On Saturday, March 19, twenty-eight talented vocalists competed for top prizes in the annual Denver Lyric Opera Guild competition. Colorado State University graduate student, Lauren Bumgarner, won first place.

According to the guild's website, the organization's mission is to encourage and support young singers and provide continuing education for DLOG members in the appreciation and knowledge of opera.

About the winner:

Lauren Bumgarner, soprano, received her B.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of California – Santa Cruz and is working on her M.M. in Vocal Performance at Colorado State University. Lauren was the 2020 Emerging Artist for MIOpera and was selected as a 2020 Apprentice Artist at Opera Fort Collins. Roles for MIOpera include Micheala in Carmen and Juliette in Romeo et Juliette.

“A resourceful, intelligent, and hard-working student, Lauren took the difficulties of the COVID changes in stride,” said Dr. Tiffany Blake, director of the Ralph Opera Program. “In addition to being a beautiful singer, Lauren is a wonderful person. She is genuine, kind, and gracious. In a business with many large egos, Lauren is a refreshing reminder that talent and humility can go hand-in-hand.”

Bumgarner sang the lead role in the 2021 Fall Opera Dido and Aeneas. This spring she is again featured as one of the leads in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, opening April 1.

“There are a lot of highs and lows in the business, but yesterday was certainly a very unexpected high. Thank you so much to DLOG for all that you do to support young opera singers on their professional journeys, and to the Galen & Ada Belle Spencer Foundation for their generosity. And the BIGGEST thank you to my teacher Dr. Tiffany Blake, my family, colleagues, instructors, and friends who have supported me and believed in me every step of the way,” said Bumgarner.