The Dallas Opera (TDO) has announced the finalists for its biennial National Vocal Competition on March 6, 2026, at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas.

The 10 finalists include bass-baritone Tzvi Bat Asherah, tenor Nathan Bowles, mezzo-soprano Meg Brilleslyper, soprano Lauryn Davis, mezzo-soprano Deanna Ray Eberhart, soprano Sophia Hunt, mezzo-soprano Kayla Nanto, soprano Luna Seongeun Park, soprano Anna Thompson, and baritone Yihe Wang. The finalists were selected from 381 applicants.

For the final, each finalist performs one aria accompanied by The Dallas Opera Orchestra under conductor Emmanuel Villaume. The repertoire includes works by Verdi, Massenet, Donizetti, Wagner, and Mozart, among others.

Winners are selected by a panel chaired by TDO Artistic Consultant David Lomelí. Judges include soprano Nicole Car, San Francisco Opera Artistic Managing Director Gregory Henkel, Warner Classics & Erato Chairman Emeritus Alain Lanceron, and Wolf Trap Opera Vice President Lee Anne Myslewski. Cash prizes are awarded to first-, second-, and third-place winners, as well as the Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award recipient.

The competition is hosted by bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, who appears in TDO’s upcoming production of Verdi’s “Don Carlo.” The presenting sponsor is Belinda and Lance Hancock.

Read Related Stories

• The Dallas Opera Success With $25 Million Challenge Grant, More than Doubles Endowment

• The Dallas Opera Cancels Performance Due to Inclement Weather

• The Dallas Opera to Present ‘The Little Prince’