One of 11 finalists who competed at the regionals held at USC, Maldjian is the tenth CSUN vocalist to win first place in the highly competitive western regional finals. Preceding her have been prominent CSUN alumni such as soprano Carol Vanness and mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung.

Northridge's Music Department has been represented at the western regionals for more than 30 consecutive years.

"We are proud of all of our Met winners," said David Aks, CSUN Opera artistic director, "and Ani belongs right up there with the best of them."

Maldjian studies with CSUN music professor Deanna Murray and has worked with eminent coaches such as CSUN's Maro Donabedian, David Aks and Ann Baltz, Marilyn Horne at the Music Academy of the West, and Vanness.

The busy young soprano plays the role of Cleopatra in the CSUN Opera's current production of G.F. Handel's "Julius Caesar." In December, she will sing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles, performing the role of Jane in "Wet,"Anne LeBaron's operatic narrative on the world's coming water crisis. She recently performed at the dedication of Cal State Northridge's Bayramian Building.

A member of the prestigious Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Maldjian is scheduled to receive her master's degree in music from CSUN next spring.

A second CSUN music student, Tara Davidson, advanced along with Maldjian from the district competition as far as the western regionals, where she received an Encouragement Award. Davidson also appears in "Julius Caesar" at CSUN.

Created to find budding opera singers and help develop their careers, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions are held annually in 16 regions of the U.S. and Canada, each region encompassing 50 districts.

At the March semi-finals, ten finalists will be chosen to compete in the National Finals, to be staged in a public concert and accompanied by The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. A top prize of $15,000 will be awarded to five of the competitors.