"(def. Master Singer: one with virtuosic skill, stylistic superiority and artistic brilliance in the art of singing.) "

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Competition: Holly Sorensen, Mezzo-Soprano, and Nicholas Tamagna, Counter-Tenor! Read more about the winners and the rest of the finalists.

presented by the New York Opera Studio (NYOS) and
Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY)

A competition like no other offered in New York City to aspiring singers who wish to advance their careers to the next level, this competition rewards and acknowledges excellent vocal technique and artistry in opera and oratorio.

DCINY and NYOS are proud to announce the eight finalists of the 2012 Nico Castel International Master Singer Competition! The four female finalists are Amaya Arberas Navarro, Courtney Mills, Sara Snider Schone and Maryann Mootos. The four male finalists are Enrique Pina, LaMarcus Miller, Eric Jurenas and Ivan Rivera De Beltran. Congratulations to all of the finalists!

We would also like to congratulate and thank ALL of the fine singers that auditioned this year. What a knock-out group of voices!

One female and one male Master Singer will be named at the finals, which will be held at Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 8:00PM. Tickets may be purchased directly from the venue.

COMPETITION: Eight finalists, four female and four male, selected from the first round of auditions will be invited to perform live in the Master Singer Finalist Concert in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Saturday, February 18, 2012. After the concert one female and one male winner will be named 2012 Nico Castel International Master Singer!

ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to singers at least 21 years old and has no upper age limit.

PRIZES:
1. Each winner will be featured as a soloist in a major choral master work with orchestra on the DCINY Concert Season. DCINY produces high quality concerts in major, world-class venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Disney Hall and others.
2. Each winner will be awarded a $1000 prize.

FEE: There is a $50 application fee. Applications and fees must be received by midnight (EST), Wednesday, November 30, 2011, to be eligible. *All fees are non-refundable.*

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• completed application form
• resume/curriculum vitae
• short bio
• recent photo (although photo may be in black and white for the initial application, Master Singer finalists will be required to submit COLOR, high-resolution headshots for publicity purposes).

The competition is specifically devoted to oratorio and opera, and requires that each applicant prepare and submit two (2) oratorio pieces in varying styles and languages and two (2) opera arias in varying styles and languages. Pieces submitted should be appropriate for your voice type. For on-line applicants, Youtube videos are preferable, up to three (3) MP3s are acceptable. However, AT LEAST ONE selection must be a Youtube video.

Click here to Enter the Competition Now

Or, AUDITION LIVE ON NOVEMBER 20 IN NYC. To reserve an audition time, please contact Scott Walker at 212-707-8566 x 315 or Scott@DCINY.org. You must provide your own accompanist or one will be available at the audition for a fee of $10.

JUDGES: The Jury for the initial elimination and choice of finalists will include: Nico Castel, Artistic Director and Carol Castel, General Manager of New York Opera Studio; and Iris Derke, General Director and Jonathan Griffith, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Distinguished Concerts International New York.

The judges will write personal comments about each auditioner. Each singer will have access online to his or her comments after the winners have been announced.

The Jury for the Master Singer Finalist Concert in New York will include Nico Castel, Jonathan Griffith and at least four other distinguished members of the international music community.

The decisions of the juries will be irrevocable and final.

Finalists and Winners will be responsible for all of their own travel, accommodation and personal expenses. A pianist will be provided at the live auditions, however contestants may bring their own pianist if they prefer.

The Competition reserves the right to choose fewer than eight finalists, should the high standard set by the judges not be represented.

MEET THE JUDGES

Click here to meet the judges.