Mabel Mercer Foundation artistic director KT Sullivan and education director Natalie Douglas co-hosted the 6th annual Adela & Larry Elow Great American Songbook High School Competition on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at NYC’s Laurie Beechman Theatre. The goal of the Adela and Larry Elow endowment fund is to encourage teenagers to learn and perform songs from The Great American Songbook that were composed between the years of 1900-1970. This program, administered through the Mabel Mercer Foundation, bestows annual cash awards ($2,500 first prize, $1,500 second prize, and $1,000 third prize) for three outstanding students.

Eight finalists competed singing classic popular standards. Natalie auditioned and coached the student participants from eligible New York City public performing arts high schools. This year’s judges were Aisha de Haas (Broadway, TV, and film performer), Will Friedwald (author and New York Sun jazz critic), Elysa Gardner (The New York Times arts contributor), Jeff Harnar (award-winning cabaret performer and director), Mark Hummel (Broadway conductor, accompanist, and arranger), and Sandy Stewart (legendary recording artist). While the votes were tabulated guests were treated to performances by Natalie Douglas and former award winners Madelyn Matthews and Julia Parasram accompanied by pianist Jon Weber. In addition to the cash prize, the first prize winner is invited to perform at The Mabel Mercer Foundation’s annual Cabaret Convention at Lincoln Center in October.