Soprano Daniela Machado received the first-place award of $15,000 on May 17 in the 54th annual Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition with award-winning arias from Boito’s “Mefistofele” and Verdi’s “I vespri Siciliani.”

Soprano Elizabeth Hanje was the second-place winner and received $10,000. Third-place winner baritone Korin Thomas-Smith received $6,000, and fourth place winner soprano Sunwoo Park received $5,000. Fifth place, and $3,500, was awarded to soprano Anna Thompson, and an Encouragement Award of $2,500 was given to soprano Tivoli Treloar. Career grants of $2,000 each were awarded to bass Cumhur Gorgun, baritone Joshua James Klein, baritone Alexei Kuznietsov and tenor Matthew Sink.

The vocalists in the Grand Finals Concert at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre were accompanied by pianist Brent McMunn. The Loren L. Zachary Society’s mission is to assist in the development of the careers of young opera singers. Judging the finals competition were Dr. Mark Goodrich, soprano Anita Johnson, professor Dr. Michele Patzakis, maestro Daniel Suk and festival organizer Nedra Zachary.

For information, visit zacharysociety.org.