Philadelphians sweep vocal awards

Philadelphia singers swept the top three awards at the 32nd Loren L. Zachary Society National Vocal Competition finals Sunday at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. A total of $48,200 was awarded to the 10 finalists.

Philadelphia soprano Latonia Moore won the $10,000 first prize. Tenor James Valenti took the $9,000 second prize. Tenor Dongwon Shin won the $8,000 third prize.

Bass Andrew Gangestad from New York broke the City of Brotherly Love’s streak, winning the $7,000 fourth-place prize. Los Angeles baritone Zeffin Quinn Hollis won the fifth prize of $6,000, plus a round-trip airline ticket to Europe for auditions.

An encouragement award of $4,200 was given to 23-year-old soprano Jessica Julin, who is studying at Indiana University.

Each of the remaining finalists -- Yana Eminova, Marnie Breckenridge, Sonia Gariaeff and Rodell Rosel -- was awarded $1,000.