New York District

The Laffont Competition Eastern Region is a volunteer-based organization. As both a District and a Region, we are responsible for raising all the funds necessary to hold the District Auditions and the Region Finals. This includes rental of an audition space and pianist, as well as the prize money awarded to the winners. The Metropolitan Opera then organizes and funds the last two rounds of the competition.

We want to give our singers the best possible chances when competing, and this means holding the auditions at a concert hall like Merkin. We also like to provide our singers with great pianists and knowledgeable judges who can provide valuable feedback.

Laffont Competition Eastern Region is a 501(c)3, so all donations are tax-deductible up to the extent allowed by law.

The Met’s Laffont Competition—previously known as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions—is designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers and is sponsored by hundreds of donors and volunteers from across North and South America. Some of today’s greatest singers got their starts in the competition, including Jamie Barton, Stephanie Blythe, Lawrence Brownlee, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Emily D’Angelo, Michael Fabiano, Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Ryan Speedo Green, Lisette Oropesa, Eric Owens, and Nadine Sierra.