Soprano Julia Metzler was awarded First Place in the Western Regional Final of The Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions on Sunday, January 14. Julia, who performs with the Master Chorale, will now advance to the semi-finals of the prestigious singing competition being held in New York City in April. Julia tied for First Place with tenor Carlos Enrique Santelli who will also advance to the semi-finals.


Julia, most recently a featured soloist in the Master Chorale’s performance of Handel’s Messiah in December, has previously been a finalist in Western Regional competition three other times and awarded “Special Encouragement Award.” This is her first time advancing the semi-finals. The National Council Grand Finals Concert will take place at The Metropolitan Opera on April 29. Past winners of the National Council Auditions program include a who’s who of American opera and it is recognized as a catalyst to launching singers’ careers.

Julia re-joined the Master Chorale this season after a hiatus during which time she was an active opera and concert soloist and a Vocal Fellow at Music Academy of the West. She originally auditioned and joined the Master Chorale when she was just 16, making her the youngest ever member of the Master Chorale at the time.

We wish Julia the very best!