Vero Beach Opera has enriched Vero’s outstanding cultural offerings by presenting glorious professional productions and concerts for the past 38 seasons. In addition, this year marks the 13th anniversary of its Rising Stars Opera Festival, which culminates with the Rising Stars Vocal Competition.
Joan Ortega-Cowan, VBO president and executive director, encapsulates this exciting highlight of the opera season, which took place April 15-17.
“This marks our 13th year presenting competitions, and it’s always exciting because it connects us to the top rising opera singers in the entire world. We have met so many promising young opera singers throughout this process and we are proud to support and foster their careers,” she says.
Already up-and-comers in the opera realm, the Rising Stars participants are chosen by VBO from the crème de la crème of the talented young opera singers competing in the world today.
This year’s intense, three-day competition concluded with a wonderful concert featuring the eight finalists, followed by the awards presentation.
Representing a wealth of knowledge and experience, the impressive panel of jurists was definitely up to the challenging task. Jurists included VBO artistic director and jury president Roman Ortega-Cowan; VBO and Varna International music director/conductor Gregory Buchalter; VBO designer, producer and stage director Nicholas Muni; and MET Opera star, soprano Susan Neves.
The First, Second and Third Place prizes were provided by the Kleinschmidt Family Foundation.
Winner of the $10,000 First Place prize was Mexican-American soprano and Flagstaff, Ariz., native Catherine Thornsley. With degrees from Northern Arizona University and the University of British Columbia, Thornsley is a two-time national semifinalist in the MET’s Laffont Competition.
Committed to making classical music more accessible, Thornsley says she often collaborates with local opera companies and musicians to engage diverse audiences.
From 2023-2025, Thornsley was resident artist at the renowned Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, N.Y., where she covered Mimi in “La Bohème,” Nedda in “Pagliacci” and Tosca in “Tosca.” She then made her Glimmerglass principal role debut in 2024 as the Queen in the world premiere of “Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children,” followed in 2025 as Cathy Queen of Cats in the premiere of “The House on Mango Street.”
For the Rising Stars competition, Thornsley revealed her dramatic versatility, vocal range and technical command as she inhabited diverse characters, from the titular role in Puccini’s “Tosca,” singing the desperate prayer “Vissi d’arte,” to returning post-intermission to sing the intensely emotional and lyrical “Ain’t it a pretty night” from “Susanna” by Carlisle Floyd.
Thornsley describes the VBO experience as “wonderful! We received valuable feedback and advice from judges who have built distinguished careers in opera. The overall atmosphere of the competition was welcoming, and it was inspiring to connect with other artists who share the same passion.”
She adds that competitions play a key role in a performer’s career by providing performance opportunities and professional development.
“They challenge us to refine our repertoire, present ourselves at a high level, and grow under pressure. Most competitions also offer access to feedback from experienced professionals and help to foster connections within the opera community essential for long-term growth in the field.
It was,” she reiterated, “a wonderful experience.”
The $5,000 Second Place winner, mezzo soprano Ariana Maubach, displayed a full-bodied vocal range and style as well as serious acting chops as she performed the aria “Una voce poco fa” from Rossini’s “Il Barbieri di Siviglia,” in the role of the headstrong Rosina.
Employing warmer, darker tones, Maubach returned to the stage as Delilah in the seduction aria “Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix” from Saint-Saëns’ “Samson et Delilah.”
Maubach opined that competitions such as Rising Stars are “invaluable” at this stage of a performer’s development.
“They offer not only meaningful exposure to leading industry professionals, but also the opportunity to build genuine connections with those shaping the field. The feedback alone is incredibly insightful; guidance you simply can’t replicate elsewhere,” says Maubach.
“Experiences like this accelerate growth, deepen artistic perspective, and open doors that can define the next steps of a career,” she adds.
Showcasing an elegant and compelling instrument, Luke Norvell, a “New Jersey-based” tenor from Tacoma, Wash., was recipient of the $3,000 Third Place prize.
A 2025 graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts, Norvell performed Ferrando in “Così fan tutte” at Sarasota Opera, and covered Duca in “Rigoletto” at the Canadian Opera Company this season.
During the summer of 2025, Norvell was a resident artist at the prestigious International Meistersinger Akademie in Germany.
His coming appearances include Rodolfo in “La Bohème” at the Grange Festival in the U.K., and Alfredo in “La traviata” at both the Canadian Opera Company and the Sarasota Opera.
“My time at the Vero Beach Opera competition was a memorable one, in which I saw old friends and met new ones,” says Norvell. “The competition was very strong, and I was honored to be one of the prize winners.”
He, too, comments on the importance of competitions for young singers.
“The potential to win money is one great opportunity, but the potential to build connections through qualified and connected members of the panel can perhaps be more lucrative in the future,” Norvell explains.
The other talented singers received $1,000 Encouragement Awards.
Provided by Vero Beach Opera – bass-baritone Justice Yates, whose rich voice, filled with passion, pulled the audience into the moment.
Provided by the Louis L. Lawson Legacy Fund – baritone Ryan Wolfe, whose selections “Die Tote Stadt” by Korngold and “Starbuck’s Aria “from “Moby Dick” by Heggie, showcased the range of his deep, smooth voice, giving each note its due to the very edges.
Provided in Memory of Sofia Blanchard – tenor Levi Adkins brought characters to life with a powerful vocal performance, dramatic flair, emotion and passion.
Provided in Memory of Sofia Blanchard – Polish American soprano Eliza Lucyna, whose crisp, appealing, often stratospheric vocals, flirty charm and dramatic skill perfectly colored her performances.
Provided in Memory of Henri Lemoine – soprano Stephanie Pfundt, who with a strong, full-bodied voice, dramatic yet controlled, skillfully delivered mixed emotions and impressive high C’s.
Further enriching this year’s Rising Stars Festival were performances by 2021 Rising Stars First Prize winner, soprano Meryl Dominguez, and 2013 First Prize winner, baritone David Pershall, who performed individually before joining hilariously as Rosina and Figaro in the witty duet “Dunque io son” from Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.”
The incomparable collaborative pianist Anna Fateeva and the ever-charming Master of Ceremonies Ian Campbell perfectly supported this year’s Rising Stars competition.
For more information, visit VeroBeachOpera.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
