The winners of the Segal award are chosen by Lincoln Center's 12 constituent organizations on a rotating basis. Christy was nominated by New York City Opera; this year's other winner, filmmaker Jim McKay, was chosen by the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Christy studied at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and made her NYCO debut in 2000 as Papagena inThe Magic Flute. She has also sung Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Annabell in The Glass Blowers, Mrs. Nordstrum in A Little Night Music, and Cunegonde in Candide with the company. She sang leading roles in the world premieres of Bright Sheng's Madame Mao at Santa Fe Opera and William Bolcom's A Wedding at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.