The Handel Aria Competition is an annual event dedicated to promoting
the performance of Handel’s extensive vocal repertoire.
The 13th Annual Handel Aria Competition
This year’s Handel Aria Competition took place on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 7:30 pm in the historic Grace Episcopal Church on the capitol square in Madison, Wisconsin. It was available via live stream for free, and will soon be posted on our YouTube channel.
Announcing the 2026 Winners
We are delighted to announce the winners of the 13th annual Handel Aria Competition.
- First prize Andréa Walker, soprano
- Second prize Fran Daniel Laucerica, tenor
- Third prize & Audience Favorite Katherine Lerner Lee, mezzo-soprano
Honorable mention encouragement prizes went to Sam Denler, tenor; Daniel Boyd, bass-baritone; Sarah Fleiss, soprano; and Addy Sterrett, soprano.
📷 Lewis Photography
Congratulations to the seven exceptional singers chosen as finalists in the 2026 Handel Aria Competition – out of an international field of over 120 applicants!
They are, from left to right: Sam Denler, Fran Daniel Laucerica, Katherine Lerner Lee, Andréa Walker, Daniel Boyd, Sarah Fleiss and Addy Sterrett.
Our Judges for 2026
From left to right: Harpsichordist Jason J. Moy is one of the most sought-after early keyboard specialists in the Midwest. He is Artistic Director of Ars Musica Chicago and Associate Music Director of Bach in the City, Chicago’s newest period instrument ensemble.
The founding Artistic Director of the Handel Aria Competition, Cheryl Bensman-Rowe, mezzo-soprano, was also the Co- Artistic Director of the Madison Early Music Festival. A former faculty member at Vanderbilt University and UW-Oshkosh, she currently teaches adults and high school students in her private studio in Madison.
Chase Hopkins serves as the General Director of Chicago’s acclaimed Haymarket Opera Company and Artistic Director of Opera Edwardsville. Hopkins’ singing career included a strong focus on Baroque opera, having performed at festivals across Europe and the United States
2026 Program
Support Us Your donation helps us support emerging singers throughout the competition process by underwriting travel grants and awards, as well as providing remuneration for competition judges and instrumental accompanists.