Veronica Siebert Wins Heafner-Williams Vocal Competition

Carolyn Heafner Williams' legacy is a classic 'local girl makes good' story. The Lincolnton native became an internationally known singer, but her greatest thrill has been in passing along opportunities for others to develop their talent. She and husband Robert, who passed in February at age 97, founded the Heafner-Williams Vocal Competition, the 19th of which was held this past weekend at the Lincoln Cultural Center.

Carolyn began her international opera career as a Scholarship Award Winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s National Auditions, which took her to New York as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Studio. Over her career, she performed with the Santa Fe Opera, the Opera Theater of Northern Virginia, and the Lake George Opera among many others in the United States, and for five years sang leading roles at the Bremen Opera Company in Germany, with guest performances throughout Europe.

Equally distinguished is her career as a soloist. She was recognized by both the Poetry and Music Divisions of the Library of Congress for her program, THE POETESS SINGS – A Tribute to Emily Dickinson, which was broadcast nationally by PBS.

Robert was born in Kansas City and after serving in the US Navy after graduating from high school, attended the University of Kansas and the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He also sang in the Regional Finals of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, which encouraged him to move to New York City, where he quickly earned a contract as a leading tenor with the New York City Opera.

He toured in New Zealand and in the US, performed with the Toledo Opera, the Boston Arts Festival, the St. Louis Festival Opera, the Kansas City Lyric Theater, the New York Grand Opera, and the New Jersey Opera. During his distinguished European career, he sang leading opera roles in Germany.

As a duo, the couple performed TOGETHER WITH MUSIC – a Broadway Retrospective spanning a time period of composers of more than a century.

Early this century, Carolyn and Robert decided to create the Heafner-Williams Vocal Competition, bringing to Carolyn's hometown a nationally recognized event that seeks to identify and nurture talented vocalists in the early stages of their careers.

Having won many contests and scholarships, the couple understood how such encouragements not only help financially, but give a boost to the spirit, letting competitors know that their talent is appreciated and awarded.

The first prize winner of the annual competition receives $2,500; second prize is $1,500; third prize is $750; and each additional finalist receives $250--but far more important is the recognition that comes from doing well in the acclaimed event.

For years, Robert and Carolyn maintained a residence in New York City as well as one in Lincolnton, but already 'home' for Carolyn, Lincolnton also became the same for Robert. In addition to his professional appearances over the years, he also sang with the First United Methodist Church choir until he was 92. Carolyn said when we interviewed her and Robert several years ago that she had enjoyed her own success but is even happier that she and Robert could bring opportunity to aspiring vocalists.

The first Heafner-Williams Vocal Competition was held in 2002 and it was held annually through 2019. The COVID pandemic put it on hold for two years and it returned last year.

Veronica Siebert, a mezzo-soprano from Winston-Salem, was the  winner at  the 2023 event, held Saturday & Sunday (March 25th & 26th) at the Lincoln Cultural Center.

Veronica graduated from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, last year. She previously attended the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Second prize went to Amber Rose Romero, who currently runs the Romero Voice Studio in Charlotte. Ms. Romero got her bachelor's degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a master's degree from UNC-Greensboro.

The third place winner was baritone Kevin Spooner.

photos courtesy of Kirk Herbertson