Winners: VOCALISTS (men in opera)—The American Prize in Vocal Performance—The Friedrich & Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, 2021

Schorr as Wotan, Bayreuth

The American Prize wishes everyone safety and health during this difficult time.
 

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge, is honored to announce the winners and runners-up of The American Prize in Vocal Performance—men in opera, 2021—The Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards. Congratulations! 

Complete listings of finalists and semi-finalists in The American Prize competitions may be found elsewhere on this blog. Please use the chronological tool in the right-hand column to find specific results.

COVID EXTENSION: Because of the current national and international situation, many rules have been changed and requirements eased to make it easier to apply for The American Prize, 2022. In addition, application deadlines have been extended with further extensions available by email request. 

We will accept applications from COMPOSERS, CLASSICAL VOCALISTS, PIANISTS, CHAMBER ENSEMBLES and INSTRUMENTAL SOLOISTS will be accepted until Tuesday, June 22, 2021. 

Applications from CONDUCTORS, STAGE DIRECTORS, CONDUCTED ENSEMBLES, ARTS ADMINISTRATORS (arts marketing, arts education) in the performance of American Music (BACON AWARD) and in the new category of VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE will be accepted until Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Visit theamericanprize.org for complete contest information. 

Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com

The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award honors the memory of the greatest Wagnerian baritone of his age, Friedrich Schorr, who commanded the operatic stage between the world wars, and his wife, Virginia Schorr, who taught studio voice at the Manhattan School of Music and the Hartt School of Music for nearly fifty years. The Prize recognizes and rewards the best performances by classically trained vocalists in America, based on submitted recordings.

The American Prize in Vocal Performance—men in opera (professional division),  2021, The Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards

The American Prize Winner
Wayd Odle        
Knoxville  TN

Wayd Odle        

Tenor Wayd Odle, known for his "impressive vocal strength and attractiveness," is an active performer on the operatic stage. He has had the pleasure of performing Don José, Rodolfo, Nemorino, Ferrando, Tamino, and many other roles across the United States. His most recent credit Tybalt with Knoxville Opera “brought not only a sensational vocal performance, but also a rough-and-tumble dramatic character.” Mr. Odle has participated as a Young Artist with Utah Lyric Opera and Knoxville Opera. He was also selected and performed as a studio artist for Wolf Trap Opera’s 2020 summer season and has been invited to return in 2021. Mr. Odle also enjoys concert work and vocal competitions, most recently winning an Encouragement Award at MONC. He has also had the pleasure of being a soloist with Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Utah Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlantic Music Festival Orchestra, as well as other university orchestras.


2nd Place:
Albert Niedel    
Gaithersburg  MD  

Albert Niedel    

Born in Budapest, Hungary, baritone ALBERT NIEDEL is an American citizen who specializes in the great lyric-dramatic roles of Verdi and other composers. Top 4 Finalist of The American Prize in 2019, and Second Prize Winner of the 2018 Inese Galante International Voice Competition in Latvia, Mr. Niedel also received top honors in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Advanced College Division (which consisted of participants from Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania) as well as the Baltimore Music Club, in the Professional Vocal category. This season he performs as guest soloist with the January Music Nights Festival Orchestra in Brest, Belarus. Mr. Niedel recently sang the role of Maciej in Moniuszko’s The Haunted Manor with The Cleveland Opera, and was selected as a finalist in both Opera Ithaca’s Edward M. Murray Vocal Competition in New York and the Anton Rubinstein International Vocal Competition in Dusseldorf, Germany. This versatile and powerful artist has served as a cantor for Jewish congregations and as a featured artist with numerous opera companies throughout North America and Europe. Mr. Niedel was personally invited by renowned soprano Montserrat Caballé to participate in her master class and Opera Gala concert in Zaragoza, Spain. He has also sung in master classes of other internationally acclaimed singers, including Simon Estes, Sylvia Sass and Wei Song. In addition, Mr. Niedel has worked with noted conductors and singers such as Christian Badea, Michel Plasson, Inessa Galante, Jason Stearns and Lois Alba.

3rd Place (there was a tie):
Matteo Adams 

New York NY 

Matteo Adams 

Matteo Adams is a classically trained tenor from Beaumont, Texas. For undergraduate study, he pursued his degree of Vocal Performance at Oberlin Conservatory, under the tutelage of Timothy LeFebvre. Matteo has now made New York his home, pursuing graduate work at the Steinhardt School at NYU attaining his Masters in Music, under the guidance of Justin Moniz. Recent Performances include the title role of Candide with the Varna International Opera Academy, Tamino in the  Austin Summer Opera Workshop, and Nemorino with the Oberlin Opera Theater Scenes Program. 

3rd Place (there was a tie):
Jordan Davidson   
Woodbridge  VA

Jordan Davidson   

A native of Northern New York, Dr. Jordan Davidson pursues opportunities in choral conducting, opera, operetta, musical theatre, concert, and recital. He holds a DMA in Vocal Performance, Pedagogy, & Literature and MM in Vocal Performance from James Madison University, and a BM in Music Education from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York. After teaching at UVa for the 2016-2017 academic year, Jordan moved to Woodbridge, VA with his family to teach vocal music in Stafford County at Brooke Point High School. Jordan is also the conductor and artistic director of the Rappahannock Choral Society. Notable performances include Candide in Bernstein’s Candide, Gabey in Bernstein's On The Town, Albert in Britten’s Albert Herring, Lysander in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, tenor soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Handel’s Messiah, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. 

The American Prize in Vocal Performance—men in opera (community division),  2021, The Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards

The American Prize Winner
Ryne Olson        
Lacey WA

Ryne Olson        

Ryne Olson is a tenor from Elma, Washington. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Saint Martin’s University in 2018, with an emphasis in vocal performance. He has studied voice under the direction of Darrell Born, and currently studies with Darrell J. Jordan. Ryne has been seen performing musical theatre and operetta repertoire with several local college and community theatre companies, as well as performing as a featured vocal soloist with the Olympia Chamber Orchestra. Ryne is set to appear with Lawrence Opera Theatre in Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette summer of 2021.  

2nd Place:
Eric Partridge        
Seattle  WA

Eric Partridge  

Eric Partridge is a bass-baritone from Seattle, WA, where he works as an elementary classroom teacher in the Seattle Public Schools. Eric has been a choral singer since fifth grade, highlighted by two European tours and a performance in Carnegie Hall. He recently finished his fifth year as a member of the Northwest Chamber Chorus, including three years as bass section leader. Eric currently studies with Darrell J. Jordan and has previously studied with graduate students at the Eastman School of Music and faculty at the Eastman Community Music School.

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Congratulations!