Russell Wustenberg Finalist in International Vocal Competition

Russell Wustenberg, 21, a baritone vocal performance major at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, competed in the Grand Concours de Chant 2012, an international vocal competition, as a Top 10 Finalist on Sunday. Finalists were chosen from 250 entries nationwide.

The competition is co-sponsored by the Franco-American Vocal Academy at the University of Texas with the French Embassy and the Consulate General of France, located in Houston, TX, to discover and support promising talented young singers who seek to further their skills through the study and performance of French Art Song, French Opera, and Operetta. It is designed to reward the most accomplished and promising artists in the repertoire.

Wustenberg, a 2009 graduate of and former voice student of Dr. Robert Scholz, studies with Peter Halverson and sings in the Concordia Concert Choir, which is currently on tour in the western United States. He is also employed by Fargo-Moorhead Opera, where he will perform in “Fidelio” in April.

Ten finalists aged 18 to 23 competed Sunday and all received cash prizes and travel stipends.

Wustenberg is the son of Dr. William and Wendy Wustenberg of Farmington, MN