Williams SING-OFF Competition
Do you have the voice of the year? Singers in grades 6 - 12 whose video-auditions edge out the competition will be named finalists in the 2022-2023 Williams SING-OFF Competition and evaluated by Special Guest Judge Nick Cortazzo!
Following in the footsteps of Gabby Barrett, Trinity Wiseman, Dejah Monea, and others, this year’s winner will perform live in the Cultural District at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2023, plus earn a $500 cash prize and $1,000 school music department donation.
2022-2023 Williams SING-OFF Competition Winner
Announcing the 2022-2023 Williams SING-OFF Winner — Madelyn Buffone! Madelyn is a senior at Marion Center High School in Indiana County, PA. Madelyn has had an ongoing passion for musical theater and singing ever since she was little. She has been in numerous community musical productions over the course of 11 years — her favorite was playing Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera at her school. After high school, she is hoping to pursue a degree in musical theater and perform.
Madelyn will give the opening performance at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, followed by a short performance by this year's special guest judge Nick Cortazzo, HAIRSPRAY's Link Larkin.
Prizes & Opportunities
The 2022-2023 Williams SING-OFF Competition winner will receive:
- Live performance opportunity in the Cultural District on New Year’s Eve
- $500 cash prize
- $1,000 cash donation to school’s music department
- Invitation to participate in the parade at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh (all finalists)
- Incredible exposure in the Pittsburgh market via media promotion associated with event marketing and public relations efforts
Eligibility
Individual students or student groups of 20 or fewer, grades 6-12 affiliated with a middle or high school within 150 miles of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are eligible to enter.
Auditions
Video auditions are now being accepted! The deadline to submit your video audition is Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 11:59 PM.
Special Guest Judge Nick Cortazzo
Currently performing as Link Larkin in the National Tour of Hairspray
NICK CORTAZZO is a Pittsburgh native and New York transplant. Regional credits include: Hairspray, Kinky Boots, The Wizard of Oz, and A Musical Christmas Carol (Pittsburgh CLO); Sister Act (Kansas City Starlight); Grease and Catch Me If You Can (New London Barn Playhouse); and Joseph in Joseph…Dreamcoat. Baldwin Wallace Music Theater Class of ‘21. @ncortazzo
Past Winners
2021-2022 Winner: Lindsay Liebro | Hampton High School
2020-2021 Winner: Gracie Metheny | Elkins High School
2019-2020 Winner: Lavanya Anantharaman | Franklin Regional High School
2018-2019 Winner: Audrey Logan | South Fayette High School
2017-2018 Winner: Trinity Wiseman | Elizabeth Forward High School
2016-2017 Winner: Dejah Monea | Pittsburgh CAPA School
2015-2016 Winner: Addison Albert & Colin Aikins | Central Catholic & Knoch High Schools
2014-2015 Winner: Gabby Barrett | Serra Catholic High School
2013-2014 Winner: Savannah Wiggins | Penn Hills High School
2012-2013 Winner: Alyssa Gephart | Thomas Jefferson High School
2011-2012 Winner: Katie Zemaitis | Harrison Middle School (Baldwin-Whitehall)
2010-2011 Winner: Nicoletta Giacchino | Franklin Regional High School
Williams: We make energy happen.
For more than a century, Williams has been safely building and operating pipelines and facilities to bring natural gas from where it’s produced to where it’s consumed. We’ve invested billions in the Northeast, supporting local communities and creating high-quality jobs. At Williams, our mission has never been more important. We enable our customers, investors, employees, and communities to maximize the opportunities created by the vastly greater supply of natural gas and natural gas products.
Involvement in the communities where we live and work is at the heart of Williams. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s mission helps us fulfill our commitment by offering great artistic and educational experiences across the Pittsburgh region in their efforts to bring the arts to diverse audiences. Good luck to all SING-OFF contestants!