UNL School of Music places 22 finalists in regional competition

Released on 11/14/2008, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Lincoln, Neb., November 14th, 2008 —

With 22 finalists, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music was the most successful participating school in the 2008 National Association of the Teachers of Singing's West Central Regional Vocal Auditions, held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Kearney.

Twenty-four colleges and universities participated in the competition, and 333 students participated in the auditions.

"UNL students and pianists brought a superb level of artistry to their NATS vocal auditions this year," said Alisa Belflower, senior lecturer in the School of Music. "UNL students winning 22 awards established a new pinnacle of artistic achievement at this annual event."

In addition, UNL was awarded the two highest honors of the annual conference, which is the final leg in NATS competition. Michael Cotton, UNL's staff accompanist, was named "Accompanist of the Year" in recognition of his artistic excellence and collaborative musicianship. He was selected among the 57 accompanists who participated.

UNL bachelor of music major Bryan McKnight of Urbandale, Iowa, received 2008 Singer of the Year honors when his performance in the musical theater finals was selected by guest artist Marjorie Stephens as the most outstanding vocal performance in all of the final auditions.

This is the first year that both honors were awarded to the same university.

"Our pianists and vocalists added significant luster to UNL's reputation for excellence in vocal performance," Belflower said.

UNL winners by hometown:

NEBRASKA

Bellevue John Gieringer, junior men, fourth.

Grand Island Shani Daws, sophomore women, semifinalist.

Hallam Dustin Paugh, upper college musical theatre, semifinalist.

Lincoln Arica Coleman, first-year women, fourth, and lower college musical theatre, semifinalist; Jessie Cotton, graduate women, semifinalist; Allison Frenzel, junior women, second, and upper college musical theatre, third; Sam Hartley, sophomore men, third, and lower college musical theatre, second; Sara Linde, non-traditional, third; Kyle Sandall, graduate men, second; Nicholas Soutsos, graduate men, third; Kellyn Wooten, sophomore women, semifinalist, and lower college musical theatre, semifinalist.

Omaha Dan Beard, senior men, honorable mention; Jessie Beran, senior women, first, and upper college musical theatre, semifinalist; Melanie Holm, first-year women, semifinalist.

Papillion Tyler Buglewicz, sophomore men, second.

ELSEWHERE

Ankeny, Iowa Dana Cisna, sophomore women, semifinalist.

Auburn, Kan. Paige Whitaker, junior women, semifinalist, and upper college musical theatre, semifinalist.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Adam Fieldson, junior men, first, and upper college musical theatre, second.

Colorado Springs, Colo. Brett Guster, sophomore men, fifth, and lower college musical theatre, semifinalist.

Des Moines, Iowa Allison Harvey, first-year women, first.

Eldora, Iowa Elizabeth Neuerburg, graduate women, first.

Kansas City, Mo. Stuart Richey, junior men, third, and upper college musical theatre, semifinalist.

Manchester, Iowa Cami Philgreen, sophomore women, semifinalist, and lower college musical theatre, first; Jon Sill, first-year men, third, lower college musical theatre, semifinalist.

San Antonio, Texas Adria Caffaro, sophomore women, first, and lower college musical theatre, semifinalist.

Urbandale, Iowa Bryan McKnight, 2008 Singer of the Year, and upper college musical theatre, first.

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