May 1, 2022
2022 VOCAL COMPETITION
Extraordinary young singers pursuing careers as vocal artists competed for prizes totaling $14,500 in this final round of the 32nd Annual International Vocal Competition honoring Violetta DuPont. The public was invited to watch ten finalists demonstrate exceptional talent in the operatic art form before a celebrated collection of jurists. Each contestant sang two arias accompanied on piano by Artistic Director, Mary Pinto.
Pictured top left clockwise
First prize $5,000 donated by Marty Jeiven, former OAF Board member and Vocal Competition supporter. Winner: Chelsea Lehnea, soprano
Second prize $3,000 donated by Joe DuPont, in honor of his mother, Violetta, OAF co-founder and Vocal Competition founder. Winner: Lisa Rogali, mezzo-soprano
Third prize $2,000 donated by an Anonymous donor, in honor of Violetta DuPont. Winner: Shanley Horvitz, soprano
Fourth prize $1,500 donated by Marty Jeiven. Winner: Seonho Yu, baritone
Fifth Prize $1,000 The Dr. Lorine Buffington Summers Memorial Prize presented by the Lodato Family. Winner: Shaina Martinez, soprano
Sixth Prize $1,000: donated by Marty Jeiven. Winner: Yue Wu, baritone
Encouragement Awards of $400.00 donated by Marty Jeiven and Barbara Ann Testa (separate awards to four non-winner finalists): Brian Murray, baritone; Alec Carlson, tenor; Yejin Lee, soprano; Elizaveta Ulakhovich, soprano
2022 Vocal Competiton
2022 Vocal Competiton
“Sempre libera” from La Traviata at Opera at Florham
“Se O don fatale” from Don Carlo at Opera at Florham
“Una voce poco fa” from Il barbiere di Siviglia at Opera at Florham
2022 FINALISTS
top row: Chelsea Lehnea soprano, Seonho Yu baritone, Shaina Martinez soprano
middle row: Yue Wu bass, Shanley Horvitz mezzo-soprano, Bryan Murray baritone, Elizaveta Ulakhovich soprano
bottom row: Yejin Lee soprano, Lisa Rogali mezzo-soprano, Alec Carlson tenor.
Auditions were held at the Columbus Citizens Foundation in NYC on April 21-22.
JURISTS
Barbara Ann Testa
Scott Barnes
Ken Benson
Cynthia Munzer
James Thurmond Smithgall (auditions)
Lou Barrella (Finals)
Marty Jeiven
Joseph DuPont in honor of his mother Violetta DuPont, founder of the OaF Vocal Competition
Barbara Ann Testa, Opera at Florham Trustee and Jurist
The Lodato Family in honor of Joseph Lodato's Vocal teacher Dr. Lorine Buffington-Summers
Anonymous members of the Opera At Florham Board and Patrons