After months of lessons and rehearsal, Jennifer Zebrowski’s love of singing has led her to the winner’s circle.

The Rapid City Central High School senior won the 23rd Annual Clare and Josef Meier Young Vocal Artist Competition on Saturday.

Zebrowski was one of about a dozen vocalists who sang for judges Katrina Zook of the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo., Emily Wood Toronto of South Dakota State University in Brookings and Tracelyn Gesteland of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

“I loved singing and began taking voice lessons,” Zebrowski said. “It inspired me, and I decided to make Young Vocal Artist a goal.”

Zebrowski has been part of the Rapid City Children’s Choir, her church choir and a regional choir at her high school. Although her morning performance was stress-free, her anxiety hit after lunch.

“I’m not one for stage fright, but I’m really nervous about the award,” she said.

Voice coach Michelle Feiszli of Rapid City, who has had students enter the contest every year, said that every voice student is at varying degrees of development.

“Today is a snapshot,” she said of the contestants. “A lot of things have to come together to make that perfect performance.”

Sean Sterling, a senior at Stevens High School, and Angie Anagnostopulas, a Central sophomore, placed second and third, respectively; they will join Zebrowski in performances with the Dakota Choral Union on April 25. They received scholarships of $500, $200 and $100, respectively. Zebrowski will be also be a featured soloist at a Black Hills Chamber Music Society concert and has won tuition for the Vocal Arts and Opera Theater summer program in Spearfish.

For Anagnostopulas, who has been in the Rapid City Children’s Chorus and Central’s concert choir, this was her first competition. She combated butterflies, but the sophomore wasn’t going to let stage fright ruin her singing.

“There’s weeks of preparation behind me that went into this competition,” she said.

Sterling’s performance made the most of his five years of voice lessons and coaching. The bass used his three-octave range to his best advantage, choosing to sing works by Scarlatti, Gabriel Faure and Franz Schubert.

“It’s one thing to sing in a practice room with an accompanist. It’s another to sing in front of a congregation,” he said.

It was his fourth appearance at the contest.

“It’s been a long road, but tons of fun,” he said.

Johanna Meier, who founded the contest, thanked the participants for their interest and achievements.

“It’s very important that there is a nucleus of young voices to take on the role of chorus and church choirs within the community,” Meier said.

Zook, too, appreciated all 10 performances at the competition.

“A lot of time, effort and thought were put into their performances. It shows the health and strength of the arts in this region,” Zook said.

Feiszli said Zebrowski’s voice was in great shape.

“The judges liked what they heard,” she said.

“We’ve been working on this since September. I tried to focus on doing my best and performing the song,” Zebrowski said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.