The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will host its first ever singing competition, 鈥�,鈥� featuring a panel of three renowned Arkansas musicians as judges: Kris Allen, Bonnie Montgomery, and Rodney Block.

From a pool of almost 100 talented auditioners, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 own Kyndal Collins and Mya Little have made it to the final round, along with four other finalists. The final round will take place May 11-12, and the judges will select two winners from the final contenders.

Collins, a senior vocal performance major at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, boasts a wide array of artistic gifts. Her passions include music composition, playing piano, visual arts, and creative writing. Her stage experience includes solo stage performance, choral performance, and musical theater.

鈥淚 am truly honored to have this experience because it is a growth point for me,鈥� stated Collins. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been nervous about giving things a go and in the past it has held me back.  However, when the opportunity for this competition came around, I was mentally ready to say, 鈥楯ust give it a try!鈥� This has taught me that when it comes to something you鈥檙e truly passionate about, there is no room for doubt, just action. And even if your 鈥榡ust doing鈥� doesn鈥檛 work out, there will always be more opportunities to give it a go again.鈥�

Meanwhile, Little, who balances her studies with her career as an after-school coordinator at Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, is pursuing a degree in music and is recognized for her versatility as an artist. Her talents have been showcased in the Threepenny Opera and the opera Lo Frate 鈥楴namorato in Urbania, Italy. Her repertoire spans R&B, pop, and classical genres, in addition to her experience in modeling and acting.

鈥淏eing in the Arkansas Talent competition has been an absolute honor,鈥� Little remarked. 鈥淭o be included in the number of talented artists is enough for me.鈥�

Little will sing “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston with ASO on Saturday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Robinson Center, while Collins will perform “O Mio Babbino Caro” from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi with ASO on Sunday, May 12, at 3 p.m.

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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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The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall located in the Fine Arts Building. A performance unlike any other, the Chancellor鈥檚 Concert features nearly every student ensemble in the music program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

“The Chancellor’s Concert, now in its third year, is the Music Program’s largest event of the academic year,鈥� said Dr. Justin Bunting, director of instrumental activities. 鈥淭his concert features nearly every student ensemble in the Music Program, as well as five student soloists that were selected by a panel of judges via video audition. It is a joy for me every year to construct this program and for all of us to be afforded the opportunity to share the breadth of the Music Program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.”

Groups performing at this year鈥檚 Chancellor鈥檚 Concert include the Chamber Singers, Clarinet Ensemble, Concert Choir, Flute Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Women鈥檚 Choir.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student ensembles and their pieces include:

• Concert Choir 鈥� 鈥淭he Last Words of David鈥� by Randall Thompson
• Piano Ensemble 鈥� 鈥淪panish Dance, Op. 12 No. 1鈥� by Moritz Moszkowski
• Chamber Singers – “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel, arranged by Bob Chilcott and 鈥淚n Noctem鈥� by Nicholas Hooper
• Jazz Ensemble – “Buckjump” by Troy Andrews and Mike Ballard, arranged by John Wasson
• Clarinet Ensemble 鈥� 鈥淐aprice for Clarinets鈥� by Clare Grundman
• Percussion Ensemble 鈥� 鈥淲atercolor Sun鈥� by Ivan Trevino
• Women’s Choir 鈥� 鈥淟as Amarillas鈥� arranged by Stephen Hatfield and 鈥淒ies Irae鈥� by Z. Randall Stroope
• Wind Ensemble 鈥� 鈥淒usk鈥� by Steven Bryant and 鈥淲altz No. 2鈥� by Dmitri Shostakovich, arranged by Michael Brown

The five student soloists and their pieces include:

• Max Reyes on flute performing 鈥淗ypnosis鈥� by Ian Clarke
• Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu, soprano, performing 鈥淟a Diva de l’Empire鈥� by Erik Satie
• Shelby Loftis, soprano, performing “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” from Avenue Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
• Kyndal Collins, soprano, performing 鈥淐hanson d’amour鈥� by Gabriel Faur茅
• Nakira Bates on piano performing 鈥淕rand Waltz in A-flat major, Op. 34 No. 1鈥� by Fr茅d茅ric Chopin

For more information or questions regarding the event, please contact the School of Literary and Performing Arts at 501-916-3291.

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