2026 Winners

Click Here to View the Projects of Special Merit Archive

​​

​Erwin H. Johnson Memorial Fund Inc., for Opera

Kiki the Kitten & the Tiny Squeak Opera Education Book & Outreach Program

Kiki the Kitten & the Tiny Squeak was a much-requested outreach program for the Erwin H. Johnson Memorial Fund, Inc. for Opera. It consists of two parts, the children’s coloring-story book, Kiki the Kitten & the Tiny Squeak, and its corresponding education Zoom program based on the book.

In addition to being an intro to opera and classical music, both the book and classes highlight the proven interconnectivity between ourselves, Earth and all living things through sound and music. 

 

The educational, multimedia Zoom presentation consists of slides, video clips, and hands-on activities. Attendees experience critical thinking games, simple operatic breathing and singing exercises, singalongs, and short, interesting, scientific experiments, such as attaching electrodes to plants and hearing them sing, watching how a Mozart aria moves sand into designs, seeing water bend to sound, vibration and more.

​

Zoom sessions are held at local libraries, community centers, schools, and afterschool youth groups. The 2025 session reached 227 children in disadvantaged and inner city communities, .

​

Knoxville Opera Camerata

Open Mainstage Final Dress Rehearsals for K-12 Students

During the 2025–2026 season, Knoxville Opera is opening free access to final dress rehearsals of three mainstage productions for K-12 students and their families: Bizet’s Carmen (October 2025), Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (February 2026), and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (May 2026). These rehearsals take place in two iconic venues in downtown Knoxville: the Historic Tennessee Theatre and the Historic Bijou Theatre.

​

The program offers a rare and transformative opportunity for young people to experience world-class opera in a professional theater setting before the production formally opens to the public. Students and families were welcomed into two of Knoxville’s most historic performing arts venues, helping connect young audiences to both opera and the cultural life of downtown Knoxville. They experience the artistic process at a moment when all elements, singers, orchestra, staging, costumes, and technical design, come together in a powerful way.

The first open dress rehearsal, for Carmen in October 2025, welcomed over 300 attendees, demonstrating strong community interest and confirming the need for this type of access-based program. Two additional open dress rehearsals are planned for The Barber of Seville (February 2026) and Gianni Schicchi (May 2026).

​

Audience feedback confirms that this initiative directly addresses access barriers. In a post-event survey, 83% of respondents indicated that barriers exist that prevent them from attending opera, and the majority indicated they would not attend without free access. Overall experience ratings were extremely high, averaging 4.92 out of 5, and respondents reported a strong likelihood of returning, averaging 4.83 out of 5.

​

Opera Theatre of St Louis

Crafting an Approach to Arts Advocacy

The project was developed by Tyler McKenzie, Manager of Volunteer Engagement (staff) and Diane McCullough, Advocacy Committee Chair. The two work together annually to provide support of Missouri Citizens for the Arts during Arts Advocacy Week and beyond.

 

Tyler met with Kyna Iman, a state lobbyist for the arts, in November of 2025 to gain insight as to how the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Guild can best support Missouri Citizens for the Arts (MCA) Arts Advocacy Week. Kyna suggested meetings with specific legislators as well as having volunteers or staff "adopt legislators" through MCA's year round project called "Adopt a Legislator."

 

Using what we had learned from the two previous years of limited participation, Diane and Tyler developed a plan to expand the impact of the Guild's advocacy efforts. Diane coordinated a plan for those who can advocate from home that includes materials on the importance of arts funding, the economic impact of the arts, and talking points for volunteers to incorporate in their conversations with legislators and their aides. Tyler developed a schedule of appointments, drafted materials and talking points, and coordinated transportation to the capitol.

 

Twelve volunteers and staff members meet with 9 state legislators at the state capitol, spoke with several other legislators, and will continue to maintain relationships with the representatives throughout the year. Dozens of others have contacted their representatives voicing their support for funding the arts.

​​

Young Patronesses of the Opera

​Voice Competition

The YPO/Florida Grand Opera Voice Competition is a biennial event that identifies and celebrates emerging operatic talent in South Florida. The competition provides young singers with performance opportunities, professional mentorship, and the chance to receive significant awards, including a top prize of $10,000. Singers must be 30 years old or younger as of the application deadline and compete in two divisions: Junior (ages 20–25) and Senior (ages 26–30). This year, the event is taking place on May 2, 2026 at the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ.

​

Professional Collaboration: The Florida Grand Opera provides critical support through professional artistic oversight, including adjudication, guidance for participants, and assistance with staging and production. The competition also engages professional vocal coaches, pianists, and accompanists who provide mentorship, accompany rehearsals, and contribute to the quality of performances. Together, volunteers, the Competition Committee, and professionals create a seamless experience that combines community dedication with artistic excellence.

​

The competition draws singers from around the world, many of whom are students or graduates of leading voice programs and have significant performance experience in young artist programs. Judges select up to 10 finalists, all of whom receive at least $1,000, with top prizes of $10,000 for the Senior division and $7,500 for the Junior division. In addition to performance experience, finalists gain valuable feedback from expert judges and access to professional networking opportunities that help launch careers in opera and classical music.

*** The finals is open to the public and we expect 75 + attendees. Beyond the participants, the competition educates and inspires audiences, reinforcing the value of arts education and community support for the performing arts.

 

​