Part of the mission of SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios includes recognizing and creating opportunities for emerging artists, as well as supporting their advancement to the next stage of artistic development.

To achieve this objective, SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios instituted a competition for emerging artists. Since the inaugural competition in 2020, SAS has awarded over $50,000 to support the career development of emerging artists. Previous winners have gone on to participate in young artist programs and debuted with major companies across Europe and the United States, including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Sarasota Opera, Tulsa Opera, Florida Grand Opera, The English National Opera, and Staatsoper Berlin.

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In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, this year's competition will focus on the music of American composers in opera, musical theater, and song.

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Dates: 

First Round: On line application and submissions cut off date September 6, 2026.

Semifinals: October 23, 2026 - Live at Piano Piano Studios NYC

Finals: October 25, 2026 - Live at The National Opera Center NYC

​Applications now being accepted. Click link on bottom of this page.  

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Competition Awards

1st Place: $3,000

2nd Place:  $1000 The Luana DeVol Award for The Dramatic Voice

3rd Place: $500 The LC Vaughn Sankofa Memorial Award for Emerging Artists 

                  in conjunction with the LC Vaughn Sankofa Memorial Arts Fund. 

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Classical Cross Over Award:  $500

The Frank Surdi Memorial Award​

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ELIGIBILITY

• The competition is open to all performers who are pursuing a career in opera.  If you also have an interest in classical crossover, please consider including that in your application. 

• The performer's challenge: demonstrate proper technique and an understanding of the text and style through the music and lyrics.

• Classical crossover is a genre that bridges classical and popular music, typically appealing to audiences of both styles. The most common form involves classically trained performers, often operatic artists, performing selections from the Great American Songbook and American Musical Theater. 

• Age Requirement 20+

• An accompanist will be provided at no cost.

• Submitted materials cannot be returned.

• Submission of this application does not guarantee an audition

• SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios, Inc. is not responsible for any expenses during the competition.

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APPLICATION & FEES*

• $ 35 Application Fee*

      *Application Fee non refundable

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HOW TO APPLY

• Complete the online application.

• The cut-off date for applications is the end of day Sunday, September 6, 2026.

• Please follow the submission guidelines for both the Opera and Crossover categories in full.

• For inquiries, please contact competitions@sasperformingarts.com.

• Throughout the competition, the judges' decision is final.

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JUDGES:

Over the years, our distinguished judges have included Metropolitan Opera Artists Latonia Moore, KS Tichina Vaughn, Kirsten Chambers, Luana DeVol, Dr. Isola Jones,  Anthony Laciura, and Vernon Hartman. International Artists Virginia Grasso, Amy Johnson, Janice Hall, and Christine Moore, Music Executive/Career Counselor Deborah Surdi, Collaborative Pianist and Coach Mary Pinto, and Artistic Director Stephen Scovasso.    Judges for 2026 to be announced.

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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

FIRST ROUND

• Submit Three (3) selections One (1) being from standard repertoire and two (2) by American composers*

• If you are interested in the Crossover award, please include one selection of this nature as outlined above.

• The submission should be of a good-quality video recording. Only video recordings will be accepted. YouTube links are acceptable if the recording is recent (within a year). A recording that is not clear cannot be judged.  

• Each selection should be uploaded separately.

• For the first round only, no repertoire changes are allowed once SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios, Inc. receive your submitted materials.

• Your most recent headshot and resume must be downloaded.

• Please submit the application fee online.

Your application will not be considered complete unless all requirements are met.

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SEMI-FINALS

• The Semi-finalists will be announced by email and on social media on/or before September 20, 2026.

• The semi-finals will be held live in New York City on Friday, October 23, 2026.

• Your repertoire for the semi-final competition should consist entirely of American composers.

• The Finalists will be announced at that time.

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FINALS

• The Final Competition will be held live in New York City at The National Opera Center on Sunday, October 25, 2026.  Participation in the finals is required in order to be eligible for consideration.

• Your repertoire for the final competition should consist of one standard repertoire selection and one composition by an American composer.

• The winners will be announced at the end of the final competition.

 

 

*​ Some American Composers - Adamo, Adams, Argento, Barber, Beach, Bernstein, Blanchard, Bolcom, Ching, Cipullo, Copland, Corligano, Davis, Floyd, Glass, Gershwin, Gordon, Heggie, Higdon, Hoiby, Ives, Joplin, Larson, Mazzoli, Menotti, Moore, Musgrave, Pasatieri, Puts, Rorem, Thomson, and Ward, and  Weisgall.