The Premiere Opera Foundation has announced the winners and finalists of its 2025 International Vocal Competition, marking another milestone year for the organization.

The 2025 live competition winners include soprano Tessa McQueen, who received the Premiere Grand Prize of $7,000 as well as mezzo-soprano Sophia Baete, who was awarded the Renata Scotto Prize of $5,000. Baritone Juncan Zhu was the recipient of the Dmitri Hvorostovsky Prize of $3,500 and tenor Matthew Sink was given the Marcello Giordani Prize of $3,500. Baritone Jamal Al Titi was the recipient of the Athena Music Foundation Prize of $2,500, while soprano Jihye Jang was awarded the Dr. David DiChiera Encouragement Prize of $1,500. Finally, soprano Catherine Creed was the recipient of the Premiere Encouragement Prize of $1,000.

Additionally, finalist honorariums of $500 each were awarded to sopranos Kresley Figueroa, Chantal Freeman, Page Michels, and mezzo-soprano Lindsay Martin, as well as tenor Charles Styles.

In 2025, the Foundation continued to expand its international reach through its Asia Selection in Shenyang, China, presented in partnership with the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. The collaboration further strengthened the Foundation’s global presence and created additional professional pathways for emerging artists in Asia.

Read Related Stories

• Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition Announces 2024 Winners

• Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition Announces Dmitri Hvorostovsky & Renata Scotto Prizes

• Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition Introduces ‘Marcello Giordani Prize’