Xijin Chen ’24 MM and Shiyu Zhuo ’24 MM Advance in Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition

Alumni Xijin Chen ’24 MM and Shiyu Zhuo ’24 MM have advanced in the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition, one of the most significant career-launching auditions for emerging opera singers.

Chen advanced from the San Diego District and will compete in the Western Regional Finals in Los Angeles. Zhuo advanced from the New York District and Eastern Region Finals, securing a place in the National Semifinals, which will be held in March at the Metropolitan Opera.

Chen is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Opera Performance at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, where she studies with Leah Crocetto and is a recipient of the Butler School of Music Scholarship Award.While at NEC, Chen studied with Carole Haber '83 MM, received the Dean’s Scholarship, and performed roles including Giunone in La Calisto, as well as scenes from Roméo et Juliette, L’amico Fritz, Don Pasquale, and Falstaff. She also received an Encouragement Award at the 2024 Laffont Competition.

Zhuo’s advancement to the National Semifinals places her among a select group of singers nationwide to compete at the highest level of the competition, continuing NEC’s strong tradition of representation in major operatic forums. Zhuo also studied with Carole Haber '83 MM at NEC and is currently continuing their studies at the Juilliard School.