Winning the Zita Bernstein German Lieder Competition in November was an affirmation of Laurelle Froese’s (pictured left) passion for music and that she is on the right path musically.

“I love singing German Lied, and it was a real honor to win this competition,” she says of the prestigious award which was established in 1998 by Mark and Zita Bernstein, and carries a cash prize award. 

Students competing must perform three selections of German Lieder by at least two different composers and be enrolled in the Faculty of Music as a full-time student. This year’s competition saw 19 students compete in the initial round, with nine finalists selected.

“This award also speaks highly to the Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music,” Froese says, “The Zita Bernstein Prize in particular allows students to understand and develop their interpretation and understanding of this music further. This repertoire in particular is so crucial to one’s development as a classical singer, and this competition allows students to closely examine some of these pieces, and grow artistically through them.

“I would like to say a huge thank you also to the donors, Mr. and Mrs. Bernstein, as I have competed in this competition in previous years, and throughout it has been a great experience, allowing singers to develop their craft on so many different levels.”

Froese adds that winning competitions like this one is important to companies and programs and will help her as she plans for the future. “It is nice to say that I have won a competition of this nature- particularly when it is music that I love singing!

“I have been really fortunate to gain some great contacts through the undergrad and post baccalaureate programs at the University of Manitoba,” says Froese who has performed in Winnipeg with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Musical Offering, Prairie Performances, and the Winnipeg Women's Musical Club, as well as within several university ensembles. “Through the opportunities the university has given me, I have been able to develop as a performer, and am now taking on my first full role in an opera this summer at Opera Nuova in Edmonton.”

Froese graduated in spring with a Post-baccalaureate in Voice Performance and plans to continue studying with well respected teachers and coaches in Canada.

The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative has also made a contribution to this fund.