Opera Columbus has unveiled the five finalists for its prestigious Cooper-Bing Competition, celebrating its 41st season. This internationally renowned vocal competition, often called the “Olympics of Opera,” shines a spotlight on rising opera talent. The finalists will compete for a grand prize of $10,000 on Sunday, May 18th, at 3:00 PM at the historic Southern Theatre in Columbus. The event aims to provide a powerful platform for emerging artists to launch their careers.
This year’s competition saw 284 applicants from across the globe, including a significant international presence, submitting repertoire in various languages. The finalists represent a diverse pool of talent: Caroline Bergan (soprano), Edward Graves (tenor), Yeonjae (Chloé) Kim (mezzo-soprano), Cecelia McKinley (contralto), and Page Michels (soprano). In addition to the main prizes, an inaugural Cooper-Bing Spirit Award will be presented to Dr. Chad Payton for his contributions to nurturing young opera artists.
The finals will feature an esteemed panel of adjudicators, including Antoine T. Clark, Richard Gammon, and Chandler Johnson, with Christopher Purdy returning as master of ceremonies. Tickets for the event are $15 and include a champagne toast reception with the artists following the competition. Opera Columbus continues its mission to uplift young and emerging artists worldwide through this significant program.
Source: https://operacolumbus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Cooper-Bing-Press-Release.pdf