Houston District, Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition

03/23/2026

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Bravi tutti to all of the incredible finalists who performed in today’s Grand Finals Concert. ✨

The 2026 Laffont Competition Grand Finals Winners are baritone , soprano .anje, soprano , soprano , baritone , and soprano

Congratulations!

Photo by Natalie Powers / Met Opera

03/16/2026

Great news, lots of Houston connections with this group of singers who will be in the Grand Finals Concert next Sunday at 2pm Central time! Audio broadcast will be a MetOpera/org/livestream. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CfFBWia6U/

Announcing the 2026 Laffont Competition Finalists! ✨

Sophia Baete, Mezzo-Soprano
Shannon Crowley, Soprano
Elizabeth Hanje, Soprano
Song Hee Lee, Soprano
Gabriel Natal- Báez, Baritone
Anna Thompson, Soprano
Gabrielle Turgeon, Soprano
Dejah Watts, Soprano
Robert Wente, Baritone
Shiyu Zhuo, Soprano

Natalie Powers/Met Opera

03/15/2026

Thank you to OUR volunteers and donors! We couldn't do it without you!

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03/12/2026

Sunday is the day for the Semifinals!! Tune in via livestream online!

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Tune into the National Semifinals video livestream at laffont.kiswe.com this Sunday, March 15 as Brittany Olivia Logan (2021 National Finalist) and Miles Mykkanen (2019 Grand Finals Winner) host exclusive backstage content! ✨

03/08/2026

Toi, toi, toi to Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio artist Elizabeth Hanje who will be in the Laffont semifinals in New York on March 15!
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03/07/2026

Toi, toi, toi to our Gulf Coast Region winner, Gabriel Natal-Baez, a Puerto Rico District Winner, but we can also claim him from Houston with his degree from the Shepherd School of Music! Semifinal round is on Sunday, March 15.
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02/17/2026

Toi, toi, toi to these 23 Laffont Semifinalists who will compete in NYC on March 15, vying for a spot at the Grand Finals Concert on March 22. Special shoutout to former Houston District Winners Shannon Crowley (2024), Anna Thompson (2025), and to current Sarah and Ernest Butler Houston Grand Opera Studio artist Elizabeth Hanje, and to our Gulf Coast Region Winner Gabriel Natal-Baez!

02/11/2026

Special shoutout to Anna Thompson, one of our Houston District Winners last year! Congratulations to all those advancing to the Semifinals in NYC on March 15! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C7WaVK355/

02/05/2026

Special shoutout to Anna Thompson, a winner in 2025's Houston District Laffont Competition! Also to Katherine Dobbs, another Shepherd School of Music alum! Toi, toi, toi to all these singers!
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Introducing the Middle Atlantic Region Singers!

Toi Toi Toi to all who will be competing this Sunday, February 8.

Joshua Berg, Tenor
Max Alexander Cook, Tenor
Katherine Dobbs, Mezzo-Soprano
Nina Evelyn, Soprano
Maia Gonzalez, Soprano
Sophia Pelekasis, Mezzo-Soprano
Julianna Smith, Mezzo-Soprano
Anna Thompson, Soprano
Alla Yarosh, Mezzo-Soprano

02/04/2026

Shoutout to Mariam Mouawad, Moores Opera Center grad, as she sings this weekend! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1bL3M9QgYn/

Introducing the Western Region Singers!

Toi Toi Toi to all who will be competing this Saturday, February 7.

Phoebe Chee, Soprano
Xijin Chen, Soprano
Kaya Giroux, Soprano
Alexandra Rose Hotz, Soprano
Xiaofeng Hou, Tenor
Sabrina Langlois, Soprano
Mariam Mouawad, Mezzo-Soprano
Titus Muzi, Baritone
Lewei Wang, Baritone
Olivier Zerouali, Baritone
Haolun Zhang, Countertenor

02/02/2026

A terrific afternoon of 10 singers! Congrats to Gabriel as he head to NYC representing our Gulf Coast Region!

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