Top vocalists sing for their futures at Alltech’s 11th annual Vocal Scholarship Competition
[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Twenty-one voices with a shared dream: Undergraduate and graduate-level students sang for a chance at that dream on Sunday evening at Alltech’s 11th annual Vocal Scholarship Competition. Of the 250 singers from 25 states and six countries who competed in the preliminary competition, 21 finalists from four regions of the world stunned audiences when they took to the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center stage in Lexington, Ky., to compete for more than a half-million dollars in scholarships and prizes.
The operatic performances elicited powerful emotional responses from the audience and judges alike. Contestants were scored on their recitals based on voice, technical skill, interpretation, accuracy and appearance, each demonstrating a strong dedication to the science of singing and a passionate love for their art.
“Each and every singer has a story,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, at the event. “Today, they are singing for their futures. When you encourage people to do what makes their heart sing, the world really changes.”
And for some of the young singers, their world really did change through awards including full tuition waivers to the University of Kentucky.
Overall winners of the 2016 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition are:
- First Place Alltech Graduate Winner: Makeda D. Hampton, Huntsville, Ala.
- Second Place Alltech Graduate Winner: Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa, Philadelphia, Pa.
- First Place Alltech Undergraduate Winner: Lydia Grace Graham, Danville, Ky.
- Second Place Alltech Undergraduate Winner: Hayden S. Smith, Louisville, Ky.
- Addington & Mills Incoming Transfer Award: Taylor P. Comstock, Independence, Mo.
- Enterprise Car Rental Transfer Award: Izhar Poncelis, Mexico City, Mexico.
“I am very thankful for Alltech and UK Opera for creating this opportunity for young singers to perform and continue their higher education,” Hampton said. “It’s a great accomplishment for me after a lot of hard work.”
Launched in 2006, the annual competition at the University of Kentucky marks a continued partnership between Alltech and the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre department. This partnership has created the largest vocal competition in Kentucky and positioned UK Opera Theatre as a Richard Tucker Foundation top-recommended opera program. Alltech's support of this competition led to it being named a top ten company in the United States supporting the arts by Americans for the Arts in 2012.
“This competition has changed the face of UK Opera Theatre throughout the world,” said Everett McCorvey, director of the UK Opera Theatre. “The University of Kentucky School of Music, with its internationally recognized faculty, was already known for producing excellent graduates, but now it is also considered one of the top places in the world for vocal study and operatic training and performance.
“This would not have happened without the involvement and vision of Dr. Pearse and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, and the support of the University of Kentucky administration and local businesses,” continued McCorvey. “This is an excellent example of what happens when business and academia come together to create something special for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
Alltech Vocal Scholars have contributed to Alltech's philanthropic efforts in Haiti by teaching music to the children at Alltech-sponsored primary schools in the country. They have also performed at numerous Alltech events, including the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM, Alltech’s annual international symposium, Ambassador dinners around the world, the annual Celebration of Song and the Gathering Ireland 2013.
