THE 2016 HAL LEONARD VOCAL COMPETITION WINNERS

Hal Leonard, the world's largest print music publisher and the world leader in vocal music, launched the exciting and innovative concept of a serious music competition for voice students comprised entirely of YouTube video entries. We believe this to be the first legitimate music competition for musicians of various ages, children through college, to be held entirely on the Internet.

The required repertoire was largely drawn from art song and musical theatre literature. The deadline for entry was February 1, 2016.

Judging has been concluded, and we are pleased to announce the art song and musical theatre results in the four age categories of competition. Congratulations to the prize winners! We were encouraged by the commitment and seriousness of purpose shown in the video entries. If these are a representative sampling, there are clearly many dedicated students and teachers at all levels who have embraced our heritage of music literature. We thank all those who entered for confirming that this experimental venture was more than worthwhile. And we also thank the teachers and parents who guided the voice students in this competition. Thank you also to all the accompanists for their key participation.

View the Winning Videos

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY VOICES, ART SONG - Undergraduates (AGES 18-23)

First Place

CLARA PLESTIS

School: Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University
Voice Teacher: Steve Rainbolt

Second Place

JESSICA NILES

School: The Juilliard School
Voice Teacher: Marlena Malas

Third Place

JULIA GOMEZ

School: Nebraska Wesleyan University
Voice Teacher: Jana Holzmeier

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THE 2016 HAL LEONARD VOCAL COMPETITION WINNERS

View the Winning Videos

ART SONG WINNERS

MUSICAL THEATRE WINNERS

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY VOICES, ART SONG - Undergraduates (AGES 18-23)

First Place

CLARA PLESTIS

Second Place

JESSICA NILES

Third Place

JULIA GOMEZ

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)

NATHAN KESSEL

CLAY MOTE

HIGH SCHOOL VOICES, ART SONG - AGES 16-18

First Place

BENJAMIN WENZELBERG

Second Place (tie)

JOSHUA BERG

Second Place (tie)

TARYN SURRATT

Third Place (tie)

MARIANNE FREEMAN

Third Place (tie)

NIKO MANCERA

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)

SARAH AALDERING

KATE BRODERICK

SAM DHOBHANY

CLAUDIA GIUGNI

BORIS MOROCHO

MUFFIN RUSSELL

EARLY TEEN VOICES, ART SONG - AGES 13-15

First Place

TYLER BOUQUE

Second Place

MADELIN MORALES

Third Place

ALEA VERNON

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)

JAYDA COURNOYER

CARLY GRONINGA

CHILDREN'S VOICES, ART SONG - AGES 12 AND UNDER

First Place

ALIYAH DOUGLAS

Second Place (tie)

ISABELLA BANK

Second Place (tie)

DALEYNA DUNLAP

Third Place (tie)

SANGHOON JUNG

Third Place (tie)

KAYA KONEVITC

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)

LIRAZ BRAND

SHAYLA HE

AIDA SKARAITE

YOUNG ADULT VOICES, MUSICAL THEATRE - Undergraduates (AGES 18-23)

First Place

JACK KAY

Second Place

TOBIAS NORDLUND

Third Place (tie)

ADAM BEI

Third Place (tie)

CLAY MOTE

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)

RACHEL HORNER

MICHELLE LANGONE

ABBY KURTH

HIGH SCHOOL VOICES, MUSICAL THEATRE - AGES 16-18

First Place

LEE METAXA

Second Place (tie)

AMANDA CHILDS

Second Place (tie)

AÏSSA GUINDO

Third Place (tie)

ASHLEY HIESTER

Third Place (tie)