Born and raised in Eagle River, Liam Dooley is a 2018 graduate of Chugiak High School. He received his Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from the University of Denver and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Voice and Opera at McGill University. A former student of 2004 Young Alaskan Artist Christine Keene, Liam is the first “second-generation” award winner. This landmark underscores the importance of investing in young Alaskan musicians.

Liam’s recital will span a wide stylistic range, from Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro to Rachel Portman’s The Little Prince, based on Saint-Exupéry’s beloved classic, and Paul Bowles’ Blue Mountain Ballads, settings of poems by Tennessee Williams. Liam will be joined by pianist Susan Reed.

Since 1999, the Anchorage Festival of Music has held an annual competition to recognize a performing Alaskan musical artist entering the professional field. To mark the 20th anniversary of the program and in recognition of the late Senator Ted Stevens as co-founder, the award was renamed the Ted Stevens Young Alaskan Artist Award in July 2018. Co-founder Juliana Osinchuk was named YAA Director Emerita in 2023.