Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara — Announcing the 2026 Winners of the Marilyn Horne Song Competition
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Music Academy of the West Celebrates 2026 Winners of the Marilyn Horne Song Competition
Mezzo-Soprano fellow Dawson Mae Franzino and
Vocal Piano fellow Youngsu Cho
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Marilyn Horne Song Competition, recognizing the extraordinary artistry and collaboration of its 2026 Lehrer Vocal Institute fellows. This cornerstone event of the Summer Music Festival & School offers young musicians a platform to shine through world-class performance, interpretation, and musical partnership.
2026 MARILYN HORNE SONG COMPETITION
At the Marilyn Horne Song Competition, an annual all-day event held at the Academy’s Miraflores campus, each fellow performed three art songs of their choice. At the conclusion of the competition, one singer and one pianist were each awarded a coveted $2,500 cash prize.
The competition was adjudicated by a distinguished panel that included Kirill Kuzmin, Grammy-nominated collaborative pianist and vocal coach, and Associate Professor of Opera and Vocal Coaching at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; Music Academy alum Carrie-Ann Matheson(‘97, ‘98, ‘99), Artistic Director of the San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program; and Music Academy alum Alek Shrader (‘06, ‘08), an internationally acclaimed American tenor, stage director, and creative artist.
About the Marilyn Horne Song Competition
The competition was founded in 1997 by legendary mezzo-soprano and Music Academy alum Marilyn Horne(’53), who served as the Academy’s Director of Voice for over two decades.
Her legacy continues through this beloved tradition that celebrates the profound connection between singer and pianist.
Open to all vocal and vocal piano fellows, the competition emphasizes interpretive depth, storytelling, and expressive partnership. Participants were paired through a random drawing before the start of the summer and worked together to develop a program that met specific artistic and repertoire guidelines.
About the Music Academy of the West
Located in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West provides classically trained musicians and diverse audiences with transformative educational and performance experiences. As part of its annual Summer Music Festival & School, the Academy presents the Fellowship Institute, which trains up to 150 fellows ages 18–34, alongside the High School Intensive, a two-week program for 80 gifted musicians ages 14–18. The Music Festival showcases more than 100 performances and events, including masterclasses and a fully staged opera. The 2026 Summer Music Festival & School will run June 17–August 8. Year-round Music Academy programs include Sing!, a free, after-school youth choral program and the Mariposa Concert Series, featuring Academy-affiliated artists and alums. In 2028, the Academy will open its Music Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara, expanding access to music education, rehearsal, and performance opportunities for the community. Learn more at musicacademy.org.
