the 28 quarter finalists have been announced for the 25^th annual American Traditions Vocal Competition which is slated to run Feb. 19-23, 2018.

ATC is not only Savannah’s premiere professional vocal competition, but it stands alone as a unique competition which showcases contestants performing American Music from a wide range of different genres. The talented quarter finalists announced today, who will all be awarded cash prizes, have already achieved great success amongst tough competition by passing the ATC’s stringent application process by creating three rounds of three different songs, all written by American composers. The silver anniversary of the ATC is likely to be the best yet as applications were received from all over the USA as well as Canada, the UK and the Philippines resulting in a 35% increase in the number of applications year on year building on a similar rise in applications last year.

The 28 successful applicants for 2018 who will appear in the quarter finals of the 25^th annual ATC are (in alphabetical order):

• Emily Yocum Black 

• Allyson Briggs

• Emanuel Camacho

• Aaron Casey

• Julianne Daly

• Maria Damore

• Erica Everett

• Ta’Nika Gibson

• Brian Giebler

• Adam Griffiths

• Cooper Grodin

• Lily Guerrero

• Jasmine Habersham

• Sarah Kervin

• Cherresa Lawson

• Duane Moody

• Brandon Nase

• Rebecca Odorisio

• Rachel Policar

• Michael Preacely

• Josephine Sanges

• Jackie Schiffer

• Megan Schubert

• Perry Sherman

• Dara Tucker

• Brenda Turner

• Kayla Wilkens

• Teresa Williams

Artistic Director of the ATC, Mikki Sodergren said “We are delighted to be entering our 25^th anniversary season with such a strong line up of quarter finalists. Among the successful applicants we have seven ATC alumni including a previous Ben Tucker Jazz Award winner and Johnny Mercer Award winner.  It is always gratifying to see contestants returning as it demonstrates that people enjoy the experience of participating in the ATC.  With other quarter finalists including Savannah VOICE Festival and Kurt Weill Foundation alumni as well as winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and Joy in Singing Competition, the quality and talent for 2018’s competition is truly exceptional.”

Performers are scored based off technique, diversity of program and artistry on a scale of 1-10. Competition is fierce and with a prize fund of over $44,000 including the Gold medal award with a prize of $12,000, the ATC medals are much sought after.  For 2018 the finalists include 19 female singers (12 Sopranos, 6 Mezzo-Sopranos and 1 Alto) and 9 male artists (7 tenors and 2 baritones).

Locals will be pleased to see three contestants from Georgia progressing to the quarter finals including: soprano - Brenda Turner from Decatur who was also a quarterfinalist last year; soprano - Jasmine Habersham from Lizella and Atlanta based Alto - Teresa Williams.

To buy tickets or for more information, please visit www.americantraditionscompetition.com  or call the Savannah Theatre Box Office on (912) 233-7764