2019 Scholarship Award Winners

Mr. Ferring is an alumnus of Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Drake University and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory. He has been a Young Artist with the Santa Fe Opera, and was later cast as Tamino/Die Zauberflöte there in 2020.

Eric Ferring, Tenor

2019 American Opera Society of Chicago Best Vocal Artist Award


Emily Pogorelc, Lyric Coloratura Soprano

Ms. Pogorelc is an alumna of Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Curtis Institute of Music. Currently she has participated in the Britten- Pears program at the Aldeburgh Festival and, in September 2019, competed in the Wigmore Hall Song competition in London.

2019 American Opera Society of Chicago Scholarship Award in honor of Ludmila Lazar


Eriko Darcy, Piano

When she won her award, Ms. Darcy was a Music Institute of Chicago Academy student, studying with Matthew Hagle. Her program included performance, music theory, piano literature, chamber music, and improvisation.

2019 American Opera Society of Chicago Scholarship Award in honor of Virginia K. Wussow


Olivia Doig, Soprano

2019 American Opera Society of Chicago Scholarship Award

Ms. Doig holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Wheaton College and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Florida State University. Currently she studies with Maria Lagios.


Ryan Stoll, Bass-Baritone

2019 American Opera Society of Chicago Lola Fletcher Scholarship Award

Mr. Stoll earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory. He pursued a Professional Diploma in Opera at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and was a Chicago Opera Theater Young Artist in 2020.


2019 American Opera Society of Chicago Scholarship Award

John Heo, Violin

When Mr. Heo won his award, he was a Music Institute of Chicago Academy student, studying with Almita and Roland Vamos. Previous teachers include Cornelius Chiu and Jacqueline Fisher.