October 28, 2026
Second-year Resident Artists Ryan Wornall, bass, and Dawson Franzino, mezzo-soprano, have been named winners of the 2026 Mario Lanza Institute competition, wining first place and second place, respectively.
Wornall, from Lenexa, Kansas, is a graduate of the University of Kansas. During his time at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA), he has performed the roles of Dr. Bartolo and Antonio in Le nozze di Figaro, the Haushofmeister in Capriccio, Capellio in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, and the title role in Falstaff.
Franzino, from Orlando, Florida, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University. Her roles at AVA include Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro, Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, and Mistress Quickly in Falstaff. She has also received recognition in several vocal competitions, including first place in the Emerging Professional category of the Classical Singer Vocal Competition.
During Mario Lanza’s lifetime, he dreamed of establishing a scholarship program to help young vocal students realize their dreams. Lanza’s untimely death in 1959 prevented him from seeing the dream become a reality. During their 64-year history, the Mario Lanza Institute has awarded over 300 vocal scholarships to talented, aspiring young singers.
AVA congratulates Wornall and Franzino on their recognition by the Mario Lanza Institute and looks forward to their continued development as Resident Artists.