Young Alumnus of the Year: Meredith Wohlgemuth

During the university’s annual homecoming and alumni reunion weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. Meredith Wohlgemuth received the 2023 Young Alumnus of the Year Award. The Concordia Nebraska Young Alumnus of the Year award is given to an alumnus who graduated within the last 15 years and has made a significant contribution as a servant leader in the community, church and world. This is a recognition for outstanding performance in his/her vocation. 

Meredith (Locke) Wohlgemuth ‘18 grew up in Winter Haven, Florida. She has a bachelor of arts in music with concentration in voice from Concordia Nebraska. During her time on campus, Wohlgemuth was a member of the university’s famed A Cappella Choir. Following her time at Concordia Nebraska, she went on to earn her master of music in opera performance from The Juilliard School in 2020.  

She and Luke Wohlgemuth ‘15 were married in December 2016. He has a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design and was also a member of the A Cappella Choir. He earned a master of fine arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2020.  

Wohlgemuth will soon be joining the ensemble at Hanover State Opera, an opera house located in Hanover, Germany. She said Concordia helped her not only in her foundation of music and singing but also in preparation for a performance career. She noted incredibly generous and supportive teachers including Dr. von Kampen, Dr. Talea Bloch, Dr. Grimpo, and Dr. Herl that helped her discover what she was meant to do following graduation.  

“I think the biggest thing I learned at Concordia was how to allow myself time to figure out what I wanted to do,” she said. “I went into Concordia wanting to be a music teacher and left having a spot for grad school at Juilliard as a performer. I had no idea what was in store for me when I entered into my freshman year at Concordia, but through the years I learned how to allow myself grace and time to figure out what was next. To all the current students: it’s ok to not know exactly what’s next, or what you should do, or even what your calling is. It will all fall into place as it should. God’s timeline is greater than ours, so trust it!” 

In 2023, Wohlgemuth made her mainstage Carnegie Hall debut with maestro Mark Shapiro. In 2022 she was a part of the United States premiere of “Lessons in Love and Violence” by George Benjamin at the Tanglewood Music Festival. In 2021, she made her Weill Hall Carnegie Hall debut with Renee Fleming’s SongStudio. She will move to Europe this fall. 

Wohlgemuth is a 2023 Grand Finals Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, the 2022 1st Prize Winner of the Concours international musical de Montreal with her pianist Jinhee Park, and a Sullivan Grant Award Winner.  

“My family are the most supportive and loving people I know! They have been a huge part of getting me to where I am today,” she said. “My parents have always encouraged and guided me to do what I loved, to work hard, and to serve others through my music. These are the greatest gifts I could have received growing up.” 

Are you interested in discovering the music education offerings at Concordia Nebraska? Learn more here.