the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Maeve Cunningham, a talented soprano and Ridgewood High School senior, has officially committed to The Juilliard School in Manhattan, where she will begin studying this fall in pursuit of a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (Classical Voice). A graduate of the RHS Class of 2025, Maeve has already built an impressive resume, balancing honors, performances, and national competitions this spring.
Maeve’s Academic and Musical Journey to Juilliard
Maeve recently graduated from Juilliard’s Pre-College Division, having attended classes every Saturday for the past two years. Her graduation recital took place on May 10 at Juilliard’s Paul Hall in Lincoln Center, where she performed an advanced repertoire spanning multiple languages and styles:
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Bellini – “Per pietà, bell’idol mio”
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Handel – “Va godendo” from Serse
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Hahn – “Si mes vers avaient des ailes”
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Duparc – “Chanson triste”
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Torroba – “Cállate, corazón” from Luisa Fernanda
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Strauss II – “Mein Herr Marquis” from Die Fledermaus
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Amy Beach – Three Browning Songs, Op. 44
📷 View event details and recital program
Local Honors and Community Performances
Maeve’s musical talents were also recognized by local arts organizations this spring. She was honored by the Ridgewood Art Foundation (RAF) and the Ridgewood Singers, and performed as a featured guest at their respective spring events:
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On April 4, Maeve sang at the RAF Honors Showcase at the Unitarian Society Church on Cottage Place.
📸 View highlights on Instagram -
On May 4, Maeve performed two stunning art songs — “Chanson triste” (Duparc) and “I send my heart up to thee” (Beach) — at the Ridgewood Singers’ Spring Concert, where she was also celebrated as the recipient of the 2025 Thomas DeLorenzo Scholarship.
A Standout Finalist at Schmidt Vocal Arts High School Nationals
Over Memorial Day weekend, Maeve competed in the 2025 Schmidt Vocal Arts (SVA) High School Nationals at the prestigious Sarasota Opera House in Florida.
Maeve earned her spot as a Semifinalist after placing second in the SVA Pennsylvania Regional Competition in Philadelphia (November 2024), just behind eventual Nationals winner Savannah Weldon.
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On Saturday, May 31, Maeve advanced through the Semifinals.
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On Sunday, June 1, she performed in the Finals as one of just sixteen national Finalists selected from nearly fifty top high school vocalists in the U.S.
Though Maeve replicated her Finalist status from 2024, she distinguished herself in one of the most competitive years to date. For her performance, she earned a $650 cash prize and additional awards.
🎭 Learn more about the competition
🎟️ Explore the Sarasota Opera House
A Spring to Remember for Maeve Cunningham
From local accolades to Juilliard graduation and a return to the SVA national stage, Maeve’s spring 2025 season was nothing short of extraordinary. With her Juilliard undergraduate journey just beginning, her musical future looks exceptionally bright.
Stay tuned as Ridgewood’s own rising star continues to make her mark in the world of classical vocal performance.
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Bella Maeve, ogni tua nota cantata è attesa con impazienza e, quando finalmente arriva, non manca di portarci gioia, e grande piacere!
Highlights of The Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors Gala on April 4th (short video, very well done!):
https://www.instagram.com/ridgewoodartsfoundation/reel/DIF_4Q4AtK4/
Did The Ridgewood Singers record Maeve’s performance at their May 4th Spring Concert?
Enthusiastic review of Maeve in competition in Sarasota this year, posted to Instagram by peer SVA High School Nationals singer, and fall 2025 Oberlin Conservatory commit, Simonswai21:
“WOAH like performance was literally Mother Nature incarnate like WOAH 🤯”