Schmidt Vocal Arts has announced the results of its final 2025-26 Regional Competition, held at Boston Conservatory on May 10, 2026.

Zadia Danon of LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts in Brooklyn took first place, followed by Ruth Anne Sowa of Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Medford, Massachusetts in second, and Claire Park of The Winsor School in Newton, Massachusetts in third.

The three top prizewinners advance to Schmidt Vocal Arts’ Fifth Annual National Vocal Competition, taking place May 30–31 at Sarasota Opera in Sarasota, Florida, and received awards of $2,500, $2,000, and $1,500 respectively. All three are now eligible to apply for college scholarships from Schmidt Vocal Arts, which awards more than $500,000 annually to support singers’ higher education.

The jury comprised baritone Joshua Conyers, Assistant Professor of Voice at Eastman School of Music; mezzo-soprano Dr. Rebecca Folsom, Professor of Voice at Boston Conservatory at Berklee; and Dr. Carleen Graham, Dean of the Division of Vocal Arts and Collaborative Piano at Manhattan School of Music.

Eight singers advanced to the final round, each receiving a $250 award, and additional prizes of $100 were awarded for Encouragement and Most Promising Sophomore, with Claire Park also taking the latter distinction.

Founded in 1997 and funded by the William E. Schmidt Foundation, the Schmidt Vocal Competitions have reached more than 6,500 developing singers, awarding $650,000 in cash prizes and scholarships this year alone.