Filipino countertenor Kyle Tingzon took home the First Prize honor at the 8th annual Handel Aria Competition on Aug. 20, 2021 in Wisconsin, US. He wowed the audience in Grace Episcopal Church and bested six other finalists in the contest by superbly singing "O Sacred Oracle Of Truth" from "Belshazzar," an oratorio by George Frideric Handel.
Prior to becoming a champion internationally, Kyle first performed in the Philippines as a soloist at the International Bamboo Organ Festival in Las Piñas City. From there, he went on to become a street singer and a soloist in Singapore, and later on performed at the Svenska Kyrkans Gosskörsförening male choir festival in Sweden, according to CS Music. Last year, he took home the third prize spot at the Rochester International Vocal Competition in New York.
Kyle has a bachelor's degree in management from Ateneo de Manila University and honed his vocal prowess and choral conducting skill in University of the Philippines' College of Music. Currently, he is taking up a master's degree for music in vocal performance at San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of César Ulloa.
With a mission to introduce emerging singers to the repertoire of the German-British composer, the Handel Aria Competition is a yearly event that celebrates Handel's extensive vocal mastery through great performances by singers from around the globe.
Watch Kyle's performance below.