The Kurt Weill Foundation has announced the winners for the 2024 Lotte Lenya Competition.

Taking home first prize and $25,000 was Ana Karneža of Slovenia. Christian Mark Gibbs and Jason Zacher were the recipients of $20,000 each and second prize. Joseph Sacchi was the winner of Outstanding Vocal Achievement while Queen Hezumuryango was the winner of Outstanding Performance of a Contemporary Musical Theater Selection. Both took home $6,000 each.

Each finalist performed a 15-minute program of four contrasting numbers, including one piece by Weill.

“My advice to the judges each year has been, ‘you’ll know who should win because they succeeded in making you laugh, cry, and then cheer in sheer amazement.’ This year Ana did exactly that for all the judges and probably everyone in the audience too,” said Kim Kowalke, President of the Kurt Weill Foundation and Founder of the
Competition, in an official press release.

The jury for the final included Nicole Cabell, Tazewell Thompson, and Jeanine Tesori.

Audiences can watch the finals starting on May 10 on the organization’s official website.