2014 Pioneer graduate Sam Kidd shines as national finalist in Metropolitan Opera competion

Only nine singers from a pool of 1,500 were selected as finalists at the March 16 competition in New York City

Samuel Kidd, a 2014 Pioneer High School’s choral program graduate under Steve Lorenz, has achieved a remarkable milestone in his operatic career. Kidd was recently named a National Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Laffont Competition.

The competition, known for launching the careers of many of today’s leading opera performers, involves three increasingly selective rounds: Districts, Regionals, and Semi-Finals. The Semi-Finals bring twenty singers to perform on the Metropolitan Opera stage in New York City. From an initial pool of 1,500 singers nationwide, only nine advanced to become finalists—with Kidd among this elite group.

Currently, Kidd serves as an Adler Fellow young artist with the San Francisco Opera, where he lives and works full-time. His recent performances include the role of Papageno in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” with Opera Naples. This June, he will debut as Schaunard in Puccini’s “La Boheme” with the San Francisco Opera.

Music runs in the family. His mother, Bonnie Kidd, taught choirs at Tappan and Huron for more than 28 years. She says she and her husband, Bob, are immensely proud of their son’s accomplishments.

Though Kidd did not win the final round, his mother shared that he performed exceptionally well.

“He filled the house with his sound and that was amazing,” she said. “Forever he is now a 2025 MET Laffont Competition National Finalist. Truly so many would love to be able to have that on their resumes. Sam feels great about how he sang and he truly crushed it.”

Pioneer Director of Choirs Steve Lorenz recalls that Sam Kidd was a freshman in the A Cappella Choir when he came to Pioneer in September 2010, and is the only freshman to do so in his 15 years.
“He was already very advanced, vocally, for his age, and displayed very strong musicians,”says Lorenz.  “Sam had the uncanny ability to always take his music seriously, without taking himself too seriously.  While at Pioneer, Sam performed in the A Cappella Choir, Choraliers, a student-led a cappella group, Desperate Measures, and participated in the Honors Choir and Solo & Ensemble Festival.”
Kidd’s individual accomplishments and contributions to the success of the Pioneer Choirs were tremendous, says Lorenz, who notes that:

• Two years in a row, he and soprano Hannah Hesseltine ’14 performed a duet at State Solo & Ensemble.  Each year, they were selected as the top small ensemble at their site, and chosen to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  They were recognized as one of the top four small ensembles, state-wide, in consecutive years.
• As a senior, Sam was selected as the top soloist in his room at State Solo & Ensemble – South Site, one of the top 13 soloists, state-wide, and chosen to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.  He then competed against the top 13 soloists, state-wide, and was selected as the top soloist in the state, and chosen to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Gala Concert as part of the concerto soloists portion of the program.
• For three years in a row, during his sophomore, junior, and senior years, the Choraliers were recognized as one of the top thirteen large ensembles, state-wide, and selected to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Outstanding Solo & Ensemble Recital.
• During his senior year, the A Cappella Choir was selected by a blind listening panel as one of two MSVMA Outstanding Choirs from across the state, chosen to perform at the MYAF Gala Concert.  This is the highest recognition achievable in the state of Michigan.

“Sam was a joy to teach,” says Lorenz, “and it is wonderful to celebrate his continued artistic accomplishments!”