March 10, 2026
Resident Artists Anna Thompson, first-year soprano, and Julianna Smith, second-year mezzo-soprano, have advanced to the National Finals of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, one of the most prestigious competitions for emerging opera singers in the United States.
Both singers earned their place among the nation’s top young vocalists after advancing through the competition’s rigorous regional rounds. The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition is widely regarded as a launching pad for operatic careers, with past winners and finalists going on to perform on major stages around the world.
Anna Thompson, a first-year soprano at AVA, continues a remarkable season of competition success. Earlier this year she was named a winner of the Sullivan Foundation Awards and recently placed at the Dallas Opera National Vocal Competition. At AVA, Thompson studies with the faculty as part of the school’s intensive four-year program dedicated to training the next generation of opera professionals.
Julianna Smith, a second-year mezzo-soprano at AVA, has also distinguished herself in recent competitions and performances. Known for the richness of her voice and strong musical presence, Smith has quickly become a standout among AVA’s Resident Artists.
The National Finals of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition bring together finalists from across the country to perform before a panel of distinguished judges and a live audience at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Finalists compete for significant career prizes and the opportunity to gain national recognition early in their professional development.