Schmidt Vocal Arts (SVA) has named the winners of its 2025–26 Missouri Regional Competition, held Dec. 13, 2025, at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

First Place was awarded to Olivia Dolton of Liberty High School, Liberty, MO, while Second Place went to Jesse Kliman of DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, MD. Third Place was awarded to Isabella Morgan of Staley High School, Kansas City, MO. The top prizewinners received awards of $2,500, $2,000, and $1,500, respectively, and now advance to the National Competition. They are also eligible to apply for college scholarships from Schmidt Vocal Arts, which provides over $500,000 annually to support higher education for young singers.

Encouragement Awards were given to Audric Mansoor-McKedy (Wichita, KS) and Zoe Clarke (Kansas City, KS). The Most Promising Sophomore and Broadway Bound Award were both given to Braelyn Castellano (Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, MO).

Other finalists included Alex Finch, Annika Hess, Dominic Hughes, Amelia Mueller, and Gracie Smith. The finalists each received $250.

The competition’s jury included soprano Beth Roberts, Professor of Voice at Montclair State University; soprano Hailey Clark, Assistant Professor of Voice at Vanderbilt University; and baritone Dr. Raymond Feener, Associate Professor of Voice and Chair of Vocal Studies at UMKC Conservatory.

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