From 15 singers in competition the judges chose the following four winners:

(Pictured from left to right, Amanda Balltrip, Chris Conley, Afton Battle, Emily Lorini, and Hanna Smith. Photo: Pat Trotter)

Afton Battle, soprano'
Hanna Smith, soprano,
Emily Lorini, mezzo soprano
and
Christopher Conley, countertenor.

An Encouragement Award was granted to soprano Amanda Balltrip. Mr. Conley was a 2006 District winner and for Ms. Balltrip the Encouragement Award was the second in a row.

The four winners will advance to the Tri-State Regional Finals.

Tri-State Regional Finals
Lexington, Memorial Hall
January 19, 2008
1:00pm

For Directions to Memorial Hall Click Here

Official accompanist: Prof. Cliff Jackson

Judges: Carroll Freeman
            Mignon Dunn           
            George Darden

Mignon Dunn, a mezzo soprano with 654 Met performances to her credit and a member of the Manhattan School of Music voice faculty, will conduct a public master class on Sunday, January 20th, 2:00 PM (Memorial Hall).

Two 1st place winners:
Afton Battle, soprano, Kentucky District
Jonathan Lasch, baritone, Southern Ohio District

2nd place:
Kathryn Leemhuis, mezzo-soprano, Indiana District

3rd place:
Jung Nan Yoon, soprano, Indiana District

Encouragement Award:
Elizabeth Koontz, soprano, Southern Ohio District.

(Pictured from left to right, Carroll Freeman, Jonathan Lasch, Mignon Dunn, Afton Battle and George Darden. Photo:Pat Trotter)

Rich Copley's article on the Regional Competition

Janelle Gelfand's article on the Regional Competition

National Semi-Finals
New York, Metropolitan Opera
February 17, 2008

 

Grand Finals Concert
New York, Metropolitan Opera
February 24, 2008

 

 

2008/2009 Season

National Semi-Finals
New York, Metropolitan Opera
February 15, 2009

Grand Finals Concert
New York, Metropolitan Opera
February 22, 2009