parties

Annual ‘Arias’ Competition and Posh Dinner Draw Young Stars — and Big Fundraising Bucks — to HGO

Katy Anderson
Annual ‘Arias’ Competition and Posh Dinner Draw Young Stars — and Big Fundraising Bucks — to HGO

Rafael Rojas, Ani Kushyan, Dominic Domingo, Navasard Hakobyan

THE SPECTACULAR WORTHAM Center tradition that’s sometimes called the American Idol of the opera world — followed in best-of-Houston form by a gala dinner party in the Grand Foyer — was a rousing and inspiring success last week.

Eight finalists from around the world — winnowed down from some 900 contestants — performed in Houston Grand Opera’s Concert of Arias before a packed hall, the final stage of the Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers. The bragging rights to one of the most prestigious titles for emerging opera talent wasn’t the only thing at stake: Winners divided $21,500 in prize money!

The first-place winner, Alabama-born-and-raised soprano Elizabeth Hanje, took home $10,000 of that herself, as well as an invitation to join the Butler Studio, the company’s renowned training program for young artists. Chinese bass-baritone Ziniu Zhao won the second prize of $5,000.

The event was also “seen worldwide via a livestreamed program hosted by acclaimed baritone Ryan McKinny, a Butler Studio alumnus and adored company favorite,” noted an HGO rep.

After the performances, guests dined on duck, with blood orange panna cotta for dessert, and mingled with contestants and the evening’s judges. The latter included Eun Sun Kim, HGO’s principal guest conductor; HGO CEO Khori Dastoor; and HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. The panel also included HGO’s artistic advisor, the soprano Ana María Martínez, who selected Brooklyn’s Sam Dhobhany, a bass-baritone, to win her annual Ana María Martínez Encouragement Award.

“There is no better distillation of HGO’s mission than the Concert of Arias,” said Dastoor of the ultimate dinner-and-a-show, which this year was chaired by Theresa and Peter Chang chaired and raised nearly $700,000 to support the Butler Studio and the company’s missions to make opera more accessible to diverse communities across Houston.

VIPs in the crowd included Nina and Michael Zilkha, Isabel and Danny David, Anne and Albert Chao, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Molly and Jim Crownover, Betty and Jess Tutor, Dan Irion, Kirk Kveton, Karen Payne, Beth Madison, Gene Wu, Miya Shay, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Andrew Pappas and CJ Martin.

Anne Chao, Jazmine Saunders, Albert Chao

Beth Bullock, Ken Bullock

Deidra Norris, Josepha Immanuel

Dominic Macklon, Mindy Davidson, Kelly Rose, Josh Davidson

Emily Treigle, Jim Crownover, Molly Crownover

Gretchen Watkins, Khori Dastoor, Selda Gunsel

Jason Wang, Julia Wang

Jill Risley, Allyn Risley

Michelle Papenfuss, John Warren, Mo Lovett Warren, Edwin Jhamal Davis, Jill Risley, Allyn Risley

Nicole Walters

Stephanie Weber, Paul Muri

Stephen Le, Tiffany Le, Elaine Zhang

Tate Stai, Sarah Stai, Emerson Stai, Aaron Stai, Harlan Stai

People + Places
promoted

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Owner Maricela Olivo and Montrose Med Spa

WHAT MAKES MONTROSE Med Spa stand apart from the competition? We set ourselves apart from the competition by being consistently focused on one thing: the patient. With that focus, we will succeed in a successful and healthy experience and loyalty to Montrose Med Spa. Staying true to our message of intentional wellness is a point of difference where I see other spas being unclear and distracted in their direction. By listening to our patients, we ensure we meet and exceed their expectations. We continually stay on top of the market by offering the best innovative body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth to the body. We also utilize a number of marketing programs to stay on the minds of our guests, including radio, TV, direct mail, email blasts, and unique invitations for exclusive treatments. One element that helps to establish the bar and sets us apart from our competition is our emphasis on providing a complete medical gym experience—from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual by our certified staff. We also provide a noninvasive, pain-free, and needle-free facelift through EMFace in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships that create a commitment to the overall wellbeing of the patient.

Keep Reading Show less
parties

With First-Pitch Opp and Playoff Tickets Up for Grabs, HelpCureHD Gala Knocks It Out of the Park

Kat Pressly and Reagan Bregman

FORMER ASTROS PITCHER and current coach Joe Smith, along with his sportscaster wife Allie LaForce, hosted a gala at Minute Maid Park's Union Station in an effort to raise funds and awareness of Huntington’s Disease, which took the life of Smith’s mother in 2020.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places
real estate

Here's Who Is Buying the Most Houses in Houston Now

MORTGAGE RATES ARE high. So is the cost of living. Life milestones are coming later. The reasons that millennials are, according to society, "behind" previous generations when it comes to home ownership are finally crystal clear (and they have nothing to do with avocado toast, thankyouverymuch). But what do the statistics say about home-buying in Houston?

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate