Vocal Performance Major Caitlyn Babcock ’25 Awarded by the Presser Foundation
Caitlyn Babcock '25 Selected as 2025 Presser Scholar at Pacific Lutheran University
Image: Mezzo soprano Caitlyn Babock performs during the fourth annual Angela Meade Vocal Competition, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in the Mary Baker Russell Music Center at PLU. Babcock took first place in the competition, with a $2,000 cash prize and a $1,000 travel stipend to see one of Meade’s performances. (PLU Photo / Sy Bean)
Pacific Lutheran University is proud to announce that Caitlyn Babcock is the recipient of The Presser Foundation’s 2024-25 Undergraduate Scholar Award. The award is designed to encourage and support the education of a music student who has achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributed to an inclusive community.
Caitlyn Babcock is from Puyallup, Washington, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a minor in Dance. Caitlyn enjoys the storytelling and collaborative nature of opera, appreciating PLU Opera for fostering close faculty connections. In November, Caitlyn was awarded first place in the Angela Meade Vocal Competition, which included the opportunity to attend Angela Meade’s performance in Lucrezia Borgia in Munich, Germany.
Currently auditioning for graduate programs, Caitlyn hopes to eventually become a college professor, inspired by the connections and community she’s built at PLU, with a passion for teaching, mentoring, and directing opera. With the funds from this award, Caitlyn plans to strengthen her skills and pursue performance opportunities in summer training programs and festivals.
“We are so very proud of Caitlyn’s work and accomplishments at PLU. She exemplifies everything that the Presser Award honors, and the Music Faculty were delighted to nominate her for this award,” said Dr. Brian Galante, Associate Dean School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
In response to receiving this award, Caitlyn said, “I am deeply grateful, and beyond excited to receive this award. To have an organization that is dedicated to supporting students through leadership and community within their schools is more important than ever, and I think continuing to develop relationships among our fellow musicians is the key to our vocation.”
About The Presser Foundation: The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the will of the late Theodore Presser. It is one of the few private foundations in the United States dedicated solely to music education and music philanthropy. Mr. Presser taught at many undergraduate and graduate music institutions. To honor his commitment to music education, undergraduate music programs at selected colleges, universities and independent institutions of higher education are given the opportunity to present the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, which recognizes the accomplishments and contribution of a music major in their final year of undergraduate study. The Foundation is committed to equitable, transparent, and forward-thinking philanthropy. For more information: www.presserfoundation.org.
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