Meet the Reviewers
One of the exciting and unique features of the Radda Rise International Vocal Competition and Achievement Festival is the opportunity to improve your performances as part of the experience.
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Every competition applicant will receive a video review of their competition recordings before the judging round. After receiving the video review and learning from one of the Reviewers below, applicants have the option to resubmit new recordings for the judging round.
Be sure to apply early to take advantage of this exciting feature!
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The Radda Rise Voice Achievement Festival is a unique opportunity for vocalists of all ages and skill levels to learn and challenge themselves to improve their performances. Rather than competing against other musicians, Achievement Festival participants will submit their initial recording(s) for feedback from a Radda Reviewer. After receiving this feedback, participants will “compete” against their initial performances and strive to improve over the course of 6 weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks, participants will submit their second round of recordings to receive additional comments, awards, recognition, and an official evaluation on their overall performance and improvement between rounds from their Reviewer.
Michelle ShanShan Ding
Language: English
Michelle ShanShan Ding is a versatile soprano-pianist with a passion for both performance and community engagement. She has been a guest artist at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival for the past three years, showcasing roles such as Ottavia in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Jack’s Mom in Into the Woods, and Public Opinion in Offenbach’s Orphée aux Enfers. Michelle’s professional journey also includes performances in Detroit Opera’s Aida in Concert (2022) and a collaborative Madama Butterfly production with Detroit, Pittsfield, and Cincinnati Operas in 2023.
In addition to her performance career, Michelle is the soprano soloist and children’s choir director at the historic First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, a 200-year-old institution with a rich musical legacy. Michelle’s academic credentials include a Master’s in Vocal Performance (2020) and a Doctorate in Piano Performance (2019). She is a Charles Fisher Scholarship recipient, with a Master’s in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan (2016) and a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from California Institute of the Arts, supported by the Early Music Scholarship and Colburn Foundation Scholarship.
Outside of music, Michelle is deeply involved in community service, serving on several boards, including the Ann Arbor Piano Teacher Guild and Burns Park Players, and as the president-elect of the Burns Park Elementary PTO. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her six parrots.
David Mejía Jr.
Languages: English and Spanish
David is a current Master’s student in Voice Performance at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. He is originally from Brownsville, Texas, and received his BM in Vocal Performance at The University of Texas at Arlington. He is a frequent soloist for major work performances across Texas and the US for Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. David recently performed in February at Lincoln Center in New York City for the American Pops Orchestra and placed 2nd male vocalist in the nation. He is the current 1st place winner and won in San Diego, California for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) CL-10 TBB voice category for MM, DMA, and AD. David is also the current graduate teaching assistant for TCU Opera, as well as employed with The Dallas Opera as a part of their Education and Outreach program to make opera accessible to all.
Debbie Seitter
Language: English
Debbie Seitter is a DMA graduate assistant in the Choral Conducting program at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She serves as the assistant conductor for the TCU Concert Chorale and Frog Corps ensembles. She taught choral music for 10 years at the middle and high school levels and currently serves as the Choir Director for the Chancel Choir at City Point UMC in North Richland Hills. In 2013, Debbie received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University, graduating summa cum laude, and she received her Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University in 2020, graduating summa cum laude. She is honored to have been an adjudicator and guest clinician at several contests and region/honor choirs, as well as a session presenter at the TMEA and TCDA conventions. For six years, Debbie sang as a section leader at Highland Park UMC and recently performed as a soloist with the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra. She is a member of ACDA, TMEA, TCDA, and TMAA, and enjoys spending free time with her family and friends!
Sydney Palomo
Language: English
Sydney is a two-time graduate of Texas Christian University, earning a Bachelor of Music Education in 2022 and a Master of Music with a concentration in Vocal Pedagogy in 2024. During her academic journey, she embraced numerous performance and academic opportunities that deepened her understanding of music education and its vital role in society. A passionate advocate for social justice, mental health, and vocal wellness, Sydney views music as a powerful tool for self-expression and a means to communicate and promote meaningful social messages. She is committed to using music as a force for positive change in the world.