Wood Vocal Competition

Founded in 2015, The Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition (Wood Competition) is a collaboration between the New Orleans Opera Association, Loyola University New Orleans College of Music and Fine Arts, Tulane University Department of Music, and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. The contest is open to all Louisiana high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The Wood Competition promotes artistic excellence, provides financial support to young vocalists, and encourages young local singers in vocal music.

Created by board member Debby Hirsch Wood in honor of her late husband Donald W. Wood Sr., the Wood family has granted funding for the competition to continue in perpetuity in his name. Donald Wood Sr. loved opera and was supportive of NOOA’s educational endeavors.

Applications for The 5th Annual Wood Vocal Competition are now LIVE!

The Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. in the Freda Lupin Memorial Hall at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts at 2800 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70117.  The Wood Competition is in its fifth year as a significant young artist entry vehicle into the professional realm of singing.  Past participants have enjoyed regional, national and international celebrity as young artist professionals. The competition is a collaborative effort between the New Orleans Opera Association, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Tulane University, and Loyola University New Orleans.

 

All local and regional voice teachers are invited to enter their students for this contest, and the deadline is Midnight, Tuesday, September 10, 2019.  From the pool of applicants, a selection of approximately 25 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be chosen by the New Orleans Opera Association to sing in the competition.  Two first-place winners (male and female) will be awarded $1,000 each; two second-place winners (male and female) will receive $500 each. Please download the informational flier and competition application to share with others.

 

Check-in will be at 12:30 p.m. on October 26, 2019, with the competition beginning promptly at 1:00 p.m. The Donald W. Wood, Jr. Competition is free and open to the public and should end by 5:00 p.m.

Winners of the 2018 Wood Vocal Competition

Left to right: Dade Michael Dufrene, Olivia Belle Gray, Julian Maccrea Revell,Debby Hirsch Wood, Sarah-Katherine McCallum,  Ashton Louis Stephens,  Andrew David Aceves, Lauren A. Albano, Kieva Ja’Lisa Banks. Photo credit: Tomas Grosscup at Nunemaker Hall at Loyola University, Sunday, October 21, 2018

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS OF THE 2018-2019
DONALD W. WOOD SR. VOCAL COMPETITION

The New Orleans Opera Association proudly announces the winners at the October 21, 2018 Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition held at Nunemaker Auditorium Loyola University New Orleans:

FIRST PLACE FEMALE: Olivia Belle Gray, a Junior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

FIRST PLACE MALE: Dade Michael Dufrene, a Senior at Hahnville High School (Boutte, Louisiana), Teacher: Craig Matherne

SECOND PLACE FEMALE: Sarah-Katherine McCallum, a Senior at Cedar School (Ruston, Louisiana), Teacher: Claire Vangelisti

SECOND PLACE MALE: Julian Maccrea Revell, Senior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

1. Kieva Ja’Lisa Banks, a Junior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

2. Lauren A. Albano, a Sophomore at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

3. Andrew David Aceves, a Senior at St. Paul’s High School (Covington, Louisiana), Teacher: Gail Adams

4. Ashton Louis Stephens, a Senior at Holy Cross High School (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Meredith Hotard

Round 2 Finalists:

Andrew David Aceves, a Senior at St. Paul’s High School (Covington, Louisiana), Teacher: Gail Adams

Lauren A. Albano, a Sophomore at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

Kieva Ja’Lisa Banks, a Junior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

Jacob Benjamin Burstain, (M), Senior, Lusher Charter School (New Orleans, Louisiana) Teacher: Dreux Montegut

Dade Michael Dufrene, a Senior at Hahnville High School (Boutte, Louisiana), Teacher: Craig Matherne

Julia Anne Ernst, (F), Junior, Archbishop Hannan High School, (Covington, Louisiana), Teacher: Maryann Kyle

Olivia Belle Gray, a Junior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

Sarah-Katherine McCallum, a Senior at Cedar School (Ruston, Louisiana), Teacher: Claire Vangelisti

Bailey Brian Milburn, (M), Junior, Chalmette High School, (Boutte, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar

Julian Maccrea Revell, Senior at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

Abigail Victoria Roques, (F), Junior, Pensacola Christian Academy, (Slidell, Louisiana), Teacher: Joy Meade

Ashton Louis Stephens IV, (M), Senior, Holy Cross High School, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Meredith Hotard

Participants of the 2018 Wood Vocal Competition

THE NEW ORLEANS OPERA ASSOCIATION PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THE 
STUDENTS CHOSEN
 TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2018-2019 DONALD W. WOOD SR. VOCAL COMPETITION
  • Andrew David Aceves, (M), Senior, St. Paul’s High School (Covington, Louisiana), Teacher: Gail Adams
  • Lauren A. Albano, (F), Sophomore, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Jenna Victoria Adcock, (F), Junior Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Vassar
  • Kieva Ja’Lisa Banks, (F) Junior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Dallas Charles Blackmore, (M) Sophomore, Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar
  • Ariana Justine Marie Blakely, (F) Junior, Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar
  • Logan Lee Brewer, (M), Junior, Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar
  • Benjamin Jacob Burstain, (M), Senior, Lusher Charter School (New Orleans, Louisiana) Teacher: Dreux Montegut
  • Charlotte Dresser Butler, (F), Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Marigny G. Cortez, (F), Senior, Hahnville High School, (Boutte, Louisiana), Teacher: Craig Matherne
  • Devin J. Cruice, (M), Junior, Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar
  • Madeleine E. Cucullu, (F), Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Alejandra Sofia Dollis, (F), Sophomore, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Dade Michael Dufrene, (M), Senior, Hahnville High School, (Boutte, Louisiana), Teacher: Craig Matherne
  • Julia Anne Ernst, (F), Junior, Archbishop Hannan High School, (Covington, Louisiana), Teacher: Maryann Kyle
  • Isabella Sophia Farrugia, (F), Sophomore, Mount Carmel Academy, (New Orleans, Louisiana) Teacher: Lauren Mouncy Gisclair
  • Molly Catherine Gaffney, (F), Senior, St. Mary’s Dominican High School, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Brenda Castillo
  • Elijah Pierce Geeting, (M), Junior, Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar
  • Olivia Belle Gray, (F), Junior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Olivia Pearl Keefe, (F), Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Diana Claire Ledet, (F), Senior, Ursuline Academy, (New Orleans, Louisiana) Teacher: Diana Haddad Cangemi
  • Sarah-Katherine McCallum, (F), Senior, Cedar Creek School (Ruston, Louisiana), Teacher: Claire Vangelisti
  • David Keith Meyer, (M), Junior, Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar
  • Bailey Brian Milburn, (M), Junior, Chalmette High School, (Chalmette, Louisiana), Teacher: Annelise Cassar
  • Elizabeth Clare Peters, (F), Junior, Mount Carmel Academy, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Dreux Montegut
  • Julian Revell, (M), Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle
  • Abigail Victoria Roques, (F), Junior, Pensacola Christian Academy, (Slidell, Louisiana), Teacher: Joy Meade
  • Sarah Victoria Schexnayder, (F), Junior, Mandeville High School/New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (Mandeville, Louisiana and New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher (Mandeville ; Phyllis Treigle
  • Kate Ashton Stanford, (F), Senior, St. Joseph’s Academy (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Teacher: Terry Patrick-Harris
  • Ashton Louis Stephens IV, (M), Senior, Holy Cross High School, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Meredith Hotard

Treshor Corine Stirgus, (F), Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, (New Orleans, Louisiana), Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

Winners of The 2017 Wood Vocal Competition

Pictured left to right: Director, Debby Hirsch Wood, Rafael Jose Rovelo, Abigail Victoria Roques, William Nicholas Dopp, Olivia Belle Gray, Conrad J. Alleman, & Madeleine Eugenie Cucullu

Education Menu

Download Information Flier Here:

YouthVocalCompetitionFlyer

Download Application Here:

2019 Wood Competition Application

Founder and Director
Debby Hirsch Wood
2018 Sponsors
Lily and Brian Monk
Benefactor
Arthur A. Crais Jr.
Patrons
Penny and Al Baumer
Peter R. Brigandi Jr
Nina and Larry Pugh
Susan and Vern Raburn

Questions?

For more information or for any questions contact
William Manning Mouat,
Director of Education
504-267-9535
education@neworleansopera.org

Past Winners

OCTOBER 15, 2017 at Dixon Annex Recital Hall, Tulane University

 

FIRST PLACE FEMALE
ABIGAIL VICTORIA ROQUES
Sophomore, Pensacola Christian School (Slidell, Louisiana)
Teacher: Joy Meade

 

SECOND PLACE FEMALE:
OLIVIA BELLE GRAY
Junior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

 

FIRST PLACE MALE
RAFAEL JOSE ROVELO
Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

 

SECOND PLACE MALE
WILLIAM NICHOLAS DOPP
Senior, Loranger High (Loranger, Louisiana),
Teacher: Steven Rushing

 

HONORABLE MENTION FEMALE
MADELEINE EUGENIE CUCULLU
Junior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts,
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

 

HONORABLE MENTION MALE:
CONRAD J. ALLEMAN II
Senior, Hahnville High School, (Boutte, Louisiana),
Teacher Craig Matherne

October 15, 2016 at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

FIRST PLACE FEMALE
Victoria Elizabeth Richard, Senior, Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts, Opelousas, Louisiana
Teacher: Corliss Smith

 

SECOND PLACE FEMALE
Sarah-Katherine McCallum, Sophomore, Cedar Creek School, Ruston, Louisiana
Teachers: Claire Vangelisti, Cindy Hockenjos

 

FIRST PLACE MALE
William Nicholas Dopp, Junior, Loranger High School, Loranger, Louisiana
Teacher: Brent Goodrich Smith

 

SECOND PLACE MALE
Andrew David Aceves, Sophomore, St. Paul’s School, Covington, Louisiana
Teacher: Gail Adams

 

HONORABLE MENTION
Madeleine Eugenie Cucullu,  Sophomore, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

 

October 17, 2015 at Loyola University’s Rousell Hall

 

FIRST PLACE FEMALE
Emily Sheets, Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

 

FIRST PLACE MALE
Ryan Reynolds, Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

 

SECOND PLACE FEMALE
Imani Sarai Francis, Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

 

SECOND PLACE MALE
Eddie Falshaw, Junior, Holy Cross/New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Lauren Gisclair

 

HONORABLE MENTION
Lindsey Reynolds, Senior, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Teacher: Phyllis Treigle

education@neworleansopera.org