Schmidt Vocal Arts has announced the winners of its 2025-26 Regional Competitions, with 70 high school singers from 23 states competing across two groups for cash prizes and advancement to the organization’s Fifth Annual National Competition in Sarasota, Florida in May 2026.

James Williams of Shadow Creek High School in Pearland, TX took first place in Group A, followed by Frank Moreno of West Fork High School in Houston, TX in second place and Isaac Ahn of Hackley School in Fort Lee, NJ in third.

In Group B, Armando Cabrera-Ontiveros of Pearland High School in Pearland, TX claimed first place, with Olivia Stevens of Mount Sophia Academy in Newark, DE in second and Taylor-Marie Robinson of the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, SC in third.

The top three finishers in each group received awards of $2,500, $2,000, and $1,500 respectively, and all six advance to the National Competition.

Hana Reel of The Woodlands High School received the Most Promising Sophomore award in Group A, with that honor going to Svara Shroff of The Bryn Mawr School in Group B. Encouragement Awards in Group A went to Gus Crouch, Rosalie Koren, and Aidan Molaison, and in Group B to Jaiden Hsu, Landen Kessler, and Caden Peng.

Group A’s jury comprised mezzo-soprano Mary Stucky, Professor Emerita of Voice at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music; soprano Dr. Autumn West, Associate Professor of Voice at Oklahoma City University; and baritone Dr. Andrew Ryker, Lecturer of Voice at Georgia State University.

Group B was adjudicated by soprano Dr. LaToya Lain of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; baritone Christòpheren Nomura of the Manhattan School of Music; and countertenor Dr. William Sauerland, Associate Professor of Music at Purdue University Fort Wayne.

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