Opera Columbus’ annual Cooper-Bing Competition has revealed its five finalists who will compete for the $10,000 first prize at the Southern Theater on May 15, 2022.

This year’s finalists include tenor Aaron Crouch, baritone Alex DeSocio, mezzo-soprano Sophie Michaux, soprano Nicole Woodward, and tenor Wooyoung Yoon.

“I have always admired Opera Columbus’ dedication to providing emerging vocalists with an opportunity to showcase their talent, and couldn’t be happier that we are able to open the doors of the Southern to a live audience this year,” said Opera Columbus’ General Director + CEO, Julia Noulin-Mérat in an official press statement. “Nothing can match the energy of full house ready to hear new talent. I can’t wait to hear our finalists this year.”

Clare Burovac (General Director, New Orleans Opera), Kathleen Kelly (Conductor, Pianist, Educator and Writer), and Dr. Everett McCorvey (Director of Opera Theatre, Lexington Opera Society Endowed Chair in Opera Studies, Professor of Ensemble Directors, University of Kentucky) will comprise the jury for the competition.

The Cooper-Bing Competition was a catalyst for the careers of such world-renowned singers as Denyce Graves, Dina Kuznehtsova, Richard Paul Fink, Lucas Meachem, Nicole Heaston, Richard Zeller, Susan Foster, and Alyson Cambridge, among others. . This year, the festival saw a record 270 submissions.