Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has announced the seven finalists for the “Concert of Arias,” the final round of the 38th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers. The event is set to take place Feb. 6, 2026, at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston.

The finalists are sopranos Scarlett Jones, Viktoriia Shamanska, Arpi Sinanyan, and Kayla Rae Stein; mezzo-soprano Lauren Randolph; tenor Misael Corralejo; and bass-baritone Tzvi Bat Asherah.

At the Concert of Arias, each finalist will perform two arias with the HGO Orchestra, conducted by Patrick Summers.

The expanded prize structure includes awards of $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place, $10,000 for third place, and $5,000 for the Audience Choice Award. Non-placing finalists receive $3,500, with one singer also receiving the $2,000 Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award.

The judging panel includes mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées Director of Production Julien Benhamou, HGO General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor, and soprano Ana María Martínez.

The competition is presented before a live audience in the Cullen Theater, with a simultaneous livestream on HGO’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

Concert of Arias 2026 is chaired by Drs. Rachel and Warren A. Ellsworth IV, with proceeds benefiting the Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers and the Butler HGO Studio.

Read Related Stories

• Houston Grand Opera & Amanda Forsythe Win Big at Grammy Awards

• J’Nai Bridges, Donnie Ray Albert, Michael Sumuel Among Headliners of Houston Grand Opera’s ‘Giving Voice’

• Houston Grand Opera Cancels ‘Silent Night’ Performance Due to Winter Storm