Lauren Carroll ’24, a Rice University Shepherd School of Music alumna, earned third place in Houston Grand Opera’s 37th annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers. The highly anticipated event, known as the Concert of Arias, featured seven finalists from across the globe. Carroll, a soprano who studied under professor of voice Nova Thomas, “flawlessly” executed Mozart’s “Come scoglio” from “Così fan tutte” and Verdi’s “Sempre libera” from “La Traviata,” earning a $10,000 prize.
Meg Brilleslyper, a current Master of Music student under professor of voice Robin Rice, also reached the finals and received a $3,500 prize for her performance, which included Massenet’s “Charlotte’s Letter Aria” from “Werther.”
“We take immense pride in Lauren’s and Meg’s remarkable achievements,” said Joshua Winograde, director of opera studies. “Their dedication, artistry and talent exemplify the excellence we strive for at the Shepherd School. Our close connection with Houston Grand Opera underscores our shared commitment to training the next generation of opera’s superstars, and it’s thrilling to see our students shine on such a prestigious stage.”
The competition’s grand prize of $25,000 was awarded to Geonho Lee, a baritone from South Korea, while second place went to Luka Tsevelidze, a tenor from Georgia. The annual event is a cornerstone of Houston Grand Opera’s efforts to spotlight emerging opera talent with finalists vying for cash prizes and potential placement in the prestigious Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio.
Four vocalists with ties to the Shepherd School also advanced to the semifinal round of this year’s competition. Current students Julia Holoman, mezzo-soprano, and Gabriel Natal-Baez, baritone, performed alongside alumni Adam Partridge ’24, baritone, and Dylan Gregg ’22, bass-baritone.
Under the baton of Shepherd School alumnus James Gaffigan ’03, this year’s Concert of Arias marked the first time the Houston Grand Opera orchestra accompanied the competition. The Shepherd School’s influence was also evident on the panel of judges, which included current faculty members Ana María Martínez and Patrick Summers as well as former director of opera studies Michael Heaston, who now serves as deputy general manager of the Metropolitan Opera. Their participation underscores the school’s deep ties to Houston Grand Opera and its impact on shaping the next generation of opera leaders.
Learn more about the Shepherd School’s opera studies program here.
