If you missed our 14th annual Quest for the Best vocal competition, now for the first time you can see, hear, and download all the graduate and undergraduate arias. If you prefer, you can hear and download all the graduate and undergraduate arias in uncompressed WAV audio format. You can also see the list of winners and amounts of the awards.
2017 Quest for the Best Awards
On March 11, 2017, the Opera Guild of Southern Arizona handed out checks totaling $11,050 to 17 student singers from the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. We had committed to award $10,000, but raised more, which was lucky, because the votes for first place among undergraduates and third place for graduates were too close to call. When that happens, we dig into our pockets and award the higher prize to both contenders.
Thanks to Judi Hasbrouck and her committee for a wonderful afternoon of singing and refreshments, and to our Board, membership and friends for supporting our efforts to help these young singers further their careers. Thanks also to Joseph Specter, President of Arizona Opera, for the generous donation of four orchestra seats to Rossini’s Cinderella which were raffled off at Quest.
Graduate winners from left: Ariana Iniguez, Michelle Perrier, Mark Hockenberry, Kristen Lucas
See, hear, and download all the graduate arias.
Undergraduate winners, from left: Antonio Cruz, Taylor Trolia-Giron, Clare Demer, Joseph Gouge
See, hear, and download all the undergraduate arias.
2016 Quest for the Best Arias and Awards
The thirteenth annual Quest for the Best was held February 27, 2016, at Holsclaw Hall on the UA campus. Attendees heard 15 promising young singers (8 undergraduates and 7 graduate students) and enjoyed a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception. The awards, determined by audience ballot, are shown below.
Graduate Awards
|
Amount
|
Donor | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| $1500 | OGSA in honor of Felicia Sanders May |
Samantha Luna, mezzo-soprano |
|
$1200
|
OGSA |
Ariana Iniguez, soprano |
|
$900
|
Susan & Frank Finkenberg and |
Brian McNiff, tenor |
|
$600
|
Judi Hasbrouck & Sid Wolitzky |
Michelle Perrier, soprano |
Undergraduate Awards
|
Amount
|
Donor | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| $1000 | OGSA | Kyle DeGraff, tenor |
| $750 | OGSA | Clare Demer, soprano |
|
$500
|
Carolyn & Russ Russo | Caroline Crawford, soprano (tie) |
|
$500
|
OGSA and The Swedish Award, from Eva & Hans Bennich |
Antonio Cruz, baritone (tie) |
The technical staff of the UA School of Music graciously recorded all the arias. You can listen and/or download them by clicking on the files below, shown in the order performed.
Note: Flash player is required.
2016 Graduate Arias
2016 Undergraduate Arias
2014 Quest for the Best Awards
The eleventh annual Quest for the Best was held March 29, 2014, at Holsclaw Hall on the UA campus. Attendees heard 15 promising young singers (7 undergraduates and 8 graduate students) and enjoyed a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception. The awards, determined by audience ballot, are shown below.
Graduate Awards
Amount | Donor | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| $1500 | OGSA in honor of Suzanne and Richard Clark | Jenina Gallaway, soprano |
$1250 | OGSA | Humberto Borboa, tenor |
$1000 | Carol and John Garrard and The Opera Glass Magazine | Dori Smith, soprano |
$750 | Cynthia M. Hagerman and OGSA | Ivette Ortiz, soprano |
$500 | Robin Coon | Kaitrin Cunningham, soprano |
$500 | OGSA | Brian McNiff, tenor |
Undergraduate Awards
Amount | Donor | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| $1000 | Arizona Opera Company | Melanie Alameda, soprano |
| $750 | Patricia and Patrick Schifano & Susan and Frank Finkenberg | Caroline Crawford, soprano |
$750 | Russo, Russo & Slania, P.C. & OGSA | Michelle Perrier, soprano |
$300 | The Swedish Award, from Eva & Hans Bennich | Jordan Wilson, soprano |
The technical staff of the UA School of Music graciously recorded all the arias. You can listen and/or download them by clicking on the files below, shown in the order performed.
Note: Flash player is required.
2014 Graduate Arias
2014 Undergraduate Arias
Videos of Top Quest 2015 Arias
Now you can see as well as hear the first, second, and third place winners of Quest for the Best 2015, in both graduate and undergraduate divisions. Videos from the 2016 Quests for the Best are coming soon.