Year after year, Reinhardt University students qualify for the prestigious National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition through the southeastern region auditions.
This year is no different with many students from Reinhardt’s School of Performing Arts qualifying for the national competition.
From March 23-24, students competed from the studios of Dr. Reverie Berger, Mr. Pedro Carreras, Dr. Rebecca Salter, and Dr. Anne Schantz and delivered stellar performances to place in their categories.
The National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with nearly 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and nearly 30 other countries.
Among the first place winners include Victoria Hill, who placed in both categories of First Year Classical Women as well as First Year Music Theatre Women, and Nick DiPuma, who placed first in Upper Level High School Musical Theatre Men.
Second-place winners included Aaron Mitchell (Upper Level High School Musical Theatre Men), Mikensley Clayton (Third Year Music Theatre Women), Alan Stein (Third Year College Music Theatre Men), and Kayla Thomas (Hall Johnson Spiritual).
Brianna Perez (Lower Advanced Classical Women) placed third in her category while finalists included Rachel Da Silva (First Year College Music Theatre Women), Rachel Hutto (First Year College Music Theatre Women), and Tyler Smith (Fourth/Fifth Year College Music Theatre Men). All listed students qualified to enter the preliminary YouTube round of the NATS National Student Auditions.
Competition was high as many participated in the event, and 11 students earned a place in the semi-finals. Among the semi-finalists were Sai Gonyea (First Year College Classical Men), John Pawlenko (First Year College Classical Men), Slade Searcy (First Year College Music Theatre Men), Kayla Thomas (Second Year Classical Women), Alexandra Watson (Second Year College Classical Women), Nikki Johnson (Second Year College Music Theatre Women), Spenser Dunn (Second Year College Music Theatre Women), Ashlee Morgan (Second Year College Music Theatre Women), Sarah Beegle (Fourth/Fifth Year College Classical Women), Katie Cornett (Fourth/Fifth Year College Music Theatre Women), and Nik Griffo (Fourth/Fifth Year College Music Theatre Men).