May 26, 2023 I Event
Hal Leonard Announces Winners of Final Vocal Competition
Hal Leonard has announced the results of its 2023 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. Established in 2011, it was one of the first music competitions held entirely on YouTube.
Eligible singers from the U.S. and Canada were able to enter, with no entry fee, and, as a result, there were more than 1,000 entries this year in two divisions: Art Song and Musical Theatre. Four age categories were included for each division: children (ages 12 and under), early teens (ages 13–15), high school (ages 16–18) and college undergraduates (ages 18–23). Hal Leonard awarded more than $10,000 in cash and gift certificates in its support of vocal music across North America.
This year’s Art Song first-place winners were Donna Megules of Medford, New Jersey; Katherine Ryan of Pearl River, New York; Maximus Taylor of Louisville, Kentucky; and Sarah Fleiss of Philadelphia.
This year’s Musical Theatre first-place winners were Vinya Chhabra of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Lily Yezdanian of Clifton, New Jersey; Lauren Huserik of Renton, Washington; and Anna Zavelson of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“We began the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition in 2011, and since then thousands of singers have entered, and we thank them for it,” said Rick Walters, vice president of classical & vocal music. “So, many teachers have been longtime devotees to the competition. We have been happy to provide an outlet for achievement, as some past winners from the competition have become professional singers and performers. Sadly, 2023 will be the final year of the competition. As founder of the competition and head of the judging panel, I am retiring after 39 years at Hal Leonard and we have decided to retire the competition, as well.”
