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LEXINGTON, Ky. — The annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition took place on Sunday at the University of Kentucky. This year’s competition was its 20th anniversary.
The sound of talented vocals accompanied by piano rang out at the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center for the Arts’ auditorium on Sunday for the vocal competition.
Audrianna Hughes is a UK graduate student who attended the event. She participated in the competition back in 2023.
“Just to get up here and share with everyone was an amazing prize just itself,” Hughes said.
That wasn’t the only prize Hughes won that day. She was awarded two cash prizes.
“When they called my name first for the original Smith Jr. Award, I was already overtaken, overwhelmed with so much joy and excitement, and then once they got to the Graduate category and they called my name again, that’s when it really settled in that I know that this is, this is where I want to be,” Hughes said.
About $700,000 in prizes has been dispersed between all 18 participants through several awards this year to go toward their education at UK.
“These are students who are interested in coming to the University of Kentucky to pursue an operatic career,” said Everett McCorvey, the director of the UK Opera Theatre program. “Also, they come because they’re interested in teaching at universities. Some students are interested in teaching at high schools or elementary schools.”
Over the competition’s 20 years, more than $12 million in prizes have been awarded to students.
“It’s been a game changer for us here at the university,” McCorvey said. “We created a competition that is the best competition in the world for young singers.”
More than 200 students have benefited from the vocal competition over the years. Hughes is among them and she is grateful.
“The whole time I’ve been here, I’ve been very, very relaxed and I don’t have to worry about making ends meet, especially as a college student,” Hughes said. “That’s always like the big thing, but with the Alltech scholarship, I haven’t had any worries about any financial things.”
Hughes has been part of the UK Opera Theatre program since starting her graduate degree in 2023. She graduates this year.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton also attended the competition to watch. She presented a proclamation to recognize its 20th anniversary.

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