Our Idols


				Our Idols
				Winners of Classical Idol 5 - 2011
				Kathryn Lewek First Prize Soprano Kathryn Lewek is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. Her recent appearances in Rochester include performances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and with Mercury Opera. She has also made two important debuts at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, and the Perelman stage, Carnegie Hall. Ms. Lewek has recorded two American art song albums on the Albany Records label: Kathryn Lewek sings Cary Ratcliff, and Quicksilver. For the 2011-2012 season, she has accepted a 10-month contract with the Deutsche Opera in Berlin, Germany.
				Vira Slywotzky Second Prize Soprano Vira Slywotzky was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts and completed her education at Yale University Mannes College The New School for Music. She was a young artist for two seasons at both Chautauqua Opera and Seattle Opera, and has performed with the Opera Company of the Highlands and with the Boston Midsummer Opera. Ms. Slywotzky has twice been a Regional Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and she served as the USA Representative to the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition 2009.
				Tyler Wayne Smith Third Prize Countertenor Tyler Wayne Smith was educated at New York University and has studied with disciples of Cornelius Reid, including Lenora Eve. He has performed in roles spanning from Baroque to Contemporary styles, including Handel's Tolomeo, Ruggiero, and Goffredo, Humperdinck's Witch, Purcell's Sorceress, Adam Reifsteck's Three Sunsets and Peter Gilbert's 3 x 3 = ∞. Mr. Smith is the winner of the Opera Singers Initiative's Young Opera Debut Recital Award.
				Jackline Madegwa Audience Favorite Soprano Jackline Madegwa, from Eldoret, Kenya, is a specialist in African music and dance. She has performed 'Donna Elvira' in Mozart's Don Giovanni and the role of 'Mimi' in Puccini's La Boheme. Ms. Madegwa's honors include First Prize winner of the 2nd National Spirituals Solo Voice Competition, the National Association of Teachers of Singing - Illinois District Competition, and the West Virginia Mountain State Classical Competition.
				Blake Friedman Honorable Mention Tenor Blake Friedman has been praised for his "climactic high notes" by QonStage, a webzine for New York's Performances and Arts Review. Mr. Friedman has sung 'Orestes' in The Sacrificer by Halpern, at the New York New Church, and was featured on a recording of Scott Eyerly's new musical, Pooch. Mr. Friedman's other roles have included 'The Prince' in Conrad Susa's Transformations, 'Nemorino' in L'elisir d'amore, 'Paolino' in The Secret Marriage by Cimarosa, 'Don Anchise' in Mozart's La Finta Giardiniera, and 'Buchanan' in Street Scene by Kurt Weill.
				Our Other Finalists Sincere thanks to our other finalists for their wonderful performances at the Classical Idol 5 live finals. We wish ALL of our contestants much success as they continue in their music careers. Alisa Thomason, Soprano Jose del Valle, Tenor Steven Nanni, Tenor Luke Scott, Baritone Stephanie Lauricella, Mezzo Soprano EunSun Kuk, Soprano Kate Maroney, Mezzo Soprano
				Past Idols Click here to learn more about the winners of previous Classical Idol competitions!