The winners of the 2025 National Vocal Competition Grand Finals Concert were honored on May 18. (photo courtesy of the Loren L. Zachary Society)

The 53rd annual Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition Grand Finals Concert was held on Sunday, May 18, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

Ten finalists selected from a nationwide search competed in the opera competition. Soprano Lydia Grindatto won the $15,000 first prize; tenor Ben Reisinger received the $10,000 second prize; mezzo-soprano Madeleine Lyon won the $6,000 third prize; Baritone Paul Jang was honored with the $5,000 fourth prize and Soprano Sunwoo Park won the $3,500 fifth prize. The Encouragement Grant of $2,500 was presented to bass Michael Mensah. Baritone Benjamin Dickerson, mezzo-soprano Anna Kelly, tenor Alec Carlson and soprano Magdalena Kuzma each received $2,000 grants.

The Loren L. Zachary Society for the Performing Arts was founded in 1972 by the late Loren L. Zachary and its current president, Nedra Zachary. The organization’s goal is to assist in the development of the careers of young opera singers through the annual Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition. For information, visit zacharysociety.org.