The Dallas Opera National Vocal Competition showcases the talents of young singers aspiring to professional careers in opera. It was created to help guide singers from the emerging artist stage to the next level in their professional careers. Applicants must be a resident of the United States or a resident of one of the U.S. Territories. Applicants must also be United States citizens or have the right to work in the USA. The competition also has no age restriction.
Participants compete for prestige and monetary prizes during a concert performance at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House with The Dallas Opera Orchestra.
The Competition will award $10,000 for the grand prize, $5,000 to 2nd place, $2,500 to 3rd place, and $1,000 to the People’s Choice winners. The annual People’s Choice Award is bestowed on the audience favorite, determined by a digital vote following the final contestant’s performance.
National Vocal Competition
Friday, March 6, 2026 7:30 PM
Get a first glimpse of the opera stars of tomorrow, as they perform on the Winspear stage. Finalists at the 2026 National Vocal Competition will sing with The Dallas Opera Orchestra while competing against singers from across the United States. Attendees are invited to join the action by voting for the “People’s Choice Award” winner of the evening.
2025/2026 Winners announced!
First Place: Tzvi Bat Asherah, bass-baritone
Second Place: Nathan Bowles, tenor
Third Place: Anna Thompson, soprano
Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award (determined by audience vote): Tzvi Bat Asherah, bass-baritone
2023/2024 Winners
First Place: Navasard Hakobyan, baritone
Second Place: Jongwon Han, bass-baritone
Third Place (tie): Elisa Sunshine, soprano and Katerina Burton, soprano
Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award (determined by audience vote): Lisa Marie Rogali,mezzo-soprano
View Past Vocal Competition Winners
History
Founded in 1957, the non-profit Dallas Opera Guild first established a formal program to support young singers in 1987, originally known as The Career Development Grant for Singers. That program evolved into The Dallas Opera Vocal Competition.
Today, the competition’s classically-trained U.S. singers will compete once a year for industry recognition, career encouragement, the chance to perform on a world-class stage with The Dallas Opera Orchestra as well as significant cash awards—all before a live audience and a panel of judges representing some of the most prestigious opera companies in North America.