Schmidt Vocal Arts has announced the winners of its inaugural 2025–26 Louisiana Regional Competition, held on Dec. 6, 2025, at Loyola University New Orleans.

First Prize was awarded to Rad Jennings of New Orleans, Louisiana. Second Prize went to Malia Suggs of Gretna, Louisiana, and Third Prize to Clara Maya White of Sugar Land, Texas. Jennings also won the Most Promising Sophomore Award.

The three top prizewinners received awards of $2,500, $2,000, and $1,500 and now advance to the National Competition in May 2026. They are also eligible to apply for Schmidt Vocal Arts college scholarships, with more than $500,000 awarded annually to support young singers pursuing higher education.

The finalists also included Toby Alfonso of Brother Martin High School in St. Bernard, Louisiana; James Andrews of The Willow School in New Orleans, Louisiana; Susana Cuartas of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in Gretna, Louisiana; and Dianna Gergley of Conroe High School in Montgomery, Texas.

Encouragement awards were presented to Andrews, Bundick, and Butler.

The jury for the event included soprano LaToya Lain of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, soprano Linda McAlister, Executive Director of Schmidt Vocal Arts, and Allen Perriello, Director of Artistic Administration at Des Moines Metro Opera. The panel selected seven finalists, each of whom received a $250 award for advancing to the final round.

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