NEC Alumni Edward Ferran ’23 and Yihe Wang ’22 MM, ’23 GD Earn Honors at 2026 Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Competition

NEC alumni tenor Edward Ferran ’23 and baritone Yihe Wang ’22 MM, ’23 GD received honors at the 2026 Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Competition. Ferran won the competition’s top prize, receiving $12,000, while Wang earned the Encouragement Award, receiving $500.

The Gerda Lissner Foundation was established by Mrs. Lissner, a devoted Metropolitan Opera subscriber for 77 years, to give aspiring classical singers the financial support they need to build their careers. The Foundation believes that "nurturing emerging artists is essential to the future of classical music". The annual competition was established in 2015 in association with The Liederkranz Foundation, celebrating the art song repertoire and its role in a singer’s artistic development. Unlike the Foundation’s International Vocal Competition, which focuses on operatic performance, the Art Song Competition emphasizes text interpretation, stylistic range, physical presence, and vocal technique. Ferran and Wang’s achievements in this year's competition recognize their artistry and continuing development as vocal performers. 

Congratulations to Edward and Yihe on their amazing accomplishments!