Thanks to everyone who responded to my question! I was especially glad to get some views from "the other side" - from the judge's point of view, as well.
Those I've known (whether personally or indirectly) who've won the Nationals seem to have taken the same turn indicated by a respondent - a little boost, but not much more than that. One singer I knew indirectly is doing pretty well in NY - Greg Touray - my husband won against him in NATS several years ago. Others seem to get regional work, but don't seem to go further. My teacher was a Nationals winner in '82 (I think), and it really did launch her international career - she did leading roles at the Met with Kraus, Domingo, etc. Maybe she was an exception, or maybe things have changed since then.
My personal experience was that I was a district winner at 23, but felt overwhelmed by the competition at the regional level. I was perplexed by the judges varying comments - but did feel encouraged by the experience. My husband, who is just now coming into his big tenor voice at 32, had a frustrating experience his last time out (1995 - he was 27) - someone wrote that if you don't seem to fall into a neat category, the judges don't seem to want you. His choices were criticized more than his voice. One of his competitors on the district and regional levels won the Nationals that year - Susan Tilbury. She came to Louisville, KY to do a Romeo and Juliet, but I don't know what else she's done, other than have a baby! Another National winner we knew indirectly was Jamie Rogers - who was on the Paul Bunyon broadcast from NYCO, and just came to Louisville to do Adele (Fledermaus), and I know she did Queen of the Night (I think?) in Nashville, and something in Knoxville, her home town.
This brings up another point - is it my imagination, or is there a glass ceiling where the NYCO is concerned in terms of the Met? I know another singer, Danny Mobbs, who is working steadily, and has done several roles with NYCO, but hasn't hit the Met stage.
Anybody want to comment?
Sarah
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