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Dear Friends: In 1988 the Bel Canto Vocal Scholarship awarded its first scholarship of one thousand dollars. The scholarship auditions were open to Rhode Island residents only. It seems like only yesterday! Now, twenty-four years later, we have grown to a highly-respected national competition, open to singers from throughout the United States. We currently award scholarships totaling over fifteen thousand dollars annually. Through these many years, Bel Canto has given over four hundred thousand dollars to outstanding young American opera singers in order to further their education. Singers who have won our scholarships have sung in many and perhaps all of the major opera houses, concert halls and places of worship throughout the world. In Googling their names, we find many singers who list participation in the Bel Canto Vocal Scholarship Competition in their Bios, and some as having won awards enabling them to continue their vocal studies. We are proud of the part we have played in helping further their musical education. From time to time I think of the many singers we have auditioned who did not make it to the Finals. It was not due to their lack of talent (in fact, some had amazing voices), but rather to the amount of scholarships available. In my heart I know that they too have gone on to wonderful careers and fulfilling lives in music. I thank them for their participation and wish them the very best. Soon we begin a new year and our journey to the 25th Anniversary of The Bel Canto Vocal Scholarship Competition. It is hard to believe that a quarter of a century will have gone by. And in that time we have enjoyed the excitement of hearing and enjoying beautiful, outstanding, and sometimes amazing voices! How blessed we have been and continue to be! My friends, you have all been a part of this most amazing journey, and I bless you all for it. You have been there for Bel Canto throughout these many years with your support and love. I ask you to please continue that support and continue this wonderful journey of BEAUTIFUL singing, BEL CANTO, at its very best. I thank you and ask God's blessing on you all. Annamaria Saritelli-DiPanni, Founder/CEO
Finalists of the 24th Annual Bel Canto Vocal Scholarship Competition (left to right) - Todd von Felker, Joshua Baum, Fotina Naumenko, Kisma Jordan, Megan Hart, Nicholas Pallesen (top award), Jamez McCorkle, Edward Parks (second award) |
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