In what has become an audience favorite, The Broad Stage welcomes first prize winners from the Music Academy of the West song competition. Created by the great mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne to “breathe new life into the vocal recital as an art form in the U.S.,” the competition is already putting the spotlight on future stars with a particular gift for audience communication and excellence in performing songs from the great repertoire. Come see what all the excitement is about.

Karen Vuong (soprano), 27, born in Panorama City, California, studied at UCLA, where she performed as Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and Despina in Così fan tutte. She participated in the Los Angeles Opera Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program for two years. Ms. Vuong’s credits at Los Angeles Opera included Mimi in La Bohème, conducted by Plácido Domingo, First Playmate in The Dwarf, and Yvette in La Rondine. Ms. Vuong was honored at the 2006 Plácido Domingo Operalia Competition (Culturarte Prize) and the 2009 Loren L. Zachary Competition. Recent engagements have included Sophie in Werther at Kentucky Opera and Trang/Nurse in the world premiere of Amelia at Seattle Opera. She attended the Music Academy in 2010.

Saule Tlenchiyeva, 26, born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, began studying the piano at age 5. Having received bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, she recently earned an artist certificate diploma at Southern Methodist University under the tutelage of Joaquin Achucarro. Ms. Tlenchiyeva has performed as a soloist throughout Middle Asia, Europe, and the United States, and worked as a vocal coach in the National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Music Academy of the West’s Marilyn Horne Song Competition is generously supported by Linda and Michael Keston.