Millikin University graduate Audrianna Bartholomew, Class of 2021, took top honors at the 2022 NextGen National Competition: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow, presented by The American Pops Orchestra (APO), on Sunday, March 20.
Final round performances were held at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center in New York City. While in New York City, finalists participated in rehearsals with APO musicians, attended a Broadway masterclass and attended a Broadway show.
For her final performance, Bartholomew sang “I Wanted to Change Him” from the musical “Hallelujah, Baby!” and “I Put a Spell on You” by Nina Simone. She performed alongside APO principal pianist, Alex Tang, and principal bass, Greg Watkins, and worked with APO founder and Music Director, Luke Frazier.
“It was incredible to be in the rehearsal room as Luke (Frazier) would change accompaniment on the spot and the musicians would follow him,” Bartholomew said. “He prioritized making the contestants feel comfortable and putting forth their best. I couldn’t feel more grateful for the experience of having an all-expenses paid opportunity to be in New York for a weekend and performing with such a talented group.”
Bartholomew was one of 10 contestants to be selected as a finalist (including two alternates) following the semifinal event of the competition that was shared with the public through a private broadcast on Jan. 29. The finalists were announced on Jan. 30. The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges as well as a virtual audience, who received a voting link following the Jan. 29 broadcast to support their favorite semifinalists. The judges were: Broadway actress Aisha Jackson, U.S. Navy Band musician Cory Parker, Metropolitan Opera soprano Brittany Renee Robinson, and Broadway director and choreographer Tara Young.
NextGen is a vocal competition created by APO and Music Director Luke Frazier with the purpose of identifying young aspiring vocalists from across the United States and providing them the opportunity to work with and learn from industry professionals, as well as to perform live with an orchestra.
Each year, NextGen participants compete for the chance to win a monetary prize and various paid performance opportunities. As the first-place female winner, Bartholomew receives $2,000 as well as a paid performance opportunity during APO’s 2022-23 season.
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