BYU student Jonah Hoskins sang his way into $20,000 and a winner of the 2020 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions this weekend, one of the most prestigious opera competitions for young adults.
Held at the legendary Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, Hoskins was one of five performers to win the prestigious award. This year’s finalists were chosen from more than 1,000 singers across North America. He sang “Ah! Mes amis” followed by “Si ritrovarla”with accompaniment from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
“Winning this competition totally changes everything for me in this career,” Hoskins said. “It’s a huge opportunity and gives you amazing exposure to all the big opera houses in the country.”
Hoskins, a senior majoring in vocal performance, has studied with BYU vocal performance professor Robert Brandt.
Just a few years ago Hoskins pushed pause on his promising opera future by choosing to serve a full-time mission for the church. He spent two years in New York City, the same place he just achieved the highest honor in his career so far.
Hoskins older sister Mary finished in the top 20 during last year’s competition. And in 2013, then-BYU student Rebecca Pedersen was also announced a winner.
Jonah, Mary and Rebecca all studied with former BYU professor Darrell Babidge.