Winners for the nonprofit Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center’s (OHMTEC) International Youth Solo Contest were recently announced in a pre-recorded awards ceremony broadcast recently.
The second annual contest attracted 100 applicants from near and far, including representation from three continents. International participants were from Ireland and South Africa. Seventeen U.S. states were represented among this year’s competitors.
Local winners included:
•College Division third place, Sofia Farrell, of Harleysville;
•High School Division second place, Adrienne Nicastro, 15, of Huntington Valley, (Voice Teacher Anne Odland), and third place, Keira Corcoran, 17, of Doylestown, (Voice Teacher Anne Odland);
•Middle School Division second place, Gabrielle Arias, 13, of Newtown, and third place, Charlotte Raynor, 13, of Chalfont, (Voice Teacher Linsey Griffin);
•Elementary School Division second place, Ethan Ross, 10, of Warrington, (Voice Teacher Anne Odland);
•Bucks County Division first place, Olivia Giampolo, 16, of Warrington, (Voice Teacher Anne Odland); second place, Jane File, 14, of Furlong, (Voice Teacher Joan Myerov); third place, Felix Arnstein, 16, of Point Pleasant, (Voice Teacher Anne Odland).
Soloist videos can be seen on Facebook @hammersteinmuseum.
This year’s winners receive a cash prize and are invited to perform during a Hammerstein sing-along event in September. They also receive a voice lesson with Broadway performer and Honorary Advisory Board member Justin Guarini.
A panel of judges evaluated the final round of solo submissions, including vocal coach Bob Marks, owner of Carson-Adler Agency; Nancy Carson, associate dean and professor of voice at Ithaca College; Ivy Waltz; and Dan Callaway, assistant professor of voice at Boston Conservatory.
“Year after year I am astounded at the level of musicianship and poise that these young singers bring to their performances,” said director of the contest and OHMTEC vice president Jaime Rogers.
The contest educates young musical theater enthusiasts about the tremendous influence Oscar Hammerstein II had on the development of the modern Broadway musical. The contest also raises international awareness of the nonprofit’s mission to save Oscar Hammerstein’s Doylestown home and open the home to the public as a museum. Plans include building a theater education center on the site of the existing bank barn.
Proceeds from the contest benefit The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center. For information and to learn how you can make an impact and #SaveOscarsHome visit www.HammersteinMuseum.org.
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