​Donald Chen Young Artist Award

The Dr. Donald Chen Young Artist Award, established in 2008 and named for the NSCS music director emeritus, supports and promotes young, emerging singers.  The award is given annually to an outstanding young vocalist, and in alternate years a competition is held with the finalists performing before a live audience and judges. This year's competition was held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, with seven finalists (pictured below).  
 
Prizes:
  • First Place: $500 and a paid solo performance in an upcoming North Shore Choral Society concert
  • Second Place: $250
  • Third Place: $100


Congratulations to our
2024 DCYAA Winners:

​First Place: Sadie Cheslak, mezzo-soprano (left)
Second Place: Calista Ro-Jei Smith, soprano (right)
Third Place: Andrew Garratt, baritone (center)

 Picture
NSCS Donald Chen Young Artist Award 2024 Finalists
​(from left):

Wesley Diener, baritone
Catherine Larson, soprano
Sadie Cheslak, mezzo-soprano
Andrew Garratt, baritone
Matthew Sink, tenor
Isabel Yang, mezzo-soprano
Calista Ro-Jei Smith, soprano
Copyright © 2025 North Shore Choral Society. All Rights Reserved.

The North Shore Choral Society is partially supported by a grant from the Evanston Arts Council and the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.