Young Singer Art Song Competition

CONGRATULATIONS to the WINNERS of our Young Singer Art Song Competition!

Best Performance of a Non-Contemporary Work (pre-1950)

Gwyneth Rix

​ 

Gwyneth Rix is a Freshman studying vocal performance at Boston University with Dr. Lynn Eustis. Her experience thus far has been mainly choral; having sung with the choir at All Saints’ Church in Wynnewood and Vox Ama Deus for several seasons. She is in her first season with the Boston University Symphonic Chorus and Boston University Singers as both a soloist and choral singer. In 2020, she played the titular character in Amahl and the Night Visitors (Amahl, not the night visitors) with Delaware Valley Opera Company. During the summer, she has attended the Philadelphia International Music Festival, Bel Canto Institute in Florence, Italy, and the Washington National Opera Institute. This summer she will attend Songfest at the San Francisco Conservatory.

Best Performance of a Work by a BIPOC Composer

Sophie Berman

 

Known for her skillful musicianship and engaging character work, New York and Boston-based soprano Sophie Berman has captivated audiences all over the country. Throughout her musical career, Berman has studied and performed pieces from a variety of musical eras, allowing her to explore the versatility of her voice within the classical realm. During her undergraduate career at DePauw University, she built a solid foundation of vocal technique and acting skills while studying under Caroline B. Smith and André Campelo. In the spring of 2021, Berman performed a Senior Degree Recital alongside pianist and vocal coach Anthony Weinstein, which featured works by women composers, including Barbara Strozzi, Clara Schumann, Abbie Betinis, and Isabelle Aboulker. Berman hopes to continue discovering and performing works by composers who have been historically excluded from the musical canon, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ composers, throughout her musical career to promote diversity and social responsibility within the music world.

Now at the Longy School of Music for her Master of Music degree, Berman is studying under Carol Mastrodomenico, expanding on her foundation of vocal technique through the lens of vocal pedagogy. She is looking forward to participating in some of the many canonic, contemporary, and early vocal music opportunities that Longy has to offer.

Best Performance of a Contemporary Work (post-1950)

Claire Burreson

 

Claire Burreson is a soprano currently in her second year of undergraduate studies at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, majoring in voice performance. She is from Seattle, Washington where she was a member of Seattle Opera’s Teen Vocal Studio as well as the lead in their youth opera: Wilde Tales by Laura Karpman. She has performed with the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society as well as the Pacific Lutheran University opera program. Her musical theater credits range from Kira in Xanadu to Maria in the Sound of Music. Claire recently earned first place in the college division of the NATS Boston Auditions. This summer she will be participating in the SongFest art song festival and training program. She can be seen performing frequently with the Boston Conservatory Choir as well as in class recitals. Claire hopes to pursue a career in opera.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Sophie Carpenter
Thomas Warden

Thank you to all for participating in this Competition and CONGRATULATIONS from all of us at Calliope’s Call!