The National Association of Teachers of Singing celebrates the art of singing through a series of competitions and auditions designed to showcase the talented singers, performers, and composers who are the rising stars in the profession.

Valerisse Bell-Ovwiomorieu, a junior music education major who received two first place awards during the competition, said that it was wonderful to see the range of talent from students across Arkansas.

鈥淎s a student, having my studies and work being validated and praised by other vocal instructors confirms my purpose and passion for music,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was very pleased with the notes that I received from the judges and actually astounded at the outcome of placing first in both of the categories that I competed in. The talent this year was outstanding, and I am honored to have shared the stage with them all.

The event consists of student auditions designed to resemble a professional audition, a professional recital by a guest artist, and a master class by visiting artists. Students compete in three categories 鈥� classical, musical theatre, and spirituals.

Five 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students advanced to the final round and placed in the competition, including:

• Andrew Battie 鈥� First Place, Sophomore Men
• Kyndal Collins 鈥� Second Place, Senior Women; and First Place, Upper Level Musical Theater
• Kaitlyn Kendrick 鈥� Second Place, Student Adult Women
• Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu 鈥� First Place, Student Adult Women; and First Place, Student Adult Musical Theater
• Joshua Warren 鈥� First Place, Student Adult Men
• Andrew Battie, a sophomore music vocal major from Bryant, found the competition exhilarating and was especially thrilled after winning his category performing 鈥淐ome Paride Vezzoso.鈥�

鈥淭he piece is an extremely challenging Aria that is full of isolated moments and melismas, so it鈥檚 very easy to get off track,鈥� Battie said. 鈥淒uring the finals, I competed against two very talented singers, which motivated me to perform to the best of my abilities. When I found out I made first place, I couldn鈥檛 help but have the biggest smile on my face. I鈥檓 extremely grateful for the opportunities 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 music program has given me and the other music students!鈥�

Several 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students who competed in NATS also advanced to the semifinals, including: Julia Branton and Shelby Loftis, Lower Level Musical Theater; Analise McKenzie and Saige Kelly, Sophomore Women; and Joshua Gregory, Junior Men

Additional 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students who competed at NATS include Lyndsey Abbott, Diya Chakraborty, Mary Conley, Kennis Ellis III, Georgia Geren, Laila Leon, and McKenzie Smith.

Vocal Instructors Kristina Buck and Diane Kesling took the students to the competition, while Leann Jones, vocal coach and collaborative pianist, accompanied the students on piano during their competition.

The students were judged on tone, breathing, diction, accuracy in rhythm and pitch, artistry, expression, and synchronization with the pianist.

Kaitlyn Kendrick, a senior majoring in music with a focus on voice and music theory, noted that NATS is a great experience for musicians as they get to network with students from other colleges, attend master classes, and receive feedback from voice faculty across Arkansas.

鈥淚 am incredibly humbled and honored to win second place this year and share a stage with so many musicians who I respect and adore,鈥� Kendrick said. 鈥淚t is a competitive environment, but there鈥檚 also a large sense of camaraderie and respect amongst all the musicians. Our music department specifically has such a big family feel to it, so to have so many of our students there and supporting each other was the best part of my experience this year. I had over 20 people in the audience including faculty supporting me and rooting for me on stage during the final round and that meant more to me than winning.鈥�

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Presented by Vox Anima London, the evening of music took place at Cadogan Hall on June 2 and celebrated the work of Paul Mealor, a renowned artist who recently composed music for the coronation of King Charles III, where various groups each performed a set.

The program included High Point University Chamber Singers from North Carolina, the featured acapella group Apollo5, and a collaboration between Una Voce at Wildwood Park for the Arts and Ozark Festival Singers, which included 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock faculty and students.

Ozark Festival Singers is a community-based choir whose mission is to travel together and sing. With Mason and Gabe Lewis-O鈥機onnor serving as the conductors and co-artistic directors, Ozark Festival Singers perform across the U.S. and abroad. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students who performed in London as part of the group were Cole Barber, Harris Hogue, Stacey Howard-Parchel, Kaitlyn Kendrick, Lawson Stiegelmeyer, and alumna Carmen Ramirez.

Music performed by the group included:

• 鈥淐eltic Heart鈥� by Paul Mealor
• 鈥淭hree Scottish Folk Songs鈥� by John F. Hudson
• 鈥淎gnus Dei鈥� by Joanna Gill
• 鈥淎ve Maria鈥� by Henrik Dahlgren
• 鈥淏lessing鈥� by Paul Mealor

Mason conducted the concert set performed by the Ozark Festival Singers.

鈥淐onducting on the Cadogan Hall stage was an honor, and to share it with these singers and with the composers of each of our pieces was a special opportunity,鈥� Mason said. 鈥淎s I prepared this music, I was able to communicate with each of the composers and understand their ideas behind their work.鈥�

The evening closed with the featured group Apollo5 and a combination of the choirs performing a world premiere of Paul Mealor鈥檚 newly commissioned piece for the festival 鈥淭hree Things鈥� with poetry by Grahame Davies.

With the Ozark Festival Singers open for others to join, Mason hopes to see 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students seek out new musical experiences.

鈥淭he 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock music program itself has prepared our students with the skills to participate in such a group, where the music is learned largely independently with few and fast rehearsals and a short timeline for a high caliber concert,鈥� she said.

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