Sophie Baete, Song Hee Lee & Shiyu Zhou Win Laffont Competition Eastern Region
By David Salazar(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera)
The Laffont Competition Eastern Region has announced the winners of its recent vocal competition.
Three singers received top prizes of $5,000 and will advance to the semi-finals in March. The winners included mezzo-soprano Sophia Baete, soprano Song Hee Lee, and soprano Shiyu Zhou.
Baete received the James McCracken and Sandra Warfield Opera Prize, sponsored by Ahna (née McCracken) and Peter Bogyo. Lee received the Brereton Prize, sponsored by Leslie and Harmar Brereton. Zhou’s award was made possible through funds provided by Marta Nottebohm.
The recipients are soprano Scarlett Jones, who received the Rohatyn Great Promise Award, and bass-baritone Jared Mac Werlein, who received the Stefanie Van Steelandt Encouragement Award. Their awards came with a $2,000 cash prize.
The Laffont Competition Eastern Region jury included Ken Benson, Daniel Biaggi, and Myra Huang, along with pianist Craig Ketter.
The Laffont Competition Finals are set for Sunday March 22, 2026 at 3 p.m.
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