(Photo credit: Lori Sax)

Sarasota Opera is set to host the finals for the third annual national finals of the Schmidt Vocal Competition.

The top three winners from each of the 15 regional competitions will compete for a $10,000 first prize. The second prize winner will receive $7,500, and $5,000 will be awarded to the third place winner.

On June 1, for the first round of competition singers from across the country will compete for a spot in the finals. Semi-Final Adjudicators include sopranos Nicole Cabell and Marilyn Mims, mezzo-soprano Jamie Van Eyck, countertenor William Sauerl and pianist/coach Myra Huang.

Prior to the final round, three singers from the semi-final round will be chosen to sing in a masterclass with soprano  Cabell, Mims, and Huang. The masterclass will take place at 10:30 a.m. on June 2.

The final round of the Schmidt Vocal Competition will take place with up to 16 finalists, who will perform on the Sarasota Opera stage and compete for cash awards. Distinguished judges for this competition are Dallas Opera General Director Ian Derrer, soprano Ana María Martinez, and baritone Reginald Smith, Jr. The final begins at 1 p.m.

Sarasota Opera General Director Richard Russell said in a press release, “Introducing young people to the art of singing opera has been an important part of Sarasota Opera’s mission for almost 40 years. William E. Schmidt was a generous supporter of Sarasota Youth Opera which is why we are especially delighted to once again partner with Schmidt Vocal Arts on this event.”

Funded by the William E. Schmidt Foundation, the Schmidt Vocal Competition is an annual event for U.S. high school students that sees 400+ singers compete each year. This year more than $650K in cash awards and scholarships is offered in awards. SVA’s support and resources continue long after the competition. The prize-winners are eligible for need-based scholarships to support their continued study at the university level, and SVA continues to have relationships with many alumni throughout their careers, providing educational, mentoring, and networking opportunities as well as grants for summer study.