Filipina singer wins first prize at prestigious 2026 Washington International Competition
Philstar Life
30 May 2026
Filipina mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariposa earned the top prize of the 2026 Washington International Competition for Voice.
The Friday Morning Music Club Foundation announced on its website that Mariposa placed first in the tilt, winning $10,000 (over P615,000) in cash.
Mariposa performed five songs for the contest, including Duparc's L’invitation au voyage, Antonino Buenaventura’s Ako’y Nangangarap, Richard Strauss’ Wie du warst!, Mozart’s Parto, ma tu ben mio, and Ricky Ian Gordon's Open All Night.
In a Facebook post, the Cultural Center of the Philippines congratulated Mariposa, calling her feat a "well-deserved recognition" of her artistry.
Per the FMMC Foundation, the competition included 16 exceptional young singers from around the world, ages 18–32, who were selected through a competitive preliminary process, performing a wide-ranging repertoire of opera, art song, and contemporary works before an esteemed jury of internationally acclaimed artists Tony Arnold, Nicholas Phan, and Karen Slack.
The Washington International Competition is presented by the FMMC Foundation and is now in its 77th year. It has helped launch the careers of distinguished musicians. Competition winners are eligible for performance awards of solo appearance opportunities in the US.
Mariposa is among a new generation of Filipino artists gaining international recognition. She is praised for her “rich, powerful mezzo” by Parterre Box, a New York City–based online opera magazine.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Philippines, graduating summa cum laude. She then completed a second bachelor’s degree in Voice at UP and finished summa cum laude before earning a master’s degree in Voice and Opera Performance from Northwestern University in Illinois, US, with high honors.
The Pinay singer was also the grand finals winner of the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. She's currently a Cafritz Young Artist with the Washington National Opera.
Dream come true
In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Mariposa shared why the 2026 Washington International Competition for Voice was one she'll never forget.
"It was one of the most memorable competitions I’ve done," she said.
"Leading up to it, I was so tired, coming from back-to-back-to-back work since March, where I was traveling a lot and singing a show or an audition every week. So I was actually debating withdrawing from the competition, because the night before the semifinals, I was closing a show, and the Monday after the finals, I had to leave for my summer gig," recalled Mariposa. "But I decided to push through, and I’m glad I did. It was just one of those moments where, once you perform, whatever tiredness or nervousness disappears as you find yourself immersed in the text, music, and theater that you’re performing."
The singer said she's "extra proud of myself for not giving up despite the packed schedule and the doubts."
According to Mariposa, she's set to perform at the Glimmerglass Festival, where she's singing Suzuki in Madama Butterfly and Dorabella in Così fan tutte.
She will then return to the Philippines for the Manila Symphony Orchestra's concert, where she will be singing scenes from Carmen and kundiman.
After her PH show, she will go back to Washington, DC to sing Suzuki as a guest principal artist with the Washington National Opera.
"I’m very thankful to be singing a lot," she told L!fe, "and it truly is a dream come true earning a living through music."
