UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts is pleased to announce the 2023-24 Marculescu-Stern Scholarship Competition for voice students. The scholarship endowment was established through a gift to the UWM Foundation to honor the memory of Yolanda Marculescu-Stern, and the intentions of Sandu Stern, to support programming and scholarships, especially those in vocal arts.

Judges Panel

$5,000 worth of scholarships will be distributed at the discretion of our esteemed 2023-24 judging panel
Melissa Foster, UWM Voice Artist-in-Residence
Jason Abrams, Artistic Administrator of The Florentine Opera

About Yolanda Marculescu-Stern

Yolanda Marculescu-Stern, leading soprano at the Bucharest Opera House from 1949-1968, achieved international renown for her outstanding contributions in the vocal arts as a consummate performer, respected interpreter, and voice teacher. Critics recognized her as one of the contemporary stars of the art of singing. She is acclaimed for her refined musicianship, intelligent interpretations, sensitivity, and flawless technique. Her recordings in the U.S. and abroad have unequivocally placed her among the great vocal interpreters of our time. Professor Marculescu-Stern joined the Peck School of the Arts faculty of UWM in 1974 and during that time was Chairperson of the Voice Committee, Director of the Opera Workshop, and founder of the International Festival of the Art Song, which was held biennially at UWM from 1981-1992. In 1991, Marculescu-Stern received UWM’s Distinguished Teaching Award and in 1992 she was honored with a Milwaukee Civic Music Association Award. She retired from her UWM professorship in June 1992.