The Houston Grand Opera has announced the finalists for its 2023 Concert of Arias, currently scheduled for Feb. 3, 2023.

The finalists include baritone Samuel Kidd, mezzo-soprano Ani Kushyan, mezzo-soprano Natalie Lewis, soprano Emma Marhefka, tenor Michael McDermott, tenor Demetrious Sampson Jr, bass Gosh Sargsyan, and soprano Gabrielle Turgeon.

Audiences will be able to see the event both in person and via live stream on the company’s social media accounts. Nicole Heaston will host the event.

This year’s judges include famed opera star Isabel Leonard, Houston Grand Opera General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor, and Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. Soprano and Artistic Advisor Ana María Martinez will select the Encouragement Award. Audiences will be able to vote on the Audience Choice Award and the Online Viewers’ Choice Award.

“Concert of Arias represents our commitment to fostering the next generation of opera stars, and to advancing the art form by honing their already tremendous talents,” Dastoor said in an official press statement. “HGO has been training, inspiring, and mentoring brilliant emerging artists for careers in opera for 45 years—careers that have altered the trajectory of opera itself. We are proud that the beginning of that journey starts with this exhilarating competition.”