Congratulations to Justin Payne, Instructor of Voice, for winning First Prize at the George Shirley Competition held at the University of Michigan. In addition to First Prize, Prof. Payne was awarded the George Shirley Tenor Prize, the Willis Patterson Art Song Prize, and the Patricia Miller Aria Prize. 

The competition is in its 15th year, and is named for George Shirley, Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Michigan, and the first African American tenor to sing a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera, and the first black member of the United States Army Chorus.  

The competition also champions the work of Black and African American composers of opera, art song and spirituals. There were over 110 applicants this year across 3 divisions. Prof. Payne also represented UNO in a masterclass given by Maestro Shirley.