Since 1993, the Igor Gorin Memorial Award has helped promising young vocalists take the next step in their operatic careers. Established through the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona in honor of renowned tenor Igor Gorin, the award provides flexible funding for expenses such as coaching, travel, auditions, and living costs, helping talented artists focus on building successful careers.
Awards for Emerging Vocalists
Supporting the Next Generation of Opera Talent
About
Igor Gorin
Mr. Gorin was a Ukrainian refugee who escaped to Vienna in the late 1920s before immigrating to the United States. His star began to rise as a member of the Czechoslovakian Opera Company. Later, he was invited to the United States by a synagogue in Providence, Rhode Island, where he assumed cantorial duties. This began a spectacular career in radio, film, stage, and television.
Earning a reputation as the “Prince of Baritones,” Igor Gorin’s career spanned the 1930’s through the 1960’s. During WWII, he gave more of his time and talent entertaining the troops than anyone in Hollywood. He had a personal motivation, as his father, brother, and sister were in Auschwitz, and Igor desperately wanted to see them freed. Singing to the troops, he later said, was his way of saying “thank you.”
Igor and Mary Gorin retired to Tucson in 1965. Before long, the University of Arizona President Richard Harvill invited Igor to begin a second career teaching opera at the university. In working with the next generation of voices, Igor was reminded of his early struggles to survive and launch his career.
Application Information
Applicant Criteria
To apply for the Igor Gorin Memorial Award, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Finalists and/or Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Western Region DISTRICT Auditions held in Arizona, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco between 2021 and 2025.
- Current students and Alumni of the Merola Opera Program or an Adler Fellow of the San Francisco Opera Center between 2021 and 2025.
- Current students and Alumni of the LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program between 2021 and 2025.
- Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artists Program at the Arizona Opera.
- Applicants must not be under contract or under management
Important Dates
Applications open: October 6th, 2025.
Applications due: January 9th, 2026 by 5:00 pm MST. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Apply
Candidates must submit the following to be considered for the Igor Gorin Memorial Award:
- A completed online application, which includes the following:
- A high quality You Tube video (or videos) of the applicant. The recording must meet the following requirements to be considered by the adjudication panel:
-
- One contrasting brief arias with piano accompaniment only.
- The performances should be within the last 12 months.
- Performances must be in studio. Stage performances will not be accepted.
- The total running time for the aria must not exceed 5 minutes.
- Arias from common/known repertoire preferred (Puccini,Wagner,Mozart,Etc..)
- Submit you current resume or CV in PDF format, including the following:
-
- Education History
- Recent operatic roles (year performed, role/opera, language, company, city)
- Other operatic roles
- Other facts you consider pertinent (awards, etc.) and dates
- Headshot and permission for the Community Foundation to use the photograph you provide.
The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona has moved to a new and improved grant portal! To apply, all applicants must create a new account on the portal. Accounts can be created at any time, but applications will not be available until October 6, 2025.
Honoring a Lasting Legacy
Creating Opportunities for Aspiring Vocalists
Remembering the challenges he faced early in his career, Igor Gorin's family established this award at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to honor his legacy by creating opportunities for aspiring vocalists.