Baylor Soprano Wins National Competition

Soprano Lynda Keith McKnight, assistant professor of vocal studies at Baylor University, has been selected as the first-place winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award for 1996. This prestigious competition attracts hundreds of entrants throughout the country and abroad. Contestants participated in competitions on the local and regional levels in November before being invited to the national semi-finals, which were held in St. Louis, MO, on Dec. 27, at the organization's biennial national convention.
McKnight, accompanied at the keyboard by Roger Keyes, professor of piano, was chosen one of six national finalists. She was given top honors in the final round of competition. The award carries a monetary prize, several significant engagements, including appearances in Carnegie Hall and at the next national convention in Toronto, and an educational fund. Judges included several well-known teachers from the organization and a number of prominent professional singers.
McKnight made her stage debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1991 in the world premiere of John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles, which has been released on laser disc, video and compact disc. She has performed extensively throughout the United States in both concert and operatic venues. A 1988 winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, she was featured in Opera News magazine's annual "Keep Your Eye On..." article, which showcases the brightest young talent in the field. In addition to the NATS awards, she has taken top place in the WGN/Illinois Opera Guild and National Federation of Music Clubs national competitions, and has been awarded prizes in competitions of the San Francisco Opera Center, D'Angelo Awards, Opera Columbus and National Opera Association.
Among McKnight's upcoming engagements are a series of performances in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, recitals in Toronto and Austin and an appearance with the Shreveport Opera. She has taught at Baylor since 1993.