2025 Competition Details
St. Pete Opera Guild is excited to announce the College and Young Professionals Vocal Competition for vocalists between the
ages of 18 and 30, with prizes awarded to the top three finalists.
The event will be held on April 5, 2025
Application Deadline March 15, 2025
Every second year St. Petersburg Opera Guild, in conjunction with St. Petersburg Opera, holds a vocal competition with financial scholarships awarded to the talented winners.
In 2021 the St. Petersburg Opera Guild celebrated our 50th anniversary of supporting young artists through our Annual Vocal Competitions!
Participants, judges and Guild supporters learned how to develop the skills for adjusting to the change in format…and they each performed their roles exceptionally. To refresh your memory of the finalists, scroll below for access to their bios.
2023 College and Young Adult Competition
The College and Young Professionals Competition 2023 was once again an outstanding display of talent. April 15, 2023 was filled with soaring voices and wonderful performances. Each competitor was exceptional, so it was a challenging decision for the adjudicators Angela Blasi, Karl Hesser, and Mark Thompsen. Many thanks to Ursula Carroll with her dedication and love of young talent for Chairing the 2023 competition.
Awards were presented to:
1st Place
Laura Elena Fernandez, Soprano
2nd Place
Ashley Nunez, Soprano
3rd Place
Dalila Lugo
Honorable Mentions
Damijan Karanfilov, Baritone
Marlina Kirimi, Soprano

2023 College and Young Professional Competition Winners and Administrators
2021 College & Young Professional Competition Winners
1st Place Eleomar Cuello, Baritone from North Port
2nd Place Eric Ferring, Tenor from Riverview
3rd Place Emily Heumann, Mezzo-Soprano from Ocala
Honorable Mention: Eric Luis Viñas
Honorable Mention: Matthew Coura
Honorable Mention: Evelyn Saaveda
Honorable Mention: Ashley SDhalma
All First Place Winners Since Inception of
College & Young Professional Vocal Competitions
2023 Laura Elena Fernandez Miami
2022 No competition
2021 Eleomar Cuello North Port
2020 No competition
2019 Mariya Kaganskaya Miami
2018 Betsy Diaz Miami
2017 Megan Barrera Palmetto Bay
2016 Richard Coleman Tallahassee
2015 Sarah Payne Sunrise
2014 Christine Suits Stuart
2013 Brent Turner Winter Springs
2012 Phoenix Gayles Tampa
2011 Joshua Quinn Dade City
2010 Jessica Cambio Naples
2009 Rolando Sanz West Palm Beach
2008 Ronnita Miller St. Petersburg
2007 Geoffrey Agpalo Orlando 7
2006 Christina Villaverde Crawfordville
2005 Suzanne Hatcher Miami
2004 Jeanai Ratcliffe Clearwater
2003 Scott MacLeod Tallahassee
2002 Elizabeth Cabellero Miami
2001 Keri Alkema Winter Park
2000 Eglise Gutierrez Miami
1999 Peter Ludescher
1998 Lynn Eustis Tallahassee
1997 Noel King Altamonte Springs
1996 Sonia Santiago Palm Springs
1995 Jason Oby Tallahassee
1994 John LaForge Tallahassee
1993 Carmen Walker Tallahassee
1992 No competition
1991 Catherine Locacco Tallahassee
1990 Marie Caruso Tallahassee
1989 Heide Holcomb Tallahassee
1988 Gregory Rahming Miami
1987 Patti Jo Stevens Sarasota
1986 Jana Beth Young Miami
1985 Laurie Gibson Tallahassee
1984 Mary Diana Lutz
1983 Mary Ann Fucillo Palm Harbor
1982 Mark Filipasic St. Petersburg
1981 Janet Hall Folta Seminole
1980 Marilyn Bilovesick Michael St. Petersburg