Music Majors Awarded Top Honors at Local NATS Chapter Auditions
October 15, 2019
Webster University music majors took top honors at the St. Louis-area chapter auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) on Oct. 12, hosted by Webster University.
Winning first place in their divisions were sophomore Madalyn Tomkins, sophomore Caleb McCarroll (winning first in both musical theatre and classical division), senior Olivia Bosaw, senior Madeleine Buckley, and graduate student Amy Mazzeo.
Conservatory of Theatre Arts junior Savannah Smith won first place in her musical theatre division, and first-year music major Kelly Beekman won second place in her division.
Webster faculty members Martha J. Hart, Amanda Taylor, Heather McKenzie Patterson, Jacob Lassetter, Jeffrey Carter and Leann Schuering were involved with the event. Nancy Mayo, Jody Clegg and Ron McGowan had served as collaborative pianists for the auditions.
“The St. Louis Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing provides this opportunity to students from the greater St. Louis area to gain experience in the auditioning and competitive process,” said Martha J. Hart, director of Vocal Studies.
“They receive commentary from a panel of judges and become acquainted with students from other schools who are pursuing studies in music," said Hart. "I am always pleased with the good citizens our students are and how well they represent Webster University.”
National Association of Teachers of Singing
The National Association of Teachers of Singing is a non-profit association of teachers of singing that promotes the highest standards in the teaching of singing and vocal education and research at all levels. Founded in 1944, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and more than 35 other countries.
Whether working in independent studios, community schools, elementary and secondary schools, or higher education, NATS members represent the diversity of today’s music landscape, teaching in all vocal styles.
NATS offers a variety of lifelong learning experiences to its members, with workshops, Intern Programs, master classes and conferences, all beginning at the chapter level and progressing to national events. Students of NATS members have access to one of the organization's most widely recognized activities: Student Auditions.
They also have the opportunity, along with members, to compete at a national level through the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Artist Awards (NATSAA), the National Music Theater Competition (NMTC), and the National Student Auditions competition.
To learn more about the National Association of Teachers of Singing visit nats.org.