This competition and conference, held from Feb. 28 to March 1, is a culmination of talent from across the state of Arkansas. It allows students to not only compete with others but is a place for them to learn and improve their singing abilities.

The students compete in a variety of categories, such as musical theatre and classical music. They can attend master classes where they learn from professional singers and teachers. There are even recitals performed by professional singers that showcase a range of musical genres.

鈥淚t was a great learning experience,鈥� said Analise McKenzie, music student. 鈥淚t was an honor, and there was such an encouraging spirit from the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students! I work with Professor Kristina Buck, and without her training, I would not be where I am now!鈥� 

Six singers made it as finalists in the competition. They are: 

• Lexi Anderson – 1st Place, Younger Student Adult Classical 鈥� Treble聽
• Valerisse Bell-Ovwioumoriemu – 3rd Place,聽 Upper Non-Traditional Adult Classical Treble, and 1st Place, Musical Theatre聽
• Donavon Lloyd – 1st Place, Upper Non-Traditional Adult Musical Theatre Tenor, Bass, Baritone (TBB)聽
• Analise McKenzie – 2nd Place,聽 Third Year Lower Classical Treble聽
• Evan Smith – 1st Place, Third Year Lower Musical Theatre TBB
• Joshua Warren – 1st Place, Upper Non-Traditional Adult Classical TBB聽
• JT Watford – 1st Place, Adult Avocational Musical Theatre TBB, and 1st Place, Adult Avocational Classical TBB聽

Semifinalists of the competition were Julia Branton, Mary Conley, Victoria Gardner, Kaitlyn Kendrick, Avery Litton, and Madisyn Thomas. Other students who participated in the competition included Lyndsey Abbott, Kennis Ellis, Georgia Geren, and Bricen Green. 

鈥淭his is my third time participating in NATS.  I now hold five certificates from placing all three of the years that I’ve gone,鈥� said Valerisse Bell-Ovwioumoriemu, voice student of Diane Kesling. 鈥淚 love having the opportunity to receive affirmations and confirmation from other vocal instructors who judge my performances. Their notes are very helpful and beneficial to my vocal studies.鈥�

Voice professors Diane Kesling, Don Brazile, and Kristina Buck were also in attendance, supporting their students. 

鈥淧rofessor Kesling, Professor Brazile, and I are so proud of all the hard work and dedication our students have put into this event,鈥� Buck said. 鈥淭he music area is fast growing, and it鈥檚 exciting to see the growth and success that all of our music students are accomplishing.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Music Students Compete at the National Association of Teachers Competition appeared first on News.

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�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Students Compete at National Association of Teachers of Singers Competition appeared first on News.

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.

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 – classical, musical theatre, and spirituals.

Seven students advanced to the final round and placed in the competition. Those students receive recognition from the stage, a certificate of their placement, and a monetary gift. These students include:

• Andrew Battie – Second Place, First Year Men Classical
• Kyndal Collins – Second Place, Third Year Women Classical
• Brent Foster – First Place, American Spirituals
• Kaitlyn Kendrick – Second Place, Adult Classical
• Mya Little – Second Place, Fourth/Fifth Year Women Classical
• Analise McKenzie – Second Place, First Year Women Classical
• Joshua Warren – First Place, Adult Classical

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students who also competed include Joshua Gregory, Carli Lankford, Saige Kelly, Yvonne Melendez-Whalen, McKenzie Smith, and Lawson Stiegelmeyer.

Vocal Professors Kristina Buck and Diane Kesling took the students to the competition, while Dr. Naoki Hakutani, associate professor of music, accompanied the students on piano during their competition.

Professor Buck noted that this is the first time many of the students have participated in-person at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, due to previous COVID restrictions.

鈥淲e are so proud of all the hard work and dedication our students have put into this event,鈥� Buck said. 鈥淢any of our students missed moving on by just 1-2 points in their respective categories. These students have achieved so much as a first-time experience.鈥�

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Students Compete at National Association of Teachers of Singers Competition appeared first on News.