NOW AVAILABLE
Chicago's Next Top Diva Tickets
Get your audience tickets and get ready for a highly entertaining evening of song!
Chicago's Next Top Diva
As an exciting addition to our 2nd season’s lineup of events, Great Lakes Operetta is thrilled to announce a very special event, presented in partnership with Chicago City Opera and The Valkyrie Ensemble, coming to Chicago this December:
Chicago’s Next Top Diva
8 Contestants.
3 Rounds.
1 Diva.
Round 1: Singers give a performance of their choice. Four singers move to round two.
Round 2: Singers compete head-to-head. Only two move to the final round.
Round 3: Two singers compete to be Chicago’s Next Top Diva!
Presented and adjudicated by Chicago City Opera, Valkyrie Ensemble, and Great Lakes Operetta.
Congratulations to
Chicago's Top Diva 2025 - Rodell Rosel
Runner-Up Diva 2025 - Hayley Fox
2nd Round Divas -
Marissa Howard,
Solamada Pando Girard
1st Round Divas -
Val Beck, Mary Buckingham, Rory Hyunkyung Eo, Samantha McGonigal
Thank you
to all our fabulous Divas
(including our Alternate Diva, Isabella Daltosa)!
Chicago's Next Top Diva 2025:
Val Beck
Mary Buckingham
Rory Hyunkyung Eo
Hayley Fox
Marissa Howard
Samantha McGonigal
Solamada Pando Girard
Rodell Rosel
(Isabella Daltoso - Alternate)
with
Beck Buechel - MC
Jordan Crice - Collaborative Pianist
Alexis Enyart - Judge (Chicago City Opera)
SarahAnn Sutter - Judge (Great Lakes Operetta)
Marnie Baylouny - Judge (The Valkyrie Ensemble)
Photography: Kelsey Enyart
Front of House Team: Kristin Weed, Alannah Spencer, Isabel Schmitz
Audiences enjoyed show-stopping arias from the standard opera rep, dazzlingly creative songs from contemporary operas, sparkling operetta tunes, and glorious operatic hidden gems...all presented with extra-special Divalicious flair and pizzazz!
We are grateful to everyone who braved the frigid Chicago temperatures to support both our fabulous singers and not one but three Chicago opera companies! Thank you for making our first three-way collaborative event a success!
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro
Irving Park/North Center
Chicago, Illinois
- Sunday, December 7th — 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Diva Submissions
Apply by November 9th to be chosen as a contestant on Chicago’s Next Top Diva!
We’re looking for Opera/Oratorio/Art Song/Operetta submissions with a Divalicious twist. Gimmicks, sparkles, etc. are all welcome and encouraged. Come ready to SLAY! 8 contestants, plus two alternate/standby performers, will be selected.
The winning Diva will receive a crown and 70% of the event’s profit. Our runner-up Diva will receive 30% of the event’s profit.
There will be one judge from each presenting company (Chicago City Opera, Valkyrie Ensemble, Great Lakes Operetta).