Congratulations to Members Awarded a 2022 American Prize

ACDA members are well represented among this season’s winners of The American Prize. We offer congratulations to these prize winners, as well as those who placed in the competition.

American Prize Winners

Choral Conducting – The Dale Warland Prize

• Wei Cheng (UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus) won the American Prize’s Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting (college/university division).
• Benedict Sheehan (The Saint Tikhon Choir) won the American Prize’s Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting (non-college division).

Choral Performance

• The Los Angeles Master Chorale won in the professional division. Member Grant Gershon is the artistic director.
• The University of North Texas Tenor-Bass Chorale, conducted by member Jordan D. Boyd, won in the college/university division (larger program).
• The University of California Berkeley Chamber Chorus, conducted by member Wei Cheng, won in the college/university division (smaller program).
• Canterbury Voices (Randi Von Ellefson, artistic director) won in the community division.
• The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, conducted by member Darren Dailey, won in the youth/school division.

Vocal Performance

• Member Olga Perez Flora won the American Prize in the category of women in opera (professional division).

Following are the ACDA members who placed in choral conducting and performance categories:

Choral Conducting – The Dale Warland Prize

• C. Michael Porter placed third in the college/university division.
• McKenna Stenson received Finalist Honorable Mention in the college/university division.
• Jeremy Mims placed second in the non-college division.
• Rebecca Kenneally received Finalist Honorable Mention in the opera/musical theater division.

Choral Performance

• Saint Tikhon Choir, conducted by Benedict Sheehan, placed third in the professional division.
• Critical Mass Vocal Artists, conducted by C. Michael Porter, received Finalist Honorable Mention in the professional division.
• University of Nebraska Lincoln Singers, conducted by Marques L. A. Garrett, placed second in the college/university division (larger program).
• Boise State University Meistersingers, conducted by C. Michael Porter, placed third in the college/university division (larger program).
• University of Central Arkansas Concert Choir & University of Central Arkansas Chamber Singers, conducted by Kevin L. Coker, placed second in the college/university division (smaller program).
• Winthrop University Chamber Singers, conducted by Jeremy Mims, placed third (tie) in the college/university division (smaller program).
• Trinity University Chamber Singers, conducted by Gary Seighman, placed third (tie) in the college/university division (smaller program).
• Queens College Treble Choir, conducted by Eric Ruberstein, received Finalist Honorable Mention in the college/university division (smaller program).
• Inspirar, conducted by Jeremy Mims, placed third in the community division.
• Arvada West HS Company West, conducted by Chris Maunu, placed second in the youth/school division.
• Belle Chanson, conducted by Hollie Pratt, placed third in the youth/school division.
• Winter Park HS Combined Tenor-Bass Choir, conducted by Matthew Swope, received Finalist Honorable Mention in the youth/school division.

The American Prize is a series of nonprofit, national competitions designed to recognize and reward the very best in the performing arts in the United States—in schools and churches, and at community and professional levels. Winners in each category receive cash prizes and award certificates.