The Dallas Opera has declared the victors of its National Vocal Competition.

Taking the top spot was baritone Navasard Hakobyan, a vocalist of Armenian descent currently in his second year at the Butler Studio of Houston Grand Opera. Hakobyan clinched the first prize at the 2022 Eleanor McCollum Competition Concert of Arias. His repertoire includes notable performances at Houston Grand Opera, featuring works such as 'Madama Butterfly', 'La Traviata', and 'The Marriage of Figaro'.

Securing second place was bass-baritone Jongwon Hon, who commenced his journey with Santa Fe Opera as an Apprentice Artist in 2022 before moving on to the Adler Fellowship Program at San Francisco Opera.

A shared third place was awarded to sopranos Elisa Sunshine and Katerina Burton. Sunshine, a recent graduate of the Adler Fellowship Program, dazzled audiences at the San Francisco Opera in “Die Frau ohne Schatten.” Meanwhile, Burton, an alumna of the Cafritz Young Artist Program, made her debut in “Carmen” with the Washington National Opera.

Additionally, the Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award was bestowed upon Lisa Marie Rogali. This mezzo-soprano has graced the stages of numerous esteemed opera houses including Detroit Opera, Minnesota Opera, the Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, North Carolina Opera, and Opera Saratoga.

The final event occurred on March 8, 2024.