ALL singers who wish to participate in the Laffont Competition MUST submit an audition video between July 1-31, 2024. The audition videos MUST be recorded between January 1 - July 31, 2024. This submission process is free of charge.
Singers will be notified early September 2024, if they have qualified. They may then register for available slots at the district of their choice, confirming their place with the application fee.
After the qualifying singers have registered, singers who participated but did not qualify may register for available slots at any open district, including the Nebraska District.
Full information including the submission platform "Resonance," eligibility, repertoire requirements & technical instructions can be found at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition site [Application link below].
Dates for the 2024/2025 Season should be updated there later this spring.
The Nebraska District of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition 2023-2024 took place on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Eastmont Living in Lincoln.
2023/24 District and Encouragement Award Winners
Photo left to right: Lauren Paul, Reagan Hinze, Geoffrey Schmelzer, Callie Meikrantz, Katherine Holobinko, Malinda Wagstaff, Gwendolyn Delaney
A HUGE thank you to our wonderful Judges, who braved the weather to make these auditions successful:
Gareth Morrell, Conductor, The Metropolitan Opera, New York, NY Lee Anne Myslewski, Vice President-Opera & Classical Programming, Wolf Trap Foundation, Vienna, VA
and our dedicated accompanist: Hal France
Congratulations to our following award winners for 2023-2024: District Winners: Katherine Holobinko & Lauren Paul (Lauren Paul won an Encouragement Award at the Upper Midwest Regionals in February!)
Opera Omaha Guild Award: Callie Meikrantz Friends of Opera Award: Geoffrey Schmelzer Ky Rohman District Encouragement Awards: Gwendolyn Delaney, Reagan Hinze & Malinda Wagstaff
And a huge thank you to all 18 singers who battled icy roads and cancelled flights to sing for a very appreciative audience!