UNL School of Music students win at regional competition

            The University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music took home the most awards at the 2012 West Central National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Auditions held at UNL the weekend of Nov. 2-3, including Singer of the Year honors for School of Music senior Kendall Reimer.

            UNL voice students received 39 awards and 28 semi-finalist recognitions, more than any of the other 22 participating colleges and universities. The West Central Region of NATS includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming.

            Reimer won Singer of the Year honors, while David Rubio received honorable mention for Singer of the Year.

            "I was incredibly excited to receive this award. I have participated in both State and Regional NATS for the last four years, and it really was a great honor to receive," said Reimer, a senior from Lincoln. "I work very hard on all of my music and always enjoy having the opportunity to share it with others, even in a competition environment."

            She credits her teacher, associate professor of voice Kate Butler, with her success.

            "Throughout my time at UNL, I have had the wonderful opportunity to study with a phenomenal teacher, Kate Butler, and I could not ask for a more profound mentor to lead me through this portion of my musical journey," Reimer said.

            Butler said Reimer has a promising future.

            "It has been my joy and pleasure to help guide and shape Kendall Reimer's vocal development; to encourage her to express herself artistically, individually and honestly; and to share in her growth, discoveries and successes," Butler said. "Kendall is a remarkable young woman. She has a gorgeous vocal gift, superb innate musical instincts and, onstage, possesses that special 'lit-from-within' quality one finds in true performers. I am so happy for her and look forward to her very promising future."

            Alisa Belflower, senior lecture of voice and musical theatre, said UNL competes well at regional NATS on an annual basis.

            "UNL's student vocalists in the School of Music contribute every year to enhancing our reputation for artistic excellence," Belflower said. "Despite increased competition from across the Midwest, UNL students won far more awards than in years past, winning first and/or second place in nearly every level of the auditions. Our students are wonderfully gifted young artists, who strive toward excellence."

            There were 450 student entries representing 22 universities and colleges and 20 private voice studios participating in this year’s auditions.

            NATS was founded in 1944 and is now the largest association of teachers of singing in the world. NATS offers a variety of lifelong learning experiences to its members, including workshops, intern programs, master classes and conferences.

            The winning UNL students included:

NEBRASKA

            Adams: Abbey Jo Klein, first-year women, fifth.

            Bellevue: Brian Jeffers, junior and senior men in musical theatre, third, senior men, semifinals.

            Eagle: Jenny Smith, junior women, third.

            Elwood: Jeremy Brown, first-year men, first, first-year and sophomore men in musical theatre, third.

            Gering: Braden Foreman, sophomore men, semifinals.

            Grand Island: Josh Huls, senior men, semifinals.

            Hickman: Rebecca Duncan, sophomore women, third, first-year and sophomore women in musical theatre, third.

            Lincoln: Carey Brant, senior men, semifinals, junior and senior men in musical theatre, semifinals; Matthew Clegg, graduate men, first; Arica Coleman, graduate women, first; Deanna Davis, graduate women, third; Katelyn Geary, first-year women, semifinals; Anne Gray, non-traditional students, fifth; Sam Hartley, graduate men, second; Jared Hiscock, graduate men, third; Timothy Madden, senior men, semifinals, junior and senior men in musical theatre, semifinals; Bret Olsen, non-traditional students, honorable mention; Kendall Reimer, senior women, first and singer of the year; Anna Schoettger, sophomore women, tie for second; Rachael Washington, junior women, semifinals, junior and senior women in musical theatre, semifinals; Wyn Wiley, junior men, semifinals.

            Omaha: Karina Brazas, non-traditional students, second; Angela Gilbert, first-year and sophomore women in musical theatre, first, sophomore women, semifinals; Tyler Gruttemeyer, junior and senior men in musical theatre, fourth; Marjorie Huntley, senior women, semifinals, junior and senior women in musical theatre, semifinals; Chelsea McCaskill, junior women, fourth; April Quinn, first-year women, second; David Ricart, first-year men, fifth; Andrew Ritchie, sophomore men, semfinals; David Rubio, junior and senior men in musical theatre, first, senior men, semifinals and singer-of-the-year honorable mention.

            Papillion: Trent Buglewicz, junior and senior men in musical theatre, semifinals; Christian Cardona, first-year and sophomore men in musical theatre, second, sophomore men, semifinals; Morgan Harris, first-year and sophomore women in musical theatre, semifinals; Eric Martens, first-year men, second; Gretchen Pille, sophomore women, tie for second; Sara Warner, senior women, second, junior and senior women in musical theatre, third.

ELSEWHERE

            Ankeny, Iowa: Kamerin Churchman, junior and senior women in musical theatre, second, senior women, third; Kourtlin Churchman, sophomore women, semifinals, first-year and sophomore women in musical theatre, fourth.

            Bettendorf, Iowa: Hannah Kurth, junior and senior women in musical theatre, fifth, senior women, semifinals; Nathaniel Sullivan, junior men, second, junior and senior men in musical theatre, fifth.

            Boone, Iowa: Lauren Hackenmiller, graduate women, semifinals.

            Carrollton, Mo.: Cody Meyer, sophomore men, semifinals.

            Centennial, Colo.: Ben Krantz, sophomore men, semifinals.

            Clive, Iowa: Emily Solo, junior women, semifinals.

            Point of Rocks, Md.: Jackie Josten, graduate women, fourth.

            Pueblo West, Colo.: Elaina Matthews, senior women, semifinals.

            Stilwell, Kan.: Alexandra Tiller, junior women, honorable mention.

            Tucson, Ariz.: Jaimie Pruden, senior women, semifinals, junior and senior women in musical theatre, honorable mention.

Writer: Kathe Andersen, Publications Coord., College of Fine and Performing Arts, 402-472-9355