Schmit Vocal Arts has announced that Lilliana Mindel is the winner of the top prize of its annual competition.

The Orange County School of the Arts graduate takes home a prize of $10,000. In addition to this competition, the soprano has earned prizes at such competitions as The Music Center’s Spotlight Competition, Opera Buffs Arts of the Future Competition, and CA Regionals, among others.

In second place and earning a $7,500 cash prize is bass Owen Kilgore of Toddville, Iowa. Rounding out the top three is Henry Drangel of Kew Gardens; he earns $5,000.

“I was truly impressed with the level of singing at the Schmidt Vocal Competition this year,” said Dallas Opera General Director Ian Derrer in an official press release. “These young singers are the future of opera, and the future looks quite bright.”

Derrer was one of the judges for the competition. He was joined by Barry Banks and Ana María Martínez.

“Coming into the competition I had no idea what sort of standard that I would be hearing,” Banks added. “I can honestly say that I am astounded at the level of both vocal ability and musical maturity. If this is the standard of 16-18 year old young singers across the country then the classical vocal future is in very bright hands.”

“I congratulate each singer who participated in the Schmidt Vocal Arts National Finals Competition,” Martínez concluded. “The vocal level, encompassing technical ability and beauty of sound along with their overall performances, was outstanding. The future of opera is, and will be, in great hands thanks to the abundance of talent we all witnessed this past weekend. Now more than ever, the help and support that the Schmidt Foundation so generously offers to so many young singers is vital in order for them to continue to grow and develop as singers and artists.”