2026 Final Auditions

October 04. 2026

October 04. 2026

FREE 2026 Final Auditions

Join us at this free event to watch more than 20 finalists representing the world’s finest emerging artists audition for a spot in The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center's 2027/28 Ensemble. This is a unique opportunity to hear opera's future stars and participate by voting for the Audience Favorite Award.

Final Auditions Emcee: Lindsay Metzger
Ryan Opera Center Alumna Performer: Emily Richter

  • 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

  • Malone L. Blaich

    Malone L. Blaich

    Soprano

  • Zaryah Gourgel

    Zaryah Gourgel

    Soprano

  • Alva Olsson

    Alva Olsson

    Soprano

  • Jeysla Rosario Santos

    Jeysla Rosario Santos

    Soprano

  • Kylie Kreucher

    Kylie Kreucher *

    Soprano

  • Josie Larsen

    Josie Larsen *

    Soprano

  • Sarah Antell

    Sarah Antell

    Mezzo-soprano

  • Madison Kavanaugh

    Madison Kavanaugh

    Mezzo-soprano

  • Grace Ryan

    Grace Ryan

    Mezzo-soprano

  • Camille Robles

    Camille Robles *

    Mezzo-soprano

  • Edward Ferran

    Edward Ferran

    Tenor

  • Cole McIlquham

    Cole McIlquham

    Tenor

  • Logan Wagner

    Logan Wagner

    Tenor

  • Sid Chand

    Sid Chand *

    Tenor

  • Yoonsoo Jang

    Yoonsoo Jang

    Baritone

  • Enes Pektaş

    Enes Pektaş

    Baritone

  • Hanfeng Shao

    Hanfeng Shao

    Baritone

  • Justice Yates

    Justice Yates

    Baritone

  • Adam Partridge

    Adam Partridge *

    Baritone

  • Matthew Dexter

    Matthew Dexter *

    Bass-baritone

  • Lin Fan

    Lin Fan *

    Bass-baritone

  • Benjamin R. Sokol

    Benjamin R. Sokol *

    Bass-baritone

*Current Ensemble member auditioning to return another year.

Ryan Opera Center alumna performer

  • Emily Richter

    Emily Richter

    Soprano

Pianists

  • Michael Banwarth

    Michael Banwarth *

    Pianist

  • Myungseo Kim

    Myungseo Kim

    Ryan Opera Center Pianist

  • Alex Munger

    Alex Munger

    Pianist

  • Madeline Slettedahl

    Madeline Slettedahl *

    Pianist

*Ryan Opera Center alumni

Schedule

12:00 pm Welcome by Lindsay Metzger

Baritones

12:10 pm Yoonsoo Jang
12:20 pm Enes Pektaş
12:30 pm Hanfeng Shao
12:40 pm Justice Yates
12:50 pm Adam Partridge*

12:55 pm Pause

Mezzo-sopranos

1:00 pm Sarah Antell
1:10 pm Madison Kavanaugh
1:20 pm Grace Ryan
1:30 pm Camille Robles*

Bass-baritones

1:35 pm Matthew Dexter*
1:40 pm Lin Fan*
1:45 pm Benjamin R. Sokol*

1:50 pm - 2:50 pm Intermission

2:50 pm Welcome by Lindsay Metzger

Sopranos

3:00 pm Malone L. Blaich
3:10 pm Zaryah Gourgel
3:20 pm Alva Olsson
3:30 pm Jeysla Rosario Santos
3:40 pm Kylie Kreucher*
3:45 pm Josie Larsen*

3:50 pm Pause

Tenors

3:55 pm Edward Ferran
4:05 pm Cole McIlquham
4:15 pm Logan Wagner
4:25 pm Sid Chand*

4:30 pm - 4:50 pm Audience Break

4:50 pm - 5:30 pm Ryan Opera Center alumna performance and Q&A, Emily Richter with Myungseo Kim, piano

5:30 pm Announcement of 2027/28 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

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 600 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 600 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 Lyric's Music Director Enrique Mazzola and Artistic Advisor Sondra Radvanovsky

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

Header photo: The 2025 Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions. Credit: Kyle Flubacker