Wirth Vocal Prize 2020-2021: Semi-Final

Webcast from Pollack Hall

New this year is the public semi-final round, offering an additional opportunity for the jury and audience members to hear the candidates. In a format similar to a professional audition, the 8 semi-finalist singers select the first piece of their program and the jury chooses the next piece(s) from the provided repertoire list. 

Wirth Vocal Prize 2020-2021 Semi-finalists:

• Ariadne Lih, soprano with Nate Ben-Horin, piano and Sylvain Bergeron, archlute 
• Jacqueline Woodley, soprano with Jennifer Szeto, piano and Sylvain Bergeron, archlute
• Olivier Gagnon, tenor with Jennifer Szeto, piano 
• Emily Richter, soprano with Rebecca Klassen-Wiebe, piano 
• Avery Lafrentz, soprano with Esther Gonthier, piano 
• Wesley Harrison, tenor with Esther Gonthier, piano
• Jessica Toupin, soprano with Kerry Agnew, piano 
• Raphaël Laden-Guindon, baritone with Kerry Agnew, piano 

The Wirth Vocal Prize, established as a result of Elizabeth Wirth’s landmark gift in 2015, is awarded annually to an outstanding voice student at the Schulich School of Music who demonstrates exceptional skill and artistry. The first-place prize in the competition is valued at $25,000, a maximum of three runners-up will receive a $1000 prize.