 2. Stay – Jennifer Nettles - Country 3. Cabaret/I Miss the Music (Cabaret/Curtains) – John Kander, Fred Ebb – Cabaret

SEMIFINALS 1. Charade (Charade) – Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Nothing More Than This (Candide) – Leonard Bernstein - Opera 3. Issue in Question (Triumph of Love) – Jeffery Stock, Susan Birkenhead – Musical Theatre

FINALS 1. The Joke – Brandi Carlisle, Dave Cobb, Shooter Jennings, Tim Hanseroth - Folk 2. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? (Americana) – Yip Harburg, Jay Gorney – Great American Songbook 3. Through Heaven’s Eyes (The Prince of Egypt) – Stephen Schwartz - Hollywood

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

31

SOPHIE AMELKIN SOPRANO SPONSORED BY NANCY MCGIRR AND DAVID GOSLIN PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER, WILSON SOUTHERLAND

Sophie Amelkin an up and coming actor/singer who’s emerging career includes musical theater,

folk/rock,

and

classical

crossover

work.

In

2019,

Sophie

made

her

New

York

theatrical debut playing the title role in My Princess Diana, a new musical performed as a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Recent stage appearances include the role of Vi Petty/Keys in The Buddy Holly Story, a recital of Ladino and Yiddish art song as a part of the University of Minnesota’s Mondays at Minnesota recital series , Bach’s Coffee Cantata with Skål Chamber Collective, performances of Libby Larsen’s monodrama The Magdalene

as

a

Professional

Fellow

at

SongFest

in

LA,

soprano

soloist

in

the

world

premiere of Paul John Rudoi’s Sermon on the Mount. Operatic credits include Leah (The Dybbuk – upcoming), Despina (Così fan tutte), St. Teresa of Avila (Four Saints in Three Acts), Bianca (La Rondine), and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro). Sophie holds degrees in Vocal

Performance

from

the

University

of

North

Carolina

Wilmington

(B.M.)

and

the

University of Minnesota (M.M.) Instagram: @sophieamelkin | www.sophieamelkin.com

QUARTERFINALS 1. There is a Balm in Gilead –Traditional - Spirituals 2. Natural Woman – Carole King, Gerry Goffin – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. She Used to be Mine (Waitress) – Sara Bareilles – Musical Theatre

SEMIFINALS 1. Mi Korason (Songs from the Pomegranate Garden) – Ofer Ben Amots – Art Song 2. George (Cabaret Songs) – William Bolcom – Cabaret 3. Make Someone Happy – Jule Styne, Adolph Green, Betty Comden Great American Songbook

FINALS 1. American Tune – Paul Simon - Folk 2. Crazy – Willie Nelson – Country 3. Shallow (A Star Is Born) – Lady Gaga, Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando, Mark Ronson - Hollywood

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

32

JULIE LYN BARBER SOPRANO SPONSORED BY BARB AND SAM MCLAUGHLIN PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Julie Lyn Barber is a Canadian singer, actor & educator based in the U.S. Midwest, where she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Western Kentucky University. across

She

has

Canada

performed,

and

the

U.S.

directed,

including

music

directed

Vancouver’s

and

Theatre

choreographed Under

the

at

Stars,

venues

Oregon’s

Portland Center Stage and Indianapolis’ Phoenix Theatre. Over the past fifteen years her focus has been on family and all aspects of musical and theatrical production in East Central

Indiana.

This

has

included

roles

like

“Gertrude”

in

Hamlet

with

the

Richmond

Shakespeare Festival, singing Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra, and producing and playwriting for IndyFringe and The Nettle Creek Players. Each summer her family band tours Indiana State Parks as The Hot Jazz Preservation Society. She holds degrees

from

Ball

State

University,

Southern

Illinois

University

at

Carbondale

and

the

University of British Columbia

QUARTERFINALS 1. One For My Baby (The Sky’s The Limit) – Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. So You Want To Be A Nun (Nunsense) – Dan Goggin – Musical Theatre 3. Sweet Indiana Home – Walter Donaldson – Americana

SEMIFINALS 1. Up A Lazy River – Hoagy Carmichael, Sidney Arodin – Great American Songbook 2. Brother Can You Spare A Dime (Americana) – Yip Harburg, Jay Gorney - Cabaret 3. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce – Popular Music of 1950-1980

FINALS 1. Le Jazz Hot (Victor/Victoria) – Henry Mancini - Hollywood 2. Cry Me A River – Arthur Hamilton - Jazz 3. Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) – Woody Guthrie, Martin Hoffman - Folk

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

33

JONATHAN CHRISTOPHER BARITONE SPONSORED BY TRICIA AND DAVID GUGGENHEIM PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Praised

for

his

"hearty

baritone"

voice,

Bermudian-Bostonian

Jonathan

Christopher

is

swiftly establishing himself as a premier versatile vocalist in New York City and around the world. In New York, he has performed in critically acclaimed productions at Lincoln Center (Davóne

Tines

and

Michael

Schachter’s

The

Black

Clown),

Signature

Theatre

(Dave

Malloy’s Octet), and Brooklyn Playhouse Theatre (David Chesky’s La Farranucci), and has been seen singing in the world-renowned cabarets of Joe’s Pub, The Duplex, and Don’t Tell Mama. He has been involved with two musicals set to open on Broadway in the coming seasons and has performed in musicals and operas throughout North America, Europe, and the

Caribbean,

including

the

role

of

Collins

in

the

Aruban

premiere

of

the

musical

Rent.Over the years Jonathan has been seen dancing with Diana Ross, working out with Lady

Gaga,

absolute

and,

career

most

and

triumphantly,

personal

singing

highlight

was

with

Celine

hosting

Dion

on

Bermuda’s

the

first

Today

ever

Show!

Pride

in

An

2019

alongside his father, Bermudian Town Crier Ed Christopher. Along with his brother, fellow actor

Nicholas

Christopher,

Jonathan

received

the

prestigious

2020

Best

of

Bermuda

Award. To top it all off, Jonathan is a member of the Hamilton National Tour, understudying Aaron Burr and George Washington and having played the Canadian premiere in Toronto.

With degrees in voice and opera from the University of Michigan and McGill University, Jonathan looks forward to continuing his eclectic and ever-evolving musical journey.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Nature Boy – eden ahbez – Great American Songbook 2. Genius Child – Robert Owens – Art Song 3. Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast) – Alan Menken, Howard Ashman - Hollywood

SEMIFINALS 1. The Greatest Love of All – Michael Masser, Linda Creed – Popular Music of 1950-1980 2. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child – arr. Moses Hogan – Spirituals 3. My Shining Hour – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer

FINALS 1. Honeysuckle Rose – Fats Waller, Andy Razaf - Jazz 2. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) – Don McLean - Folk 3. Dust and Ashes (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812) – Dave Malloy – Musical Theatre

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

34

KERRY CONTE MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY SANDI AND DANIEL SMITH PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Kerry Conte is a New York based singer and actor.

Recently, Kerry can be seen in Meet Me

In St Louis: a performance on screen presented by the Irish Repertory Theatre.

She is best

known for playing Betty Haynes in the national tour of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Kerry

also played Winifred Banks and understudied Mary in the national tour of Mary Poppins.

Her

New

York

credits

include

City

Center

Encores!,

Irish

Repertory

Theatre,

The

York

Theatre, and the 92nd St Y. Kerry has worked regionally at City Springs Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre By The Sea, Music Theatre Wichita/Wichita Symphony, Muny, and

New Lebanon Theatre Barn. Kerry is a company member of An Evening With…Series at

Greenroom 42, created by Blake Allen and can be heard on the debut album.

Kerry holds

a BFA from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Will He Like Me? (She Loves Me) – Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick – Musical Theatre 2. Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me (White Christmas) – Irving Berlin - Hollywood 3. Goody, Goody – Matty Malneck, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer

SEMIFINALS 1. Sidewalks of New York – Charles B. Lawlor, James W Blake - Americana 2. Tennessee Waltz – Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart – Country 3. Will There Really Be A Morning? – Ricky Ian Gordon, Emily Dickinson – Art Song

FINALS 1. Susan’s Dream (Love Life) – Kurt Weill, Alan Jay Lerner – Cabaret 2. You Do Something To Me – Cole Porter – Great American Songbook 3. Blue Skies – Irving Berlin - Jazz

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

35

NICOLE CORRIS SOPRANO SPONSORED BY ARLENE AND ALLAN RATNER PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER

Nicole

Corris

is

a

singer,

actress,

and

costume

designer

based

in

NYC.

Performing

highlights include Wanderlust Theatre Company’s Memory: Los Musicales de Andrew Lloyd Webber

with

Banda

Sinfónica

de

Montevideo,

Uruguay,

The

Wizard

and

I

chorus

for

Stephen Schwartz and the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, and BC/EFA’s 28th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre. Other favorites include Forbidden Broadway: SVU at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, Titanic, The Last 5 Years, and singing around the world on various cruise lines, most recently as a vocalist and synth bass player in classic rock cover band Albatross Air alongside husband Sean Ferguson. Nicole spent three seasons as Inside Broadway’s resident costume designer, creating and building for the NYC public school system. She also works on and off camera in NYC’s tv and film industry,

and

just

wrapped

Season

1

of

HBO

Max’s

new

show

The

Flight

Attendant,

standing in for Kaley Cuoco. Nicole’s journey into classic rock inspired her to give voice to work by women composers all along the musical landscape. Last winter she presented Rock Goddess: The Women Behind the Music at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, highlighting the work of songwriters from Carole King to Taylor Swift. Preparing for this competition encouraged Nicole to expand her exploration of women composers and lyricists across nine genres spanning over one hundred years of American music.

QUARTERFINALS 1. A Pig in the House – Libby Larsen, Alvin Greenberg – Art Song 2. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You – Anne Bredon - Folk 3. I’ll Plant My Own Tree (Valley of the Dolls) – André Previn, Dory Previn - Hollywood

SEMIFINALS 1. Italian Street Song (Naughty Marietta) – Victor Herbert, Rida Johnson Young - Opera 2. If I Didn’t Love You – Lorelei Trepper, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. The Last Song – Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler - Cabaret

FINALS 1. Never (On The Twentieth Century) – Cy Coleman, Betty Comden, Adolph Green – Musical Theatre 2. Hip to be Happy – Ann Hampton Callaway - Jazz 3. Eli’s Comin’ – Laura Nyro – Popular Music of 1950-1980

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

36

MICHELLE COSENTINO MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY MARY ELLEN AND WELLS NUTT PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Michelle is a NYC based singer, voice teacher, and coach.

College

in

Voice

Performance

(classical),

a

MM

from

She holds a BM from Ithaca

New

York

University

in

Musical

Theatre, as well as an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy also from NYU. Michelle has been seen performing around the world with Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as across the US, in shows such as Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, On the Town, & Godspell.

She has

served on faculty at both New York University & New Jersey City University as well as a coach/teacher for Broadway Artists Alliance, Gateway Playhouse, & St. Ignatius Loyola School.

Michelle has a private voice studio based in NYC that has now launched its online

platform,

reaching

students

from

Florida

to

Hawaii.

She

is

always

eager

to

meet

new

students and collaborate with new artists.

QUARTERFINALS 1. One For My Baby – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Vienna – Billy Joel – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. Into the Unknown (Frozen II) – Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez - Hollywood

SEMIFINALS 1. Things Change, Jo (Little Women) – Mark Adamo - Opera 2. Nature Boy – eden ahbez - Jazz 3. Shine Like the Sun – Dolly Parton – Country

FINALS 1. People (Funny Girl) – Bob Merrill, Jule Styne – Great American Songbook 2. So Far Away – Carole King - Folk 3. Meadowlark (The Baker’s Wife) – Stephen Schwartz – Musical Theatre

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

37

MICHELLE DOWDY ALTO SPONSORED BY BEVERLY AND BILL JAQUES PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER

Michelle Dowdy booked a starring role on Broadway the day after she graduated from high school, and has never looked back! She is known as the youngest actress to ever play everyone’s favorite denizen of Baltimore – Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. More recently, you may

have

seen

Michelle

touring

the

country

as

the

Mistress

of

the

House,

Madame

Thenardier, in the National Touring Production of Les Misérables. She has also appeared in the Off-Broadway productions of Marvelous Wonderettes, and Night of the Living Dead (original

concept

recording

available

now!!)

MAC

Entertainer of the year). Her acclaimed debut album,

Award

winner

(2017

Piano

Bar

A BRASS ACT is available on iTunes.

You can find her on social media @howdymissdowdy

QUARTERFINALS 1. I Can Cook, Too (On The Town) – Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adoph Green Musical Theatre 2. Piece of My Heart – Burns and Ragovoy – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. Drinking Again – Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer

SEMIFINALS 1. I’ve Got Your Number – Cy Coleman, Lee – Jazz 2. Jolene – Dolly Parton - Country 3. House of the Rising Sun – Traditional - Folk

FINALS 1. Orange-Colored Sky – Stein, DeLugg – Great American Songbook 2. You Can Have Him – Irving Berlin - Cabaret 3. Stay With Me – Ragovoy, Weiss – Hollywood

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

38

JESSICA FISHENFELD SOPRANO SPONSORED BY JUDY AND WES KRULIC PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR, ASSAF GLEIZNER

American Opera

Soprano

debut

this

Jessica

Fishenfeld,

season

as

Leah

“triumphed”

in

the

World

(NY

Observer)

Premiere

of

in

her

New

Stonewall,

York

with

City

“clean

coloratura,” (Opera News) and “spunky personality” (Opera Wire). Fishenfeld recently won a Semi-Finalist Prize in the 2019 Lotte Lenya Competition, starred in the World Premiere of Love

Sick

at

National

Sawdust,

returned

as

featured

soloist

at

Carnegie/Zankel

Hall,

performed at NYC’s Birdland Jazz Club, and returned to Helena Symphony as soprano soloist in Carmina Burana. Since her residency with Palm Beach Opera, where she sang the roles of Norina (Don Pasquale), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Najade (Ariade auf Naxos),

and

soloist,

appeared

covered

Gilda

with

(Rigoletto),

both

the

she

Helena

made

her

Symphony

Carnegie/Zankel and

Southeastern

Hall

debut

as

Pennsylvania

Symphony in Bernstein 100!, sang with international orchestras in St. Bart’s, Xalapa, and Morelia, created the role of Kim in Big Jim & the Small-Time Investors (Gramercy Opera), sang

May

Fielding

in

the

North

American

premiere

of

Il

grillo

del

focolare

(Teatro

Grattacielo), and was a 2017 Career Bridges Grant Winner. She created and hosts “Alive & Kicking,” a new web series featuring new American opera. www.jessicafishenfeld.com

QUARTERFINALS 1. The Song with the Violins – John Bucchino - Cabaret 2. He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands – arr. Margaret Bonds - Spirituals 3. I Got Rhythm – George and Ira Gershwin - Jazz

SEMIFINALS 1. I Wanna Be Around – Johnny Mercer, Sadie Vimmerstedt – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Leslie’s Aria (Companionship) – Rachel Peters - Opera 3. When You Believe (The Prince of Egypt) – Stephen Schwartz- Hollywood

FINALS 1. Dream With Me (Peter Pan) – Leonard Bernstein – Musical Theatre 2. Stormy Weather/Get Happy – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler - Blues 3. Climb Ev’ry Mountain (The Sound of Music) – Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II – Great American Songbook

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

39

SARAH FOLSOM MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY GAIL AND MICHAEL SIEGEL PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Sarah Folsom is a professional vocalist based in Cincinnati, OH. At home in jazz, pop, and musical theatre, Sarah is a sought-after performer in clubs, theaters, and concert halls across the region. Best known for her celebrated performances of vintage American pop, Sarah’s personally curated concerts feature the music of Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Nina Simone, Skeeter Davis, Big Maybelle, Patsy Cline and more. She is a Founding Artistic Director and Principal Artist with the Queen City Cabaret, a concert series and nonprofit arts organization that brings performances of locally-inspired jazz and pop music to the Cincinnati area. Additionally, Sarah works as a musical activist and believes in the power of music to bring communities together and promote societal reform. She most recently organized a week-long, virtual music festival for Women’s Equality Day, raising funds to fight voter suppression. A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Sarah completed her Master’s degree at the College-Conservatory of Music in 2015 and currently maintains a private teaching studio of professional and amateur vocalists. She lives with her fiancée, Amy, and their cats, Otis Redding and Marshmallow, near downtown Cincinnati.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Air Conditioner – Christine Lavin - Cabaret 2. Skylark – Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. Your Cheatin’ Heart

- Hank Williams - Country

SEMIFINALS 1. I Wish It So (Juno) – Marc Blitzstein – Musical Theatre 2. Black Coffee -Paul Francis Webster, Sonny Burke - Jazz 3. The Joke – Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Dave Cobb, Tim Hanseroth – Folk *Self accompanied

FINALS 1. I’m Beginning to See the Light – Don George, Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, Harry James – Great American Songbook 2. The End of the World – Arthur Kent, Sylvia Dee – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus – Leon René - Blues

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

40

MEGAN GALLAGHER SOPRANO SPONSORED BY STARR HAGENMEYER PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Megan is a multi genre vocalist and actress who has recorded and performed across state and

country

lines.

She

which features her on Williamson

Voices.

relationships

with

is

grateful

for

her

young

but

substantial

solo

recording

career,

numerous albums of The Same Stream Choir and The Westminster

These living

opportunities

composers

have

here

in

gifted

the

U.S.

her

meaningful

and

abroad.

and

Megan

collaborative is

passionate

about cross genre excellence and divine story telling. A few of her favorite theater credits include her role as Florinda in (Emmy, Grammy, and Tony award winning) John McDaniel’s Into The Woods, Walnut

Street

starring

Theaters’

Alice

Ripley

production

and

of

Mellissa

Annie.

Errico,

Megan

has

along also

with

her

enjoyed

a

debut

in

concert

The and

cabaret career in NYC, performing at such venues as 54 Below and The Green Room 42.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Cockeyed Optimist (South Pacific) – Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II – Great American Songbook 2. Miss Otis Regrets – Cole Porter – Cabaret 3. How Glory Goes (Floyd Collins) – Adam Guettel – Musical Theatre

SEMIFINALS 1. My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder – Popular Music of 1950-1980 2. Dream – Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. Runaway – Ricky Ian Gordon – Art Song

FINALS 1. I Get Along Without You Very Well – Hoagy Carmichael - Jazz 2. They Just Keep Moving The Line (Smash) – Marc Shaiman - Hollywood 3. Art Is Calling For Me (The Enchantress) – Victor Herbert – Opera

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

41

BETH ALLEN-GARDNER SOPRANO SPONSORED BY HEDY AND MICHAEL FAWCETT PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Beth Allen-Gardner has been finalist in both the Bach Vocal Competition for American Singers and the Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition, as well as semifinalist in the Rochester Oratorio Society’s Classical Idol Competition and winner of UNC-Chapel Hill’s concerto competition. An active concert singer, Beth has spent the majority of her career focusing on oratorio. Recent performances include Mozart's Coronation Mass, Bach's Magnificat, Handel's

Judas

Maccabaeus

and

Messiah,

Orff's

Carmina

Burana,

Beethoven's

Choral

Fantasy and Mass in C, Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle, and Charpentier's Messe de Minuit pour Noël. On the opera and musical theatre stages, Beth has played Despina in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte and the second sister in Giannini’s Beauty and the Beast, and most recently created the role of the Unknown Maiden in Chuck Holdeman's opera Young Meister Bach as

well

musicals

as

the

roles

Special

Pedagogy

and

of

and her

Julie

and

Amamus,

Eurydice

in

respectively.

Post-Baccalaureate

recital Beth

presentations

holds

Certificate

in

her

of

Master

Music

Kip

of

Nelson’s

Music

Education

new

in

Vocal

from

UNC-

Greensboro as well as her Bachelor of Music with distinction in Voice Performance from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is a recent graduate of Germany's Sankt Goar International Music Academy, and has been teaching voice and piano lessons for twelve years. She is grateful to her support system of family and mentors who have encouraged and guided her.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Spring (Six Elizabethan Songs) – Dominick Argento – Art Song 2. My Funny Valentine (Babes in Arms) – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart – Great American Songbook 3. A Change in Me (Beauty and the Beast) – Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice - Cabaret

SEMIFINALS 1. Deep River – Arr. Moses Hogan – Spirituals 2. Blue Skies – Irving Berlin - Jazz 3. Audition Song (La La Land) – Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul - Hollywood

FINALS 1. You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel) – Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II – Musical Theatre 2. Light of a Clear Blue Morning – Dolly Parton – Gospel 3. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder – Popular Music of 1950-1980

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

42

ISABELLE HAM MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY TRISH AND GIFF LORENZ PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Isabelle Ham is a dynamic, young mezzo soprano who has been bringing her powerhouse vocals

to

Savannah

stages

for

twelve

of

her

18

years!

She

is

a

versatile

singer

who

gravitated towards jazz standards at an early age under the tutelage of her long-term coach,

Julie

Artists

Wilde.

Alliance

Savannah

Isabelle

Intensive

also

trained

Program

in

in

New

voice, York

theater

City.

She

and

dance

was

a

at

cast

the

Broadway

member

of

the

Theater’s Christmas Traditions Series and a featured soloist for the Savannah

Sand Gnats, The Savannah Bananas, The Rock n Roll Marathon, the SCDS Jazz Band and the

Savannah

Antiques

&

Architecture

Gala.

Isabelle

has

performed

with

the

elite

of

Savannah jazz musicians and in numerous vocal showcases at The Mansion on Forsyth Park, Brockington Hall and Tybee Post Theater. She was recently featured in Chatham County Living magazine as a “true polymath.” In addition to her musical

accomplishments,

Isabelle has received accolades in soccer and as the first female athlete on the SCDS Football

team.

With

a

strong

interest

in

laryngology,

she

is

currently

on

an

academic

scholarship at The College of Charleston in Charleston, SC

QUARTERFINALS 1. They Can’t Take That Away From Me (Shall We Dance) – George Gerswhin, Ira Gerswhin – Great American Songbook 2. Skylark – Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer – Hollywood 3. Sweet Georgia Brown – Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard, Kenneth Casey - Jazz

SEMIFINALS 1. Something’s Gotta Give (Daddy Long Legs) – Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon - Gospel 3. Alto’s Lament – Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler – Cabaret

FINALS 1. Every Day I Have the Blues – Aaron “Pinetop” Sparks, Milton Sparks, Memphis Slim (rework) - Blues 2. The Joke – Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth, Dave Cobb – Americana 3. For Once In My Life – Ron Miller, Orlando Murden – Popular Music of 1950-1980

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

43

HEATHER JONES MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY DAN RIZZO AND SILVIO TRIONI PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Heather Jones (she/they) is a Carolina-born and Brooklyn-based mezzo soprano. Before quarantine, Heather was the alto soloist for Handel’s Messiah with the Sequoia Symphony, joined Opera Philadelphia for Verdi’s Requiem, premiered Michael Genese’s Feeld Songs for

choir

and

harp,

and

produced

a

gender-fluid

adaptation

of

Rodgers

and

Hammerstein’s Cinderella titled Happily Never After. In the spring and summer, Heather was

slated

to

perform

the

role

of

Ada

Lovelace

in

Kamala

Sankaram’s

opera

The

Enchantress with New Camerata Opera, workshop and premiere a new opera with UC Santa Cruz, and join NYC’s Voices of Ascension for Bach’s B Minor Mass. Heather has participated in several virtual and socially distanced concerts, recitals, and cabarets. At home in NYC, Heather premiered Brad Balliet’s performance piece with Sign & Sing ASL titled

The

Universal

Drum,

written

for

two

singers,

two

Deaf

actors,

and

27-piece

percussion. Heather has been in workshops and productions with American Lyric Theatre, New

Camerata

Opera,

and

ChamberQUEER.

She

has

made

regional

debuts

singing

traditional repertoire, including Cendrillon with Opera Company of Middlebury (Dorothée) The Magic Flute with Opera Louisiane (Second Lady), Le nozze di Figaro (Cherubino) and La

liberazione

di

Ruggiero

(Alcina)

with

dell'Arte

Opera

Ensemble,

Die

Fledermaus

(Orlofsky) and Hänsel und Gretel (Hänsel) with Sinfonietta Nova; and internationally in Lebanon singing Dvorak's Mass in D at the American University of Beirut. When she's not onstage,

she’s

often

riding

her

bike,

tending

to

her

houseplants,

or

making

handmade

items for the small business that she co-owns, Fulton Goods. heatherjonesmezzo.com

QUARTERFINALS 1. What A Movie! (Trouble in Tahiti) – Leonard Bernstein - Opera 2. When She Loved Me (Toy Story 2) – Randy Newman - Hollywood 3. Down With Love – Harold Arlen - Jazz

SEMIFINALS 1. Animal Passion – Jake Heggie – Art Song 2. Too Marvelous for Words – Richard Whiting, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. I Could Be Jewish For you – Nikko Benson – Cabaret

FINALS 1. I’ll Be Seeing You – Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal – Great American Songbook 2. Times They Are A Changin – Bob Dylan - Folk 3. As We Stumble Along (The Drowsy Chaperone) – Lisa Lambert, Greg Morrison – Musical Theatre

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

44

WILL LIVERMAN BARITONE SPONSORED BY NAOMI AND BARRY COHEN PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Called “one of the most versatile singing artists performing today” (Bachtrack), baritone Will Liverman will star in the Met Opera’s reopening production of Fire Shut Up In My Bones in fall 2021 in addition to reprising his roles in Akhnaten (Horemhab) and The Magic Flute (Papageno)

during

the

Met’s

21-22

season.

In

the

2020-2021

season,

Liverman

is

scheduled to make his debut at LA Opera as Leporello in Don Giovanni and appear in a solo recital at The Kennedy Center. He is the recipient of the 2020 Marian Anderson Vocal Award, and additionally recently received a 2019 Richard Tucker Career Grant and Sphinx Medal of Excellence. His new opera, The Factotum— a reimagining of The Barber of Seville —will be developed in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago this year. Performance highlights

include

the

Metropolitan

Opera’s

holiday

production

of

The

Magic

Flute,

in

addition to its premiere of Akhnaten; The Barber of Seville (Figaro) with Seattle Opera, Virginia Opera, and Madison Opera; Pagliacci (Silvio) with Opera Colorado; The Love of Three

Oranges

(Pantalone)

with

Opera

Philadelphia;

Charlie

Parker’s

Yardbird

(Dizzy

Gillespie) with Opera Philadelphia and English National Opera; The Little Prince (The Pilot) with Tulsa Opera; and La bohème (Schaunard) with Opera Philadelphia, Santa Fe Opera, and Dallas Opera.

QUARTERFINALS 1. If Ever I Would Leave You/All The Things You Are (Camelot/Very Warm for May) – Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II – Great American Songbook 2. Song of Black Max (as told by the de Kooning boys (Cabaret Songs) – William Bolcom - Cabaret 3. At The River – Aaron Copland - Religious

SEMIFINALS 1. Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Fats Waller – Jazz 2. He’ll Bring It To Pass – Hall Johnson, Arr. Joseph Joubert – Spirituals 3. Batter My Heart (Doctor Atomic) – John Adams – Opera

FINALS 1. Rain – Shawn Okpebholo – Art Song 2. Soliloquy (Carousel) – Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II – Musical Theatre 3. The End of the World – Arthur Kent – Country

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

45

WENDY MARCK SOPRANO SPONSORED BY CAROL AND MARC TATE PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Wendy Marck, received her BM from the University of Illinois with a full scholarship. While there, she worked toward a computer science degree and began studying the physics of sound and acoustic analysis software. She performed the role of Johanna in the Broadway National Tour of Sweeney Todd and traveled to over 50 countries while performing in the Show Room at Sea for Holland America Line. She has also performed leading roles with esteemed companies such as Music By The Lake and Ohio Light Opera. As a soloist, she has sung with the CU Symphony, Roanoke Symphony, and appeared twice as a guest artist for Liberty University. As a teacher, she has devoted herself to the study of voice science.

Her focus is the study of the vocal mechanism as it relates to various styles of singing.

While touring with Sweeney Todd she gave master classes around the country and has given

master

belting

at

the

classes NATS

at

Liberty

regional

University.

conference

Last

year

topical

she

presented

breakfast.

She

on

the

performs

science

and

of

teaches

privately in Champaign, IL where she lives with her husband and three children.

QUARTERFINALS 1. The Letter Song (Ballad of Baby Doe) – Douglas Moore - Opera 2. Dream A Little Dream Of Me – Fabian Andre, Wilbu Schwandt, Gus Kahn - Jazz 3. Defying Gravity (Wicked) – Stephen Schwartz – Musical Theatre

SEMIFINALS 1. I Won’t Mind – Jeff Blumenkrantz - Cabaret 2. When A Woman Loves a Man –Johnny Mercer, Gordon Jenkins and Bernie Hanighen – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. Stripes – Brandy Clark - Country

FINALS 1. Come Ready and See Me – Richard Hundley – Art Song 2. Stormy Money – T-Bone Walker - Blues 3. We Shall Behold Him – Dottie Rambo - Religious

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

46

TREVOR MARTIN BARITONE SPONSORED BY KATHIE AND LES ANDERSON PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Trevor Martin is a versatile actor, singer, and musician currently based in GA, serving as an adjunct Professor of Voice at Georgia Southern University. The 2019 winner of the Lotte Lenya

Competition,

Trevor

has

performed

at

many

regional

theaters

theater and operetta roles. Highlights include: Sweeney Todd

in

various

musical

(Sweeney Todd), Beauty

and the Beast (Beast), Guys & Dolls (Sky Masterson), HMS Pinafore

(Ralph Rackstraw), and

The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp. He has been a part of regional

premiere operas

such as: When Adonis Calls (Muse), TESLA (Mark Twain), Buried Alive (Victor cover), JFK (JFK cover), Amelia (Paul), and Voir Dire (Baritone Roles). He created the role of John in a new opera entitled Legendary, which has been workshopped with the AMERICAN OPERA PROJECT, and is hoping for a premiere in 2021. He has performed

masterworks, chamber

music and pops concerts around the U.S. with ensembles such as: Fort Orchestra, Ensemble Échappé, Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, Barry Southern

Crescent

Chorale,

and

Opera

North.

Trevor

also

commercial/print modeling and and is a budding Voiceover and

guitarist,

and

is

proud

to

support

many

social

justice

has

Worth Symphony

University Chorale, made

a

career

in

artist. He is an avid pianist reform

organizations.

currently serves on the board of multiple Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

He

Committees for

different theaters, and is committed to these ideals in all aspects of the theater

and

academic worlds. TrevorMartin.net

QUARTERFINALS 1. Simple Song (MASS) – Leonard Bernstein - Religious 2. How Glory Goes (Floyd Collins) – Adam Guettel – Musical Theatre 3. Ride On, King Jesus – Arr. Hall Johnson - Spirituals

SEMIFINALS 1. The Muse – Chris Wood, Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers) - Folk 2. It’s Great To Be Alive – Robert E. Dolan, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. I’m A Lucky Man (JFK) – David T. Little, Royce Vavrek – Opera

FINALS 1. Last Letter Home – Lee Hoiby – Art Song 2. Go The Distance (Hercules) – Alan Menken, David Zippel - Hollywood 3. Georgia On My Mind – Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell – Great American Songbook

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

47

EMILY NICHOLAS MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY DIANA LANGER PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER

Emily Nicholas is a mezzo soprano from New York City. Her voice and original music has been praised by V Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Bitch Media, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, and

“Death+Taxes” music blog. As Emily Danger, Nicholas’ original single “War Torn”

was featured in a Wall Street Journal fashion video staring Gigi Hadid. Emily has toured throughout the United States and Canada, played festivals such as South by Southwest, CMJ, and Meadows Festival. Her original music can be found on all online platforms. Emily attended

Otterbein

Westerville,

Ohio

College’s

before

musical

transferring

to

theater Azusa

conservatory

Pacific

training

University

for

program

her

BA

in

in

vocal

performance. While in college, she starred as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro and sang

Juliette (Romeo et Juliette) with the APU symphony. After college, Emily attended the

Manhattan School of Music for her MM in classical voice. She has sung with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Songfest, the opera theater at MSM and was featured in Marilyn Horne’s

master

class

series.

Emily

has

starred

in

Nunsense,

Kiss

Me

Kate,

Scarlett

Pimpernel, Bye Bye Birdie, Guys & Dolls, Godspell and many more. She has studied variety

of

voice

specialists

such

as:

Don

Lawrence

(Lady

Gaga,

Steven

Tyler),

with a Melissa

Cross (the “scream” queen), Marilyn Horne, and Matthew Anchel. Her most beloved role is that of a future music therapist and current voice teacher. She will obtain her MS degree in music therapy from SUNY New Paltz this spring and has taught students who have gone on to Broadway, national tours, TV and film. She currently works as a music therapy intern at Mount Sinai Hospital and teaches from home with her beloved husband, Joe.

QUARTERFINALS 1. I Have Dreamt (Wuthering Heights) – Bernard Herrmann - Opera 2. The Joke – Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, Dave Cobb - Folk 3. If I loved you (Carousel) – Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II – Great American Songbook

SEMIFINALS 1. Some People (Gypsy) – Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim – Musical Theatre 2. If You Were Mine – Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. Purple Rain – Prince – Hollywood

FINALS 1. The Red Dress – Ricky Ian Gordon – Art Song 2. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia – Bobby Russell - Country 3. Let’s Get It on – Marvin Gaye – Popular Music of 1950-1980

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

48

GILAD PAZ TENOR SPONSORED BY CAROL AND JOEL GREENBERG PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER, WILSON SOUTHERLAND

Gilad’s musical career has encompassed a wide scope of performance environments and styles, highlighting his vocal abilities in different genres. Having listened to both popular and classical music growing up, he always looks for ways to incorporate both genres into his

artistic

life

and

has

most

recently

done

so

as

co-founder

and

performer

in

VOCE

NOVA. This crossover duo combines the luxury of opera with the excitement of classic and contemporary pop music, and was featured on season 15 of America’s Got Talent! Some of Gilad’s favorite performance highlights include Tony in West Side Story, Tenor soloist in Britten’s

War

Requiem,

Carmina

Burana,

Beethoven’s

Songfest, Tom Rakewell in The Rake’s Progress, fille

du

régiment,

Scaramuccio,

productions of Ariadne auf Naxos,

the

Ninth

Symphony,

and

Bernstein’s

Mayor Upfold in Albert Herring, Tonio in La

Tanzmeister,

and

Brighella

in

three

different

Princ in Rusalka, Judas in Judas Maccabaeus, and the

Witch in Hänsel & Gretel. Gilad grew up between the NYC metro area and Ra’anana, Israel and is the recipient of multiple scholarships from the Ronen

Foundation of America.

In 2016 Gilad debuted OPROCK™, a unique symphony pops concert that combines the greatest hits of opera with the greatest hits of classic rock. The stage is his second home, and

no

matter

the

venue,

even

if

the

performance

is

virtual,

he

always

looks

to

give

audiences an exhilarating show!

QUARTERFINALS 1. Maria (West Side Story) – Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim – Musical Theatre 2. I Ain’t Marching Anymore -Phil Ochs - Folks 3. Iris (City of Angels) – John Rzeznik - Hollywood

SEMIFINALS 1. Simple Song (MASS) – Leonard Bernstein - Religious 2. Dream On – Steven Tyler – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. Lonely House (Street Scene) – Kurt Weill - Opera

FINALS 1. The Isle is Full of Noises – Joel Mandelbaum – Art Song 2. The Impossible Dream/Go The Distance (Man of La Mancha/Hercules) – Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion, Alan Menken, David Zippel – Cabaret 3. Red House – Jimi Hendrix - Blues

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

49

BRITTANY PROIA SOPRANO SPONSORED BY PATRICIA MILLER WANN AND JIM WANN PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER

Brittany Proia (she/her) is Hudson Valley based actor, producer, director, and educator.

Currently, she teaches Acting and Voice & Speech at the State University of New York at New Paltz; School of Fine and Performing Arts. As a producer, Brittany is passionate about the development of new theatrical voices in the regional theatre movement and is a proud member of The Ring of Keys; a national network of queer women, trans, and gender

non-conforming

artists.

From

2017

to

January

2020,

Brittany

served

as

the

Founding Co-Artistic Director and Managing Director of DENIZEN Theatre. Brittany has helped develop new work with The Musical Theatre Factory, The PiTCH at Rev Theatre Co, NYMF, BMI and is currently co-producing the world premiere play BLOOM BLOOM POW by Genevieve Simon, directed by Katherine Wilkinson which is slated to open Off Broadway performer,

as

part

Brittany

of

the

has

Corkscrew

worked

Theatre

regionally

and

Festival

in

the

Off-Broadway

summer

of

at

institutions

such

2021.

As

a

as:

New Jersey Rep, The York Theatre Company, Peterborough Players, Urbanite Theatre, IRT Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Nebraska Shakespeare, Bakerloo Theatre Project, Ozark Actors Theatre, Frog and Peach Theatre Company, and The Rev Theatre Co. She also writes/performs original music solo and with the duo group 'The Britts.' As a singer, she’s been seen at such concert venues as 54 Below, Rockwood Music Hall, Don't Tell Mama, MTF, and as a semi-finalist at The American Traditions Competition.

Brittany

has also written and performed her own solo cabaret shows regionally and in NYC. She holds an MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, a Bachelor of Music from New York University’s Steinhardt School. www.brittanyproia.art

QUARTERFINALS 1. Bluebirds in my Belfry (And the Angels Sing) – Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke - Hollywood 2. Blues in the Night – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. Natural Woman – Carole King, Gerry Goffin – Popular Music of 1950-1980

SEMIFINALS 1. Moments in the Woods (Into the Woods) – Stephen Sondheim – Musical Theatre 2. Blame It On My Youth – Oscar Levant, Edward Heyman - Jazz 3. Loud Talkin’ Woman – Helen Humes, Joseph Jarmon - Blues

FINALS 1. Fancy – Bobbie Gentry - Country 2. Sondheim Medley – Stephen Sondheim – Cabaret 3. He’s Gone Away – Traditional - Folk

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

50

DEE ROSCIOLI MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY TRICIA AND DAVID GUGGENHEIM PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER

Dee Roscioli calls NYC home, but she has travelled the world as a singer and actor and is originally from Easton, PA. Dee is best known for her 7 year record-breaking run as Elphaba in the smash Broadway hit Wicked, where she led the Broadway, Chicago, San Francisco and 1st National Touring Companies. Most recently, Dee was seen on Broadway in The Cher Show portraying the pop icon herself as both Star and Lady Cher. Dee was profoundly honored to perform with her “Cher Show” cast members on the 2019 Tony Awards. In 2015 she was invited into the closing company of the Broadway revival of Fiddler On The Roof playing the mischievous Fruma

Sarah,

which

was

was

filmed

and

archived

for

the

prestigious

Lincoln

Center’s

performance library. Dee has also had the privilege of creating the role of Emily in John Kander’s new

musical

Kid

Victory,

where

she

was

directed

by

the

incomparable

Liesl

Tommy.

This

production went on to have a critically acclaimed run at the Vineyard Theatre in NYC and she can also be heard on the Original Cast Recording, which is available on iTunes. In addition to her theatre credits, she has performed twice as a headlining artist with the incomparable Philly Pops and has also headlined for the Boulder Philharmonic, Brazos Valley Symphony, Pennsylvania Philharmonic,

South

Bend

Symphony,

Corpus

Christi

Symphony,

Missouri

Symphony,

Desert

Symphony, as well as the International Music Festival in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic and return concert engagements in Taipei, Taiwan. She has also created her solo show for the legendary Birdland Jazz, 54 Below and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival cabaret series.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Don’t Rain On My Parade (Funny Girl) – Jule Styne, Bob Merrill - Hollywood 2. Blue Bayou – Roy Orbison, Joe Melson - Folk 3. Ring Them Bells (Liza with a Z) – Fred Ebb, John Kander - Cabaret

SEMIFINALS 1. How Do I Live (Con Air) – Diane Warren – Country 2. After You’ve Gone – Turner Layton, Henry Creamer - Jazz 3. Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer

FINALS 1. Out of the Blue (The Wild Party) – Andrew Lippa – Musical Theatre 2. I’ll Know (Guys and Dolls) – Frank Loesser – Great American Songbook 3. All By Myself – Eric Carmen – Popular Music of 1950-1980

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

51

ANDREA ROSS SOPRANO SPONSORED BY SUSAN AND JOHN KLEINE PIANIST: ASSAF GLEIZNER

Andrea Ross began her stage career in her hometown of Boston, where she was the youngest recipient

of

the

prestigious

Elliot

Norton

Award

for

Outstanding

Actress.

She

caught

the

attention of Andrew Lloyd Webber, who mentored her and produced her solo album, Moon River, with Universal Classics and Jazz. Ms. Ross has performed at prominent venues in the UK including the Royal Albert Hall, Hampton Court Palace, St. Martin-In-The-Fields, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sydmonton Festival, and Wembley Stadium where she was a guest artist for Concert for Diana, honoring Princess Diana. Andrea originated the lead role of ‘Swallow’ in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s US national tour of Whistle Down The Wind. She most recently understudied and performed as 'Maria' in the national tour of The Sound of Music, directed by Jack O’Brien and music directed

by Andy Einhorn. Ms. Ross has performed as a soloist with top symphony orchestras including the Boston Pops, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Symphony Orchestra, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, and the NY Philharmonic for the Live From Lincoln Center concerts of Company and One Singular Sensation: Celebrating Marvin Hamlisch. Ms. Ross performed her solo cabaret in New York City at Feinstein's 54 Below. This past year, Andrea was featured at the esteemed 92nd Street Y in New York City for Lyrics and Lyricists: Jerry Herman, You I Like. Upcoming highlights include a performance of Jerry Herman: You I Like for Pasadena Playhouse’s 2020-2021 virtual season and a solo performance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in March 2021.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Meadowlark (The Baker’s Wife) – Stephen Schwartz – Musical Theatre 2. Bill (Showboat) – Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II – Great American Songbook 3. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore – Duke Ellington - Jazz

SEMIFINALS 1. Shenandoah – Trad.

- Americana

2. Love’s In Need Of Love Today – Stevie Wonder – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon - Gospel

FINALS 1. I Remember You – Victor Schertzinger, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Carolina In My Mind – James Taylor – Country 3. Almost Like Being in Love/This Can’t Be Love (Brigadoon/The Boys from Syracuse) – Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart – Cabaret

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

52

LISA ST. LOU SOPRANO SPONSORED BY DIANA AND STEVE GRAHAM PIANIST: TOR HYAMS

Lisa St. Lou is a Brooklyn-based writer/performer who has appeared in the Broadway and 2nd National Touring companies of The Producers as Hold Me Touch Me and Lick Me Bite Me. Other New York credits include co-writing and originating the role of Ivanka in the off-Broadway production of The 1st Annual Trump Family opposite Gina Gershon, debuting the role of Marie Tovesky in the world premiere production of O Pioneers! (The Producers' Club), starring in Mock Your World at The Zipper Theatre and Ars Nova, and co-writing/performing her one-woman event, LIFE. Who Knew? at Joe’s Pub and Feinstein’s 54 Below, which went on to play sold-out performances in St. Louis (The Gaslight Cabaret Festival) and Manalapan, Florida (Palm Beaches Theatre). Regional credits include Guys and Dolls (Sarah), Chicago (Velma), Fiddler on the Roof (Tzeitel), Once on This Island (Erzulie), Phantom (Christine), Swinging on a Star, The Mikado (The Huntington Theatre), Lend Me a Tenor (American Stage Festival) and Master Class (opposite Lucie Arnaz). With her writing partner, Tor Hyams, Lisa has written plays and several stage musicals, including the Broadway-bound Green Acres, Stealing Time (NYMF 2012), Untitled, The Musical (commissioned by Theatrical Rights Worldwide), Howie D: Back In The Day (2020 world premiere at The Rose Theatre in Omaha, NE), and Senior Living (2021 world premiere at Portland Stage in Portland, ME.) Lisa most recently co-wrote and recorded an album with Howie D. of the Backstreet Boys entitled Which One Am I? and her debut soul album, Ain’t No Good Man will be released on February 12, 2021 through Saguaro Road Records (featuring soul legends Irma Thomas and Cyril Neville). Lisa has a Master’s of Music in vocal performance from Boston University, participated in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, The Johnny Mercer Colony in association with Goodspeed Opera House, and is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Don’t Rain On My Parade (Funny Girl) – Jule Styne, Bob Merrill – Musical Theatre 2. The Ladies Who Lunch (Company) -

Stephen Sondheim - Cabaret

3. Georgia On My Mind – Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell – Popular Music of 1950-1980

SEMIFINALS 1. I Had Myself a True Love – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette, Billy Sherrill – Country 3. St. Louis Blues -W. C. Handy – Blues

FINALS 1. Maniac (Flashdance) – Michael Sambello, Dennis Matkosky

- Hollywood

2. Here I Am Again – Lisa St. Lou, Tor Hyams - Jazz 3. Precious Lord Take My Hand – Thomas A. Dorsey – Gospel

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

53

ANASTASIA TALLEY SOPRANO SPONSORED BY BARBARA RUDDY PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Anastasia Talley is a dynamic soprano whose versatility has allowed her to successfully perform opera, art song, concert work, jazz, and musical theatre. Since relocating to New York City, Anastasia has become a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Tony-winning premiere

of

ensemble, Public

Broadway

Works’

Inspirational

Hercules.

She

was

Voices—recently

seen

most

featured

recently

as

a

in

the

vocalist

world in

the

Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall alongside the dazzling Rockettes. Her love for music and vocal precision have provided many opportunities, such as the role of Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica, Deena in Dreamgirls, Trix in The Drowsy Chaperone, and a Dynamite in Hairspray.

Gracing

iconic

stages

such

as

Carnegie

Hall

and

the

Kennedy

Center, Anastasia is an accomplished performer who has been a featured background vocalist for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the Today Show, and Tony Award-winning artists such as Patti LuPone, Reneé Elise Goldsberry, and Jason Robert Brown. Anastasia was raised in Mississippi where her passions for music, singing, and performance were born.

She

went

on

to

pursue

her

bachelor’s

degree

at

the

University

of

Southern

Mississippi. Upon receipt of her Bachelor of Music Education she further honed her craft of classical

voice

and

earned

her

Master

of

Music

and

Performer

Diploma

in

Vocal

Performance from the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Misty – Errol Garner - Jazz 2. Pastorale – Aaron Copland – Art Song 3. Up To The Mountain – Patty Griffin - Country

SEMIFINALS 1. You Are So Beautiful – Bruce Fisher, Billy Preston - Folk 2. Love Me Like A Man – Chris Smither - Blues 3. Your Daddy’s Son (Ragtime) – Stephen Flaherty – Lynn Ahrens – Musical Theatre

FINALS 1. Superstition – Stevie Wonder – Popular Music of 1950-1980 2. I Am Light – India.arie - Cabaret 3. Ride Up In The Chariot – Betty Jackson King – Spirituals

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

54

JASON WEISINGER TENOR SPONSORED BY DANNY COHEN PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

Jason

Weisinger

is

a

music

director,

composer/orchestrator,

performer,

and

educator

based

in

Brooklyn, NY. As a music director, Jason has supervised various new musicals at The Met Cloisters, The Goodman Theatre, The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and Pace New Musicals for artists such as Kate Douglas & Shayfer James, Jae Broderick, Dianne Nora & Emily Gardner Xu Hall, and Eric Sorrels & Cheeyang Ng. Jason’s orchestrations have been performed by members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, GRAMMY-winning ensemble The Crossing, and various Broadway pit orchestras. His work is featured on the podcast [insert movie here]: The Musical!, available on iTunes and Spotify. As a composer, Jason has workshopped two musicals in the BMI Workshop (Brazil and Operation Migration); both collaborations with writer Kate Douglas. His setting of ee cummings’ i carry your heart received 2nd-place at the 2016 Sparks & Wiry Cries NYC songSLAM. Jason has sung on stage with Andy Einhorn, Kate Baldwin, Stephanie Blythe, Donald Nally, Dawn Upshaw, and Mark Morris.

He has performed with many ensembles including The Boston POPS, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, New York

Philharmonic Orchestra, American Classical Orchestra, The Crossing, Choir of

Trinity Wall Street, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. His voice appears on The Crossing’s 2019 GRAMMY nominated album The Arc in the Sky. Jason has taught classes and voice lessons at The New School - Mannes Opera, The Neighborhood Playhouse, and the University of Cincinnati - CCM. He has also held a private voice/piano/music theory studio for 10 years, teaching remotely for the past 3 years.

Jason enjoys taking breaks from writing by playing Overwatch, meticulously budgeting for Seamless, and rewatching episodes of Naruto with his partner Jacqueline and their bossy cat Frank. SoundCloud: JasonWeisinger IG: @jasonweisinger TikTok: @_jasonweisinger_

QUARTERFINALS 1. Mi Shebeirach – Debbie Friedman - Religious 2. Come Rain or Come Shine – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 3. You’ll Be Back (Hamilton) – Lin-Manuel Miranda – Musical Theatre

SEMIFINALS 1. For All We Know (Lovers and Other Strangers) – Fred Karlin, Robb Royer, and Jimmy Griffin - Hollywood 2. Embrace (Another Reason Why I Don’t Keep A Gun in the House) – Tom Cipullo – Art Song 3. Is Belief a Gift (Elmer Gantry) – Robert Aldridge - Opera

FINALS 1. The Farmer’s Curst Wife (American Folk Song Settings) – arr. Steven Mark Kohn - Folk 2. Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Bob Crew, Bob Gaudio – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. It Is Well With My Soul – Horatio Spafford, Philip Paul Bliss - Gospel

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

55

DAVID YOUNG TENOR SPONSORED BY KATHIE AND LES ANDERSON PIANIST: DAVID SHENTON

David

Young

Greencastle,

is

a

native

of

Houston,

Texas

and

a

graduate

of

DePauw

University

in

Indiana. Before college, he began voice lessons when he was eight years-old

and has participated

in scores of musicals and plays in school and at the Bay Area Theatre

and Voice Academy. At DePauw he studied with Caroline Smith, where his previous roles include Il Principe (La belle dormente), Monty Navarro (A Gentleman’s Guide), Prince Charmant (Cendrillon), and Don

Basilio (Le nozze di Figaro). David was also a winner of the 2017 & 2019

DePauw University Concerto Competitions. Last summer, David was a part of The College Light Opera Company’s Vocal Company, where he performed Captain Corcoran (H.M.S. Pinafore), Sir Francis (Where’s Charley), Conrad Birdie (Bye Bye Birdie), George Banks (Mary Poppins), and Sir Roderic (Ruddigore). In the summer of 2018, he sang Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus at Opera in the Ozarks, where he was the youngest person to ever perform a lead role in one of their mainstage operas. In 2019, he won 1st Place in the musical theater division of the Hal Leonard

National

Vocal

Competition.

Throughout

2020,

he

has

competed

in

several

competitions, achieving first place in the Opera Grand Rapids Competition, 1st Place in the TriState College Vocal Competition, 1st Place in the Classical Division of the NATS National Competition, and 2nd Place in the Classical Division of the Classical Singer Competition.

David hopes to move to New York when the world is back to “normal” where he will pursue a career in Opera and Musical Theater.

QUARTERFINALS 1. Outside This House (Vanessa) – Samuel Barber, Gian Carlo Menotti - Opera 2. (Love Is) The Tender Trap (The Tender Trap) – Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn – Popular Music of 1950-1980 3. What is it about her? (The Wild Party) – Andrew Lippa – Musical Theatre

SEMIFINALS 1. Ac-cent-chu-ate the positive – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Witness –Hall Johnson – Spirituals 3. Someone To Fall Back On – Jason Robert Brown - Cabaret

FINALS 1. An American Hymn – Lee Holdridge - Americana 2. Wonder Why (Rich, Young and Pretty) – Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn – Great American Songbook 3. The Birth of the Blues – Ray Henderson, Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown - Jazz

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

56

NICOLE ZURAITIS MEZZO-SOPRANO SPONSORED BY KELLEE AND DON HASELTON PIANIST: ANDREW SOTOMAYOR

Grammy® nominated vocalist, pianist and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis is a bandleader, a recording artist and the premiere vocalist of the world famous Birdland Big Band among other notable ensembles.

She

has established herself as a staple on the New York City Jazz scene and has made a significant mark on the global modern jazz landscape. She brings musical ingenuity, vocal prowess and her signature warmth to a wide array of genres and styles, particularly in her newest singer-songwriter album ALL WANDERING HEARTS (DotTime Records). In 2019, Nicole’s career blossomed when her and her husband, renowned drummer and bandleader Dan Pugach, were dually nominated for a Grammy® for their arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”.

Pre-Covid, Nicole could be found gracing the stages at both the iconic Birdland

Jazz Club and Greenwich Village’s 55 Bar monthly, or touring internationally as a headliner and a sidewoman. She was named in the top 40 under 40 for 2020 in Connecticut Magazine and her weekly live stream during the Covid 19 crisis "Virtual Piano Lounge Plus One" was featured in Forbes in October 2020. Nicole was a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, winner of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, 1st place in the New York City Coffee Music Project Songwriting Competition, and the featured guest speaker at the WOW Forum. Her third album HIVE MIND won "Best Jazz Album" in the International Music and Entertainment Awards and she was honored to be in the semi finals of the American Traditions Competition in 2015, taking home both the Johnny Mercer and People's Choice award. While pursuing a career that has spanned the genres of jazz, pop and classical, Nicole has collaborated with such luminaries as Cyrille Aimee, Antonio Sanchez, Dave Stryker, Livingston Taylor, Tom Chapin, Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Melanie Safka, Helen Sung and Bernard Purdie. She is a proud Telefunken Mic VIP artist. Nicole travels the world as an educator for vocal and songwriting workshops. For more information, please visit: www.nicolezmusic.com

QUARTERFINALS 1. Do I Move You – Nina Simone - Blues 2. Deep River – arr. H.T. Burleigh – Spirituals 3. The Coffee Song – Nicole Zuraitis – Cabaret

SEMIFINALS 1. That Old Black Magic – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer – Songs of Johnny Mercer 2. Joy – Ricky Ian Gordon – Art Song 3. Imagine My Frustration – Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Gerald Wilson - Jazz

FINALS 1. What Baking Can Do (Waitress) – Sara Bareilles – Musical Theatre 2. The Way We Were (The Way We Were) – Marvin Hamlisch, Marilyn Bergman, Alan Bergman - Hollywood 3. You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King – Popular Music of 1950-1980

WWW.AMERICANTRADITIONSCOMPETITION.COM

57

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! FEB 21-25, 2022

912.236.7122 | WWW.17HUNDRED90.COM 307 EAST PRESIDENT STREET

DINNER NIGHTLY

5PM - 9PM

Follow us on social!

Globe Shoe Company

@globeshoecompany

My Aunt Hattie told me that when I was a baby, six months old, she'd hum to me, and I'd hum right back to her.

- Johnny Mercer

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31405 | 912-644-0744

SING OUT STRONG, ATC FINALISTS!

101-A West Park Ave. Savannah GA 31401 | 912-441-4891 Trainers Brigitte Rentiers & Jane Ogle www.customfitcenter.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ATC ON 28 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC MAKING! WITH GRATITUDE, THE HASELTON-ZEGREE-LOVE FAMILIES

DEAR 2021 ATC SINGERS, MUSICIANS, JUDGES, SUPPORTERS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND FRIENDS, IF THERE EVER WAS A TIME IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE NEEDED THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC THE MOST, THEN THIS IS IT!

SO, LET THE ATC MUSIC FILL OUR

HEARTS, AND WE’LL BE SINGING…..

“THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, THE SONGS YOU’RE SINGING.THANKS FOR ALL THE JOY YOU’RE BRINGING. WHO CAN LIVE WITHOUT IT? I ASK IN ALL HONESTY, WHAT WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT A SONG, OR A DANCE, WHAT ARE WE?

SO, I SAY THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC-

FOR BRINGING IT TO ME.” (MAMMA MIA) BILL AND BEV JAQUES (ATC TRUSTEE)

319 TATTNALL ST. | SAVANNAH, GA 31401 (912) 232-6000 | MCCORKLEJOHNSON.COM

DSI Logistics is a thirdparty logistics company (3PL) operating as a value driven, integral supply chain partner. Operating more than 1.2M square feet of warehousing and distribution space along with an integrated drayage and transportation model, DSI Logistics offers a wide range of services to customers in many different industry verticals.

1 BIRKENHEAD RD | PORT WENTWORTH, GA 31407 (912) 964-0399 | WWW.DSICOMPANIES.COM