Hall of Fame: Previous Competitions
2023 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Alysha Umphress
2nd Place, Cooper Grodin
3rd Place, Emily Curnutte
4th Place, Kenny Williams
5th Place, Emily Redden
Johnny Mercer Award: Aryssa Leigh Burrs
Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award: Kyuannee Richardson
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Anaïs Reno
People’s Choice Award #1: Sara Zoe Budnik
People’s Choice Award #2: Aryssa Leigh Burrs
Toian Bowser Alexander Award: Jaime Barcelon
2022 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Andrea Ross.
2nd Place, Lisa Marie Rogali.
3rd Place, Lucy Yeghiazaryan.
4th Place, Elizabeth Baldwin.
5th Place, Kate Victor.
Johnny Mercer Award: Kate Victor
Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award: Elizabeth Baldwin
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Lucy Yeghiazaryan
People’s Choice Award #1: Melinda Rose Rodriguez
People’s Choice Award #2: Sophie Thompson
Toian Bowser Alexander Award: Schyler Vargas
Adjudication Panel
Internationally acclaimed jazz artist and Great American Songbook enthusiast, Jane Monheit
Tony-winning actress, singer and dancer, Karen Ziemba.
ATC Gold Medalist, American Spirituals Specialist, and operatic Baritone, Robert Sims.
Contestants:Elizabeth baldwin, sara zoe budnik, aryssa leigh burrs, amy fuller, chiara izzi, sofija knezevic, kasey kraft, arron mcallister, tegan miller, bryan murray, elena negruta, emily nicholas, timothy parrott, jocelyn pride, emily redden, melinda rose rodriguez, lisa marie rogali, andrea ross, dan schwait, nadia sosnoski, trisha talreja, sophie thompson, schyler vargas, kate victor, doug wamble, alyssa weathersby, lucy yeghiazaryan
2021 (virtual) AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Nicole Zuraitis.
2nd Place, Andrea Ross.
3rd Place, Emily Nicholas.
4th Place, Heather Jones.
5th Place, Anastasia Talley.
Johnny Mercer Award: Jonathan Christopher.
Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award: Heather Jones.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Nicole Zuraitis.
People’s Choice Award #1: Isabelle Ham.
People’s Choice Award #2: Dee Roscioli.
Toian Bowser-Alexander Winner: Assaf Gleizner.
Adjudication Panel
Two-time Tony nominee, Kate Baldwin
Internationally renowned tenor, Lawrence Brownlee
Highly decorated and adored jazz artist, Kurt Elling
Contestants: Evgeniia Aknazarova, Adam von Almen, Sophie Amelkin, Julie Lyn Barber, Jonathan Christopher, Kerry Conte, Nicole Corris, Michelle Cosentino, Michelle Dowdy, Jessica Fishenfeld, Sarah Folsom, Megan Gallagher, Beth Allen-Gardner, Isabelle Ham, Heather Jones, Will Liverman, Wendy Marck, Trevor Martin, Emily Nicholas, Gilad Paz, Brittany Proia, Dee Roscioli, Andrea Ross, Lisa St. Lou, Anastasia Talley, Jason Weisinger, David Young, Nicole Zuraitis
2020 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Carole J. Bufford.
2nd Place, Jasmine Habersham.
3rd Place, Kenny Williams.
4th Place, Rachel Policar.
5th Place, Missy Wise.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award:
Melinda Rose Rodriguez.
Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award: Michael Kelly.
Johnny Mercer Award: Melinda Rose Rodriguez.
People’s Choice Award #1: Corrie Donovan.
People’s Choice Award #2: Tegan Miller.
Toian Bowser-Alexander Award: Christina Pecce.
Adjudication panel
Beloved Baritone and Bernstein interpreter, Jubilant Sykes
Founding member of Manhattan Transfer, Janis Siegel
Recording Artist, ATC Silver Medalist (2007), and past ATC judge (2018), Morgan James
Contestants: Sara Zoe Budnik, Carole J. Bufford, Emanuel Camacho, Peter Campbell, Mollie Craven, Corrie Donovan, Jessica Fishenfeld, Jasmine Habersham, Jocelyn Hunt, Michael Kelly, Sarah Krauss, Carolyn Malfa, Tegan Miller, Justin John Moniz, Luis Alejandro Orozco, Amy Owens, Christina Pecce, Rachel Policar, Artemisz Polonyi, Melinda Rose Rodriguez, Jackie Schiffer, Jordan Stadvec, Anastasia Talley, Jessica Victoria, Kenny Williams, Missy Wise, Hannah Zazzaro
2019 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Mykal Kilgore.
2nd Place, Emily Yocum Black.
3rd Place, George Lovett.
4th Place, Christian Douglas.
5th Place, Ashleigh Smith.
Toian Bowser-Alexander Award: Jorell Williams.
Johnny Mercer Award: Cyrille Aimée.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Gabrielle Stravelli.
Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award Liz Lang.
Think Outside the Book Award: Kathryn McCreary.
People’s Choice Award #1: Gillian Hassert.
People’s Choice Award #2: Hannah Zazzaro.
Adjudication Panel
Tony-nominated Broadway veteran, 2003 ATC Bronze Medalist, Phillip Lamar Boykin
Operatic Composer, Michael Ching
Jazz singer, Melba Joyce
Contestants: Cyrille Aimée, Jessamyn Anderson, Emily Yocum Black, Sarah Callinan, Juilianne Daly, Corrie Donovan, Christian Douglas, Gillian Hassert, Mykal Kilgore, Sarah Krauss, Liz Lang, Cherresa Lawson, Chloe Legrand, George Lovett, Kathryn (Katie) McCreary, Conor Murphy, Katherine Riddle, Millicent Scarlett, Ashleigh Smith, Gabrielle Stravelli, Dara Tucker, Jacob Keith Watson, April May Webb, Elizabeth Webb, Jorell Williams, Heather Witt, Hannah Zazzaro
2018 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Erica Gabriel
2nd Place, Brandon Michael Nase.
3rd Place, Michael Preacely.
4th Place, Rachel Policar.
5th Place, Bex Odorisio.
Johnny Mercer Award: Dara Tucker.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Bex Odorisio.
Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award: Emily Yocum Black/
People’s Choice Award #1: Nat Zegree
People’s Choice #2: Brian Giebler
Adjudication Panel
Gospel Singer and Minister, Lynette Hawkins Stephens
Recording Artist, ATC Silver Medalist (2007), Morgan James
Operatic and classical composer, Ricky Ian Gordon
Contestants: Emily Yocum Black, Allyson Briggs, Emanuel Camacho, Aaron Casey, Julianne Daly, Maria Damore, Erica Gabriel, Brian Giebler, Adam Griffiths, Lily Guerrero, Jasmine Habersham, Sarah Kervin, Cherresa Lawson, Duane A. Moody, Brandon Michael Nase, Rebecca Odorisio, Rachel Policar, Michael Preacely, Tess Primack, Josephine Sanges, Jackie Schiffer, Megan Schubert, Perry Sherman, Dara Tucker, Brenda Marie Turner, Kayla Wilkens, Teresa Kay Williams, Nat Zegree
2017 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Julie Benko.
2nd Place, Dara Tucker.
3rd Place, Kisma Jordan.
4th Place, Aundi Marie Moore.
5th Place, Sarah Mesko.
Johnny Mercer Award: Julie Benko.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Dara Tucker.
Sherrill Milnes American Opera Award: Kisma Jordan. (Inaugural Prize).
People’s Choice Award #1: Stephen Dobson.
People’s Choice Award #2: Rachel Sparrow.
Adjudication Panel
Storied operatic Baritone, including playing Riff (West Side Story) in L. Bernstein’s recording, and 2016 ATC Judge, Kurt Ollmann
Two-time Grammy winner and operatic soprano, Sylvia McNair
Composer of I Am Harvey Milk, The Wild Party, Big Fish, The Addams Family, and more, Andrew Lippa
Contestants: Jessica Baldwin, Julie Benko, Jessica Ann Best, Melissa Brobeck, Alexis Cole, Katie Dixon, Stephen Dobson, Jonathan Estabrooks, Erica Gabriel, Grace Field, Brian Giebler, Jocelyn Hansen, Gillian Hassert, Katherine Henly, Kisma Jordan, Suzanne Lorge, Sarah Mesko, Aundi Marie Moore, Christia Nastasi, Brittany Proia, Megan Schubert, Rachel Sparrow, Nikki Switzer, Dara Tucker, Brenda Marie Turner, Missy Wise, Jordan Wolfe
2016 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Michael Maliakel.
2nd Place, Bex Odorisio.
3rd Place, Aundi Marie Moore.
4th Place, Jamison Scott.
5th Place, Alexis Cole.
Johnny Mercer Award: Bex Odorisio.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Bex Odorisio.
People’s Choice Award #1: Adam Cannedy.
People’s Choice Award #2: Rachel Sparrow.
Adjudication Panel
Storied operatic Baritone, including playing Riff (West Side Story) in L. Bernstein’s recording, Kurt Ollmann
Star and composer of Tony-nominated Musical, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and 2015 ATC Judge, Jim Wann
Legendary Cabaret star, Marilyn Maye
Contestants: Todd Alsup, Jonathan Beyer, Adam Cannedy, Alexis Cole, Leah Coleman, Ashley Dannewitz, Claire DiVizio, Jonathan Estabrooks, Patti Glenn , Kristin Gornstein, Jazmin Gorsline, Jocelyn Hansen, Gillian Hassert, Meredith Lustig, Michael Maliakel, Leah Mattfield, Aundi Marie Moore, Jasmine Muhammad, Rebecca Odorisio, Amy Owens, Christina Pecce, Myriam Phiro, Brittany Proia, Caitlin Ruddy, Jamison Scott, Rachel Sparrow, Brad Standley, Jorell Williams
2015 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Alexa Grae.
2nd Place, Stephen Dobson.
3rd Place, Jorell Williams.
4th Place, Bex Odorisio.
5th Place, Melanie Helton.
Johnny Mercer Award: Nicole Zuraitis.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Bex Odorisio.
People’s Choice Award #1: Kacey Cardin.
People’s Choice Award #2: Nicole Zuraitis.
Adjudication Panel
Star and composer of Tony-nominated Musical, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Jim Wann
Guiding Light Star, and Tony-nominated Broadway veteran, Ron Raines
Music supervisor for many projects by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Conductor of Phantom of the Opera Broadway, and 2014 ATC Judge, Kristen Blodgette
Contestants: Jessica Baldwin, Bobby Belfry, Jessica Best, Kacey Cardin, Angelique Clay, Kimberly Christie, Max DeFrancesco, Stephen Dobson, Alexa Grae, Kaitlyn Fain, Damian Faul, Jazmin Gorsline, Melanie Helton, Nicole Joseph, Carly Kincannon, Meredith Lustig, Clare Maloney, Caitlin McKechney, Inez Antoni Mendezona, Christina Nastasi, Rebecca Odorisio, Kevin Rose, Jacob Smtih, Rachel Sparrow, Tichina Vaughn, Katherine Walker, Jorell Williams, Nicole Zuraitis
2014 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Mikki Sodergren.
2nd Place, Jorell Williams.
3rd Place, Maria Failla.
4th Place, Elizabeth Baldwin.
5th Place, Daniel Shirley.
Johnny Mercer Award: Mikki Sodergren.
Ben Tucker Jazz Award: Mikki Sodergren. (Inaugural)
People’s Choice Award #1: William “Bill” Lewis.
People’s Choice Award #2: Nicole Greenidge-Joseph.
Adjudication Panel
Operatic Baritone and 2013 ATC Judge, Rod Gilfry
Country Songwriter, J. Fred Knoblock
Operatic character Tenor and Boardwalk Empire actor, Anthony LaCiura
In Memoriam: Tony-winning lyricist of Annie, Martin Charnin
Music supervisor for many projects by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Conductor of Phantom of the Opera Broadway, Kristen Blodgette
Contestants: Caitlin Andrews, Nathan Baer, Elizabeth Baldwin, Natalie Ballenger, Dr. Vanessa Beaumont, Kelsey Betzelberger, Kaitlyn Costello Fain, Dru Daniels, Falon Faigle, Maria Failla, William “Bill” Ferguson, Branch Fields, Nicole Greenidge Joseph, Kathryn Guthrie, Kelly Hoppenjans, Karla Hughes, William Lewis, Wendy Muir, Tami Petty, Sarah Jenkins Queen, Daniel Shirley, Mikki Sodergren, Brian Vu, Jorell Williams
2013 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st place, Kimberly Hawkey.
2nd Place, Mikki Sodergren.
3rd Place, Sequina DuBose.
4th Place, Brent Reilly Turner.
5th Place, Sarah Beckham-Turner.
Johnny Mercer Award: Kimberly Hawkey.
Adjudication Panel
Operatic Baritone, Rod Gilfry
In Memoriam: Jazz musician and Schoolhouse Rock composer, Bob Dorough
TV and cabaret star, Anita Gillette
Vocal Pedagogue, Michael Paul
Composer of orchestral works and film scores, including The Matrix Trilogy, Don Davis
Contestants: Dominic Armstrong, Kelly Atkins, Jennifer Beattle, Anne-Carolyn Bird, Brianne Chin, Jennifer Cresswell, Sequina DuBose, Kristin Gornstein, Julia Radosz, Kimberly Hawkey, Elizabeth Koontz, Maylynn Leporacci, Amy Maples, Brian McCullough, Fotina Naumenko, Adam Cannedy, Sara Maria Pardo, Jordan Michael Peterson, Kimberli Render, Caitlin Ruddy, Samuel Schultz, Jared Schwartz, Allanda Small, Amanda Smolek, Brent Reilly Turner, Sarah Beckham Turner, Dr. Vanessa Beaumont, Mikki Sodergren, Kelly Hoppenjans
2012 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Ann Marie McPhail (Tie).
1st Place, Joshua Carswell (Tie).
2nd Place, Sedalia Marie Brown.
3rd Place, James Martin.
4th Place, Heather Pillsbury.
5th Place, Elias Hendricks.
Adjudication Panel
Multiple Grammy®-award winning producer, conductor and educator, Robert Sadin
Highly respected pianist, arranger, orchestrator, conductor and Music Director, Joseph Joubert
Beloved Mezzo-soprano, Denyce Graves Montgomery
Songwriter and actress, Amanda McBroom
Broadway actress and voiceover star of animated films such as Anastasia and Lion King II, Liz Callaway
Contestants: Jaymie Alilaw, Katie Baughman, Colette Bourdreaux, Jolie Rocke Brown, Adam Cannedy, Joshua Carswell, Sally Rose Bates, Galyana Castillo, Jennifer Cochran, Minnita Daniel-Cox, Rebecca Flaherty, Jenina Gallaway, Janice Hall, Elias Hendricks, Rachel Eve Holmes, Kate Jackman, Emily Jaworski, Minda Larsen, Amy Little, Molly Mahoney, Sedalia Marie, James C. Martin, Ann Marie McPhail, Heather Pillsbury, Sara Snider Schone, Chrsitine Steyer, Katrina Thurman, Kate Tombaugh, Sarah Kate Walston, Rodney V. Vaughn, Mark Fitzgerald Wilson
2011 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Douglas Carpenter.
2nd Place, Katrina Thurman.
3rd Place, Christine Steyer.
4th Place, Rochelle Bard.
5th Place, Erin Shields.
Johnny Mercer Award Winner: Christine Steyer.
People’s Choice Award #1: Daniel Brevik
People’s Choice Award #2: Josef Spencer
Adjudication Panel
4-time Grammy award winning actor, Original Broadway Cast of Hair, vocal arranger and Broadway veteran, Chapman Roberts
Celebrated Broadway Veteran - Jean Valjean (Les Miserables), Phantom (Phantom of the Opera), Craig Schulman
Actress, Singer and Radio Host on Sirius XM Broadway, Christine Pedi
Mezzo-soprano, and first African-American woman to perform pants roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Hilda Harrris
World-renowned Operatic Baritone, Sherrill Milnes
Contestants: Jaymie Alilaw, Rochelle Bard, Kristian Blake, Danny Brevik, John Harrison Brink, Sedalia Marie Brown, Douglas Carpenter, Kara Cornell, Diane Daly, Cyril Durant, Lesley Anne Friend, Michelle Evans Jarrell, Cheressa Lawson, Amy Little, Christiana Little, Jeff MacMullen, James Marshall, Laura Workman McMurtrey, Rachel Maria Murphy, Emily Cruz Nowell Sarah Jenkins Queen, Heidi Schmidt, Joanne Schmoll, Sara Schone, Erin Shields, Allanda Small, Josef Spencer, Marion Samuel-Stevens, Christine Steyer, Katrina Thurman, Marty Winkler
2010 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Maria McDaniel Willathgamuwa.
2nd Place, Jennifer Zuiff.
3rd Place, Leenya Rideout.
4th Place, Jason Burke.
5th Place, Rochelle Bard.
Adjudication Panel
Soprano soloist in operas, musicals and oratorios, Dr. Gayle Seaton
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009, and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley
Mezzo-Soprano and longtime musical partner and wife of composer William Bolcom, Joan Morris
Jazz vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Allan Harris
Emmy award-winning and Grammy-nominated American documentary film director, producer, editor and writer whose primary subjects are rock, blues and folk musicians, John A. Anderson
Contestants: Rochelle Bard, Andrea Barnard, Jason Burke, Angie Cockrell, Claire Connely, Bronwyn Cronin, Minnita Daniel-Cox, Amber Fisher, Susan Fletcher, Elizabeth Gray, Richard Heard, Matthew Jones, Amy Maples, Maria McDaniel, Kim Mills, Leenya Rideout, Dixie Roberts, Jeremy Skidmore, Josef Spencer, Katherine Tombaugh, Natasha Upensky, Sarah Walston, Michael Zegarski, Jennifer Zuiff
2009 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Todd William Donovan.
In Memoriam: 2nd Place, Richard Heard.
3rd Place, Jeff MacMullen.
4th Place, Morgan James.
5th Place, Josef Spencer.
Adjudication Panel
Actress, singer, and writer of Raisin, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Lean on Me (1989) fame, Sandra Reaves-Phillips
In Memoriam: Singer, entertainer and Great American songbook specialist, Wesla Whitfield
President of Randsman Artist Management, Peter Randsman
Artist Representative with Chicago Concert Artists, Judy Reale
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley
Contestants: Erica Aubrey, Martha Batz, John Brink, Anthony Compton, Laura Coyle, Shirley Crabbe, Mela Dailey, Todd William Donovan, Amber Fisher, Rebecca Flaherty, Elizabeth Gray, Elizabeth Grayson, Richard Heard, Morgan James, Jennifer Johnson, Sara Jones, Robert Kane, Jacosa Limutau, Jeff MacMullen, James Martin, Laura McMurtrey, Keewa Nurullah, Alize Rozsnyai, Melissa Shippen, Carla Smith, Leslie Remmert-Soich, Josef Spencer, Marty Winkler
2008 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Kiley Swicegood Watson.
2nd Place, Leenya Rideout.
3rd Place, Shirley Crabbe.
Finalist, Minnita Daniel-Cox.
Finalist, Todd William Donovan.
Finalist, Josef Spencer.
Adjudication Panel
Choral composer and arranger, Kirby Shaw
Pianist, Arranger and Composer, Jacqueline Hairston
In Memoriam: Soprano, Voice Teacher and Pedagogy Author, Shirlee Emmons
Tenor, Professor of Music, and Conductor of UGA’s African American Choral Ensemble, Dr. Gregory Broughton
Metropolitan Opera Mezzo-Soprano, Sandra Walker-Brown
Contestants: David Bankston, John Brancy, Abigail Burke, Chelsea Chandler, Catherine Clarke, Kemba Cofield, Shirley Crabbe, Minnita DanieL–Cox, Nicole Dillenberg, Todd Donovan, Alan Dunbar, Georgene Fountain, Angela Gorman, Blythe Gruda, Teri Dale Hansen, Pamela Hart, Richard Heard, Morgan James, Dennis Jeter, Laura Jones, Amy Justman, Tom Krebs, Ashley Logan, Christy Manso, Vicki Mills, Leslie Soich, Haviland Stillwell, Leenya Rideout, Alize Rozsnyai, Derrick Smith, Josef Spencer, Kiley Watson, Claire Watts
2007 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Sharon Clark.
2nd Place, Morgan James.
3rd Place, Monica Denise Murphy.
4th Place, Catherine Clarke Nardolillo.
5th Place, Barbi McCulloch.
Adjudication Panel
1999 ATC Gold Medalist, Baritone and Specialist in African-American Spirituals, Robert Sims
Former conductor of “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army band, accomplished symphonic and operatic conductor, Lt. Colonel John Clanton
Metropolitan Opera Mezzo-Soprano, Sandra Walker-Brown
Vocal Coach, Arranger, Conductor, and Music Director, Robert Marks
Song Leader, Composer, Scholar, and Social activist, (A founding member of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee's Freedom Singers in the Albany Movement in Georgia in the 1960’s), Bernice Johnson Reagon
Contestants: Anna Sophia Alborn, Sean Anderson, Laura Avery, Inyang Bassey, Sara Bielanski, Sharon Clark, Catherine Clarke, Kimberly Gordon, Connie Guy, Richard Heard, Christine Marie Heath, Hope Hudson, Morgan James, Cherresa V. Lawson, Shanna Lesniak, Barbi McCullough, Monica Denise Murphy, Djoré Nance, Lorna Jane Norris, Michael Parr, David Patrone, Jeffrey Ray, Brenda Rucker, Josef Spencer, Lara Stevens, Margo Watson, Jalyn Courtenay Webb, Amber Williams, Laurie Williamson
2006 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Vale Rideout.
2nd Place, Kiley Watson.
3rd Place, Kathy Wagner.
Finalist, Barbi McCulloch.
Finalist, Dr. Tiffany Renée Jackson.
Finalist, Cherresa V. Lawson.
Adjudication Panel
Pianist, Co-founder of Opera Ebony, and collaborator of Kathleen Battle, Florence Quivar and Jessye Norman, Wayne Sanders
Renowned vocal pedagogue and educator for vocalists of all styles, especially those who perform popular genres, Jeannette LoVetri
Grammy-nominated, Billboard Gospel chart-topping vocalist, James Bignon
In Memoriam: Cabaret impresario, Founder of Mabel Mercer Foundation and New York Cabaret Convention, Donald F. Smith
Coloratura soprano, vocal educator and pedagogue, Elisabeth Howard
Contestants: Rita Addico-Cohen, Francesca mari, Denise Baker, Julie Anne Bermel, Heidi Bindhammer, C. Anthony Bryant, Catherine Clarke, Courtney Crouse Jacquelyn Culpepper, Cecily Ellis, Yolanda Hall, Richard Heard, Daniel Heath, Tiffany Jackson, Dee Kramer, Cherresa V. Lawson, Caleb Lester, Barbi McCullough, Kimerica Ottogalli, Michael Parr, Marian Rambelle, Sir Reginald, Vale Rideout, Brenda Rucker, Lisa Sain Odom, Sherri Seiden, Haviland Stillwell, Sylvia Twine, Kathy Wagner, Kiley Watson, Esther Rose Williams, Joshua Woodie
2005 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, SFC Andre McRae.
2nd Place, Sean Anderson.
3rd Place, Dee Kramer.
Finalist, Catherine Clarke Nardolillo.
Finalist, Michael Parr.
Adjudication Panel
1st-ever ATC Gold Medalist, public speaker and vocalist, Ernestine Dillard
Concert Pianist, Collaborative Pianist and Coach, Cliff Jackson
Founder of U-Miami Frost’s Vocal Jazz program, and director of the Miami Jazz Cooperative, Larry Lapin
Lyric Soprano and educator, Arianna Zukerman
Lauded Choral Clinican UMKC Choral Conductor and educator, Dr. Eph Ehly
Contestants: Francecsa Amari, Sean Anderson, Sara Bielanski, Heidi Bindhammer, Jerina Boylston, Catherine Clarke, Evita Cobo, Daniel C. Cohen, Carla Cosentine-Smith, Catherine Davis Cox, Christina E. DeVaughn, Amber Ellis, Laura Floyd, Janine Gilbert-Carter, Richard Heard, Katie Hill, Wardell Howard, Heléna Johnson, Dr. Karen Johnson, Dee Kramer, Cherresa V. Lawson, Andre McRae, Jessica Medoff, Michael Parr, Risa Poniros, Brenda Rucker, Karla Simmons, Alysa Smith, Haviland Stillwell, Danielle Svonavec, Helene Tintes-Schuermann, Margo Watson
2004 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Maria Clark.
2nd Place, Sean Anderson.
3rd Place, Huxsie Scott
Lyle M. Nicholson, Finalist.
Michelle Sundwall, Finalist.
Elizabeth Croy, Finalist.
Adjudication Panel
Playwright, Lyricist, NPR Broadcaster and Arts Administrator, Murray Horwitz
Christ Church Savannah Music Director, Pianist, and Organist, Timothy Hall
Former Music Minister and Savannah Alderman, and the 67th Mayor of Savannah, the Honorable Van R. Johnson, II
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley
Metropolitan Opera Mezzo-Soprano, Cynthia Munzer
Contestants: Daniella Macesic, Sean Anderson, Phillip Lamar Boykin, Matthew Carey, Maria Clark, Catherine E. Clarke, Daniel C. Cohen, Catherine Davis Cox, Elizabeth Croy, Jacquelyn Culpepper, Christine Heath, Laurie Krauz,, Cherresa V. Lawson, Yolanda Hall Long, Jimmie Nettles, Lyle K. Nicholson, Dexter Porter, Wendy Reynolds, Diana Rogers, Huxsie Scott, Alysa Smith, Michelle Sundwall, Rosemary Tarquinio, Karen Young, Maria Tineo
2003 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Andrew Garland.
2nd Place, Tituss Burgess.
3rd Place, Phillip Lamar Boykin.
Adjudication Panel
Founder and Director of Grammy-nominated Savannah Community Choir, Host of Gospel Radio show on WSOK-AM, E. Larry McDuffie
Three-time TONY Award winning composer and lyricist (Annie; Bye, Bye Birdie, Applause), Charles Strouse
Acclaimed Jazz Singer and Songwriter, Sheila Jordan
Metropolitan Opera Mezzo-Soprano, Cynthia Munzer
Pianist, Co-founder of Opera Ebony, and collaborator of Kathleen Battle, Florence Quivar and Jessye Norman, Wayne Sanders
Contestants: Titilayo Adedokun, Amy Albritton, Phillip Lamar Boykin, Linda Brown, Tituss Burgess, Matthew Carey, Sharon Carroll, Daniel C. Cohen, Christina DeVaughn, Dawn Douglass, Vicki S. Downer, Elisa Dragotto, Carol Dufner, Andrew Garland, Juliet E. Gilchrist, Adriane Graham-Lacy, Richard Heard, Christopher Hendley, Cecelia Henry, Carol Howard, Olivia Howell, Hope Hudson, Gloria Johnson, Brian Long, Roger Moss, Robert Ray, Judy A. Richer, Angela Rossi, Brenda Rucker, Melanie Scafide-Russell, Josef Spencer, Michelle Sundwall, Tina Thompson-Broussard, Shirley Tripp, Melanie Walters, Amira Young
2002 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Alice Tillotson Ratterree.
2nd Place, Tituss Burgess.
3rd Place, Titilayo Adedokun.
Adjudication Panel
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley
Boasting a six decade career in leading roles for Broadway, film, and tv, Shirley Jones
Singer, Composer, and member of Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1979 to 2013, Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell
In Memoriam: Soprano and Ghost Singer for featured actresses in movie musicals, Marni Nixon
In Memoriam: Singer, Sctress, Guitarist, Lyricist, and Civil/Human Rights Activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement", Odetta
Contestants: Titlayo Adedokun, Nancy Maria Balach, Kristina Beaty, Violet Bennet, Omega Bone, Kyle Bradford, Gary Branigan, Tituss Burgess, Amanda Burrows, Georgina Concepcion, Brenda Corder Reed, Shirley Crabbe, Jewel M. Crenshaw, Elizabeth Croy, Monica F. Daughtry, Vicki Downer, John English, Juliet E. Gilchrist, Pamela Hamilton, Katie Hill, Richard Hobson, Maria Concetto Izzo, Robert Kane, Mark Daniel Kershner, Lauren Kilgore, Cherresa Lawson, Roger Moss, Jr., Grace O’Connor, Jillian M. O’Neill, Anthony Offerle, Imani Q’ryn, Lisa Romero, Brenda Rucker, Joanne Schmoll, Kaye Sloan, Stacy Stephens, Tracy Thomas, Alice Tillotson, Jeanene Timberlake, Betty Elkins Tomboulian
2001 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Kim Michael Polote.
2nd Place, Kathy Wagner.
3rd Place, Mara Bonde.
Adjudication Panel
Singer, Composer, and member of Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1979 to 2013, Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell
Oscar-winning film Actress, and original Broadway Ado Annie (Oklahoma!), Celeste Holm
Acclaimed Jazz Singer and Songwriter, Sheila Jordan
Three-time TONY Award winning composer and lyricist (Annie; Bye, Bye Birdie, Applause), Charles Strouse
In Memoriam: Greek-American Operatic Bass-Baritone and Actor, Spiro Malas
Contestants: Brad Alexander, Rashad W. Allen, Nancy M. Balach, Laura Benjamin, Violet Bennett, Mara Bonde, Steven Bourdeau, Kyle Bradford, Gary Branigan, Tituss Burgess, Sherry Butler, Heather Clemens, Shirley Crabbe, Shoshana Dalia, Jeanette D’Armand, Olivia Detante, Gregory Eichelzer, John English, Jillann Gabrielle, Jazmin Gorsline, Eryn Green, Ivan Griffin, Anna Marie Grywalski, Richard Heard, Katie Hill, Brian Hunter, Marla S. Jones, Shelley Jo Keelor, Linda Lister, Barbara Olsen, Kim Michael Polote, Imani Q’ryn, Bronwyn Diana Rager, L’Tanya Marí Rivas, JoAnne Schmoll, Joanne Stephenson, Shirley Tripp, Kathy Wagner, Melanie Walters, Landon Westbrook, Carmen White, Brenda K. Witmer, Erin Wright, Mara Zhi
2000 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, John Wesley Wright.
Adjudication Panel
In Memoriam: Singer, Sctress, Guitarist, Lyricist, and Civil/Human Rights Activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement", Odetta
Chair, Keyboard Studies; Director, Keyboard Collaborative Arts at USC Thornton, Alan L. Smith
In Memoriam: Popular Music and Country Singer, daughter of Richard Whiting, Early Capitol Records Recording Artist, Margaret Whiting
In Memoriam: Legendary Bass-Baritone, Actor and husband of famed Soprano, Leontyne Price, William Warfield
Three-time Tony Award Winning Lyricist and Songwriter, Pulitzer Prize Winner and 2016 Special Tony Award Recipient for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, Sheldon Harnick
Contestants: Audrey Austin, Judy Bady, Abigail Booth Burke, Janet Chadwick, Shirley Crabbe, Janine de Souza, Elisa Dragotto, Daniel Edward Frazier, Jillann Gabrielle, Janette Goleme, Jazmin Gorsline, Eryn Green, Steven Grudzien, Carolyn Heafner, Richard Heard, Gregory Hickman-Williams, Susan Jackson, Raymond Jordan, Carol M. Jurs, Shelley Keelor, Jean-Ronald LaFond, DeVonna M. Lawrence, Martha Malone, Jarvis M. Moorehead, David Neal, Lyle Nicholson, Steffanie Pearce, Kathryn Petroff, Kim Michael Polote, Margot Potter, Joanne Schmoll, Elizabeth Tatum-Harris, Patti Thomas, Stephanie Tingler, Melinda Wakefield, Margo Watson, John Wesley Wright, Michael Zegarski
1999 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Robert L. Sims.
2nd Place, Shirley Tripp.
3rd Place, Emily Herring.
Finalist, Tracy Thomas.
Finalist, Kathy Wagner.
Finalist, Brad Wilson.
Adjudication Panel
Singer, Composer, and member of Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1979 to 2013, Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell
Three-time TONY Award winning composer and lyricist (Annie; Bye, Bye Birdie, Applause), Charles Strouse
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley
In Memoriam: Soprano and Ghost Singer for featured actresses in movie musicals, Marni Nixon
In Memoriam: Actress, Singer, and Dancer who first appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals in the 1940s, Jane Powell
Contestants: Sebronette Barnes, Violet Bennett, Angela Colleen Birchett, Angela Small Blalock, Aaron Bond, Jerina McCollum Boylston, David Carpenter, Laura Carr, Sabrina Elayne Carten, William North Cleckler, Heather Clemens, Jan Dickerson, Elisa Dragotto, John English, Mel Foster, Shoshana Dalia Friedman, Janette Goleme, Chalmers Gorman, Lorenzo M. Grant, Eryn Green, Ivan Griffin, Carolyn Heafner, Richard Heard, Emily Herring, Xie Jie, Kathy Arleen Lawes, William R. Lewis, Roderick O. Lofton, Julie Moore-Ellis, Gerri Morrison, Kristie Nix, Brian A. Oliver Smith, Kathryn Petroff, Pamelia S. Phillips, Kim Michael Polote, Risa Poniros, Vir Linda Ray, Debra Rider, Robert Sims, Gregory L. Smith, Joan Ellen Solaini, Jenny Lynn Stewart, Mark Sullivan, Tracy Thomas, Shirley Tripp, Kathy Wagner, Margo Watson, Christopher Wilburn, Brad Wilson, Michael Zegarski
1998 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Amy Yovanovich.
In Memoriam: 2nd Place, Carolyn Jackson-Fields.
3rd Place, Judy Bady.
In Memoriam: Finalist, Richard Heard.
Finalist, Dianne Mower.
Finalist, Elisa Spiotto.
Adjudication Panel
In Memoriam: Legendary Bass-Baritone, Actor and husband of famed Soprano, Leontyne Price, William Warfield
In Memoriam: Metropolitan Opera Mezzo-soprano, Voice Teacher, Opera Director, Blanche Thebom
TONY-nominated actress, best-known for originating the role of Annie, Andrea McArdle
In Memoriam: beloved Jazz singer and Educator, Founder of East Coast Jazz Festival, Ronnie Wells
In Memoriam: Los Angeles Times Classical Music critic, whose career spanned four decades, Daniel Cariaga
Contestants: Pamela Babb, Judy Bady, Violet Bennett, Annette Birdsong-Washington, Jacquetta L. Carr, Sabrina E. Carten, William N. Cleckler, Heather Clemens, Donna M. Cox, Ph. D., Hollis L. Donaldson, Stephen Edwards, Shoshana D. Friedman, Eryn Green, Charlene Hazin, Richard Heard, Nan Hughes, Carolyn Jackson-Fields, Chelby Lynn Johnson, Dawn Holt Lauber, Samuel Lloyd, Markus Lloyd, Arietha Lockhart, Irene Lumpkin, Elizabeth Montgomery, Dianne Mower, Kathryn Petroff, Joanne Schmoll, Christa Shuford, Robert Sims, Elisa Spiotto, Steven Stull, Christine Thomas, Shirley Tripp, Margo Watson, Ruth Wilson, Brad Wilson, Amy E. Yovanovich
1997 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Kelly Ellenwood.
2nd Place, Lisa Edwards- Burrs.
3rd Place, Diana Solomon-Glover.
Finalist, Robert L. Sims.
Finalist, Patricia Glenn Wilemon.
Pastor Patrinell Wright.
Adjudication Panel
In Memoriam: Singer, Sctress, Guitarist, Lyricist, and Civil/Human Rights Activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement", Odetta
Three-time TONY Award winning composer and lyricist (Annie; Bye, Bye Birdie, Applause), Charles Strouse
Singer, Composer, and member of Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1979 to 2013, Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell
In Memoriam: Soprano and Ghost Singer for featured actresses in movie musicals, Marni Nixon
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley
Contestants: Rashad W. Allen. Violet Bennett, Mary Burt, Yoruba M. Chillus, Ruth Ann Cunningham, Lisa Edwards-Burr, Kelly Ellenwood, Jennye Guy, Kara Charise Harman, Karla Heath-Sands, Beverly Hill, Richard Hobson, Stanley Irwin, Kellie R. Justice, Maria Kamara, William Krusemark, Jacqueline Paige-Green, Kirsten Paludan, Risa Poniros, Christine Poythress, Constance H. Rhodes, Debra Bailey Rider, Lynn Shane, Robert L. Sims, Juliette Singler, Diana Solomon-Glover, Jan Spencer, Sharon L. Stohrer, Joylene Taylor, Patti Wilemon Thomas, Juliet Valencia, Cheryl Warfield, Margo Watson, Brad Wilson, Patrinell Wright, Amy Yovanovich, Barbara Zellner
1996 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
1st Place, Darryl Williams.
2nd Place, Jeanné Brown.
3rd Place, Steven Stull.
Finalist, Andrea Dismukes.
In Memoriam: Finalist, Sherry Dukes.
Finalist, Patricia Glenn Wilemon.
Adjudication Panel
Classical Soprano and beloved Music Educator, Gwendolyn Lytle
In Memoriam: Soprano and Ghost Singer for featured actresses in movie musicals, Marni Nixon
In Memoriam: Legendary Bass-Baritone, Actor and husband of famed Soprano, Leontyne Price, William Warfield
Contestants: Kat R. Alston, Violet Bennett, Jeanette Blakeney, Jeanné Brown, Joe Ella Cansler, Anne Chase, Carole Clifford, Donald Creer, Jacquelyn Culpepper, Donna Davidson-Jackson, Andrea Dismukes, Sherry Dukes, Mark Anthony Hall, Richard Heard, Karen Johnson, Dianne Mower, Glenn Nixon, Brenda Brown Perez, Janis-Rozena Peri, Kathryn Petroff, Christine Poythress, Huxsie Scott, Lynda Seible, Carolyn Snyder-Menke, Vincent Dion Stringer, Steven Stull, Joylene Taylor, Erica Thomas, Eugene Thomas, Patti Thomas, Sylvia V. C. Twine, Margo Watson, Darryl Williams
1995 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION
In Memoriam: 1st Place, Canon Deborah Marie Ford-Bigger.
2nd Place, Richard Hobson.
In Memoriam: Eunice Denkins Cooks.
Finalist, Lura Daniels Ball.
Finalist, David Goulet.
Finalist, Gale LeVon
Adjudication Panel
In Memoriam; Jazz and Gospel Singer, Actress (Touched by an Angel), and ordained minister whose career spanned seven decades, Della Reese
In Memoriam: Operatic Baritone, Chester Ludgin
TONY nominator, pianist, conductor, Co-founder and Artistic Director for the National Music Theater Conference at the O’Neill Theater Center (mentoring writers such as Jeanine Tesori, Andrew Lippa, Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Tan Dun, Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater, and Lin-Manuel Miranda), Paulette Haupt
In Memoriam: Legendary Bass-Baritone, Actor and husband of famed Soprano, Leontyne Price, William Warfield
Three-time TONY Award winning composer and lyricist (Annie; Bye, Bye Birdie, Applause), Charles Strouse
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley
Contestants: Ruth Alexander, Lura Ball, Violet Bennett, Darlene Bonaparte, Madeline Bryan Davis, Gary Branigan, Emmanuel Mani Cadet, Eileen Clark, Eunice Denkins-Cooks, Kimberly Dunn, Mary Ann Evangelista, Deborah Ford-Bigger, David Goulet, Randell Bess Gregoire, Mark Hart, Richard Hobson, David Lee Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Gale LeVon, Joy L. Matthews, Claudette McCargo, Brenda Kay Miller, Jane L .Ohmes, Franco Pulice, Charlotte Shields, Derrick Smith, Josef Spencer, Keith Spencer, Steven Sull, Cheryl Warfield, John W. Williams
1994 AMERICAN TRADITIONS VOCAL COMPETITION (INAUGURAL)
1st Place, Ernestine Dillard.
2nd Place, Marietta Simpson.
3rd Place, Barbara Johnson Tucker.
Finalist, Roslyn Burrough.
Finalist, Jeanette Thompson.
Finalist, Sonja Grayer.
Adjudication Panel
Mezzo-Soprano, Advocate of legislation supporting the performing arts and classical artists (including work on tax reform, health insurance and copyright laws for performing artists), the first woman president of The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Nedda Casei
Former President of the National Black Music Caucus, Longtime Senior at Miami-Dade College (Senior Administrator, Academic Dean, Dean of the Honors College), and Music Educator, Dr. Alexandria Holloway
In Memoriam: Jazz and Gospel Singer, Actress (Touched by an Angel), and ordained minister whose career spanned seven decades, Della Reese
In Memoriam: beloved Jazz singer and Educator, Founder of East Coast Jazz Festival, Ronnie Wells
Legendary Operatic tenor, educator and ATC Judge and 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2010 ATC Judge, George Shirley