UA Little Rock Students Compete at National Association of Teachers of Singers Competition
A group of 13 music and music education majors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singers student auditions Feb. 24 and 25 at Arkansas State University.
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 UA 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.
“We are so proud of all the hard work and dedication our students have put into this event,” Buck said. “Many 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.”
