The Kristin Lewis Foundation Vocal Scholarship Auditions provide financial awards to young singers who demonstrate the potential for careers in opera performance. Finalists have the opportunity to receive immediate feedback from judges, and become coached in singing technique, diction, interpretation, style, and presentation by these leading professionals in their fields. An opportunity to receive an all expense paid trip to Vienna, Austria, for one full week of vocal training; acting and foreign language instruction and vocal coaching at the Vienna State Opera is available. Other financial awards in the form of scholarships toward professional pursuits are also available.
The Kristin Lewis Foundation Vocal Scholarship Auditions are designed to shine a spotlight on deserving, talented, and committed vocal students. Students must be within the ages 18-25, studying full time at a U.S. college or university, in order to be eligible to apply. The Kristin Lewis Foundation Vocal Scholarships are awarded in Spring.
To be accepted into the Scholarship Auditions, singers must prepare 5 operatic arias of contrasting languages and styles. The auditions begin with a Pre-Screening Round, by which two selections must be uploaded as video or audio files and sent per email to the Kristin Lewis Foundation at kristinlewisfoundation@gmail.com. The deadline for receiving the completed application, professional headshot, proof of age and academic study, and video/audio file is announced each year. Applicants will be notified if they have advanced to the second and final rounds. The second round and final award auditions will take place on the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College campus.
The Kristin Lewis Vocal Scholarship Auditions will have four phases. The first phase will be a prescreening of applicants. Each applicant will be asked to submit a recording of 2 operatic arias. From the total list of applicants, up to 15 singers will be invited to participate in the second round, which will be live auditions on the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College campus. The judges would then lead the next phase by conducting 30 minute feed back/coaching sessions with each singer. The participants will also have the opportunity to meet with Kristin Lewis, to talk about practical areas of interest in opera and performing. Each singer will participate in the Final Round, singing at least 2 arias before the judges and a live audience. There will be up to 5 award recipients named, with the first receiving a one-week, all expense paid trip to Vienna, Austria.
