John Brancy wins Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition

John Brancy

Barihunk John Brancy took 1st Prize at the 16th Annual Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition this weekend. He will receive a $15,000 award, as well as an opportunity to perform in Opera America's 2016 Emerging Artist Recital Series. 2nd Prize went to tenor Rexford Tester along with a $10,000 award, while soprano Ariana Wehr took 3rd Prize and the $7,500 award. Mezzo-Soprano Allegra de Vita won the Munday Encouragement Award and the $3,000 award.

The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation was established by Lavinia Jensen in honor of her late husband, Fritz Jensen. The Foundation's purpose is to continue their philanthropic support of the musical arts by supporting young artists pursuing a career in opera.

A number of barihunks have taken 1st Prize at the competition, including Norman Garrett (2013), David Pershall (2012) and Edward Parks (2011).

Judges for the 2015 Finals were Ken Benson, Peter Russell, and Diana Soviero.

John  Brancy sings "God be with our boys tonight":

You can catch John Brancy on Sunday, May 31 for a recital of music including the works of Gershwin, Dvorak, Bernstein, Chopin and the Beatles. The concert will be at Governors Island at Nolan Park in New York on Sunday, May 31. The concert is free to the public. He will be accompanied by Peter Dugan.

This summer, he'll be making his company debut as Dandini in Rossini's Cenerentola with Opera Saratoga at the Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park. Performances run from July 2- 26. Additional information is available online. He'll be joined by fellow barihunk Ryan Kuster as the mysterious philosopher Alidoro. Additional information is available online.

Barihunks Tobias Greenhalgh and John Brancy featured on PBS NewsHour

Tobias Greenhalgh, Armand Ranjbaran & John Brancy

Barihunks John Brancy and Tobias Greenhalgh were recently featured on the PBS NewsHour episode "Artists Learn Art of Business to Brave Tough Economic Times." NewsHour correspondent Paul Solman took a look at how people in the classical arts are learning to fine tune their entrepreneurial skills in order to help them design their own careers in an unsure economy.

The two singers were featured for their mutual involvement with "Operation Superpower," which uses their love of classical music to teach young students about their own unique superpowers. The two singers joined by pianist Peter Dugan and composer Armand Ranjbaran focus on courage, hope, honesty, imagination, and friendship to deal with the topic of bullying and helping kids find their own inner strengths. The group is marketing their program as a school assembly program and they have performed in Peoria, Illinois, as well as schools throughout New York State. 

Watch Artists Learn Art of Business to Brave Tough Economic Times on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

John Brancy will be performing with his girlfriend Wallis Giunta in an performance of  arias, ensembles, and choral scenes with the Regina Symphony in September. He then will be part of the Pacific Opera's upcoming season performing in Richard Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. Tobias Greenhalgh just wrapped up a successful run as Samuel in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis.