Schmidt Vocal Arts Announces Winners of 2025 National Vocal Competition:
Savannah Weldon, soprano, First Place Taylor-Marie Robinson, soprano, Second Place
Jane Hasty, soprano, Third Place
Acclaimed Final Round Judges included mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, countertenor John Holiday of The Voice, and Melissa Wegner of the Metropolitan Opera
[Sarasota, FL, June 2, 2025]—Schmidt Vocal Arts (SVA), the premier national organization supporting early-career classical singers, announces the winners of its fourth annual National Vocal Competition for high school singers, held at the Sarasota Opera House on May 31 and June 1 in Sarasota, Florida.
A distinguished panel of adjudicators from the opera field—mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, countertenor John Holiday, and Melissa Wegner, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and the Laffont Competition— judged the final round of the competition.
The three top prizes were awarded to:
Savannah Weldon, soprano, from New York, NY First Place: $10,000 Taylor-Marie Robinson soprano, from Greenville, SC Second Place: $7,500 Jane Hasty, soprano, from Burbank, CA Third Place: $5,000
“The future of classical singing is not a distant vision—it’s unfolding right now, and it’s incredibly exciting to witness,” said renowned soprano and SVA Board member Christine Goerke. “These young artists bring a level of presence, skill, and musical maturity well beyond their years, and they are only just beginning their journeys. The work of SVA extends far beyond the stage; it’s about fostering community, nurturing potential, and creating space for emerging talent to thrive. I’m honored to be part of an organization so deeply committed to this essential work.”