Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions

September 14. 2025

September 14. 2025

Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions

Join us to watch more than 20 finalists representing the world’s finest emerging artists audition for a spot in the Ryan Opera Center’s 2026/27 Ensemble. This is a unique opportunity to hear opera’s future stars — plus participate by voting for the Audience Favorite Award.

Final Auditions Emcee: Katie Klein, The Second City Ensemble
Guest Ryan Opera Center Alumna Performer: Lauren Decker

  • Running Time: 5 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions are generously made possible by Philip G. Lumpkin.

Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, United Airlines, and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.

Finalists

  • Saane Aziza Halaholo

    Saane Aziza Halaholo

    Soprano

  • Nikan Ingabire Kanate

    Nikan Ingabire Kanate

    Soprano

  • Kylie Kreucher

    Kylie Kreucher

    Soprano

  • Josie Larsen

    Josie Larsen

    Soprano

  • Anna Thompson

    Anna Thompson

    Soprano

  • Malinda Wagstaff

    Malinda Wagstaff

    Soprano

  • Alexis Peart

    Alexis Peart *

    Mezzo-soprano

  • Camille Robles

    Camille Robles *

    Mezzo-soprano

  • Wonjin Choi

    Wonjin Choi

    Tenor

  • Randy Ho

    Randy Ho

    Tenor

  • Tristan Tournaud

    Tristan Tournaud

    Tenor

  • Daniel Luis Espinal

    Daniel Luis Espinal *

    Tenor

  • Alex Granito

    Alex Granito

    Baritone

  • Adam Partridge

    Adam Partridge

    Baritone

  • Søren Pedersen

    Søren Pedersen

    Baritone

  • David Wolfe

    David Wolfe

    Baritone

  • Sihao Hu

    Sihao Hu *

    Baritone

  • Matthew Dexter

    Matthew Dexter

    Bass-Baritone

  • Lin Fan

    Lin Fan

    Bass-Baritone

  • Theo Harrah

    Theo Harrah

    Bass

  • Benjamin R. Sokol

    Benjamin R. Sokol *

    Bass-baritone

*Current Ensemble member auditioning to return another year

Guest Ryan Opera Center alumna performer

  • Lauren Decker

    Lauren Decker

    Contralto

Pianists

  • Michael Banwarth

    Michael Banwarth

    Ryan Opera Center Pianist

  • Alex Munger

    Alex Munger

    Pianist

  • Eric Sedgwick

    Eric Sedgwick

    Pianist

Schedule

12:00 pm Welcome by Katie Klein

SOPRANOS

12:10 pm Saane Aziza Halaholo
12:20 pm Nikan Ingabire Kanate
12:30 pm Kylie Kreucher
12:40 pm Josie Larsen
12:50 pm Anna Thompson
1:00 pm Malinda Wagstaff

1:10 pm Pause

TENORS

1:15 pm Wonjin Choi
1:25 pm Randy Ho
1:35 pm Tristan Tournaud
1:45 pm Daniel Luis Espinal*

1:50 pm - 2:50 pm Intermission

2:50 pm Welcome by Katie Klein

BARITONES

3:00 pm Alex Granito
3:10 pm Adam Partridge
3:20 pm Søren Pedersen
3:30 pm David Wolfe
3:40 pm Sihao Hu*

3:45 pm Pause

BASS-BARITONES/BASSES

3:50 pm Matthew Dexter
4:00 pm Lin Fan
4:10 pm Theo Harrah
4:20 pm Benjamin R. Sokol*

MEZZO-SOPRANOS

4:25 pm Alexis Peart*
4:30 pm Camille Robles*

4:35 pm - 4:50 pm Audience Break

4:50 pm - 5:30 pm Ryan Opera Center alumna performance and Q&A, Lauren Decker with Michael Banwarth, piano

5:30 pm Announcement of 2026/27 Ensemble and Audience Favorite Award

*Current Ensemble member auditioning for a return year.

Judges

John Mangum
General Director, President & CEO
The Women’s Board Endowed Chair

Enrique Mazzola
Music Director
John D. and Alexandra C. Nichols Endowed Chair

Matthew Ozawa
Chief Artistic Officer

Andreas Melinat
Vice President, Artistic Planning

Michael Black
Chorus Director & Head of Music

Dan Novak
Vice President and Director, Ryan Opera Center
The Ryan Opera Center Board Endowed Chair

Craig Terry
Music Director, Ryan Opera Center
The Jannotta Family Endowed Chair

Julia Faulkner
Director of Vocal Studies, Ryan Opera Center

Program book

Click here to view a digital version of the 2025 Final Auditions program book.

About the Ryan Opera Center

About the Ryan Opera Center

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is Lyric's preeminent artist-development program that nurtures the talents of some of the most promising operatic artists of each generation. The program's Ensemble members earn their coveted spot by successfully auditioning among more than 500 artists worldwide. Ryan Opera Center alumni are among the dominant names in opera today. Donor generosity ensures continued unparalleled training, performance experience, and professional readiness of Ensemble members. This highly competitive program, established in 1974, is administered by Director Dan Novak, Music Director Craig Terry, and Director of Vocal Studies Julia Faulkner.

Learn more about the Ryan Opera center

The road to the Ryan Opera Center

Founded in 1974, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is celebrated as one of the world's premier artist-development programs.

Every year some 500 singers audition for a chance to be one of 11-12 members of each season's Ensemble. These rising stars of tomorrow are in residence year-round for a comprehensive curriculum that includes:

  • Distinguished instruction in voice, language, acting and movement

  • Master classes and individual coachings with opera's leading artists, including Renée Fleming and Lyric's Music Director Enrique Mazzola

  • Performance opportunities throughout Chicagoland and on Lyric's mainstage alongside today's greatest opera singers

Header Photo: The 2024 Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions 
All photos: Kyle Flubacker/Lyric Opera of Chicago