Glenn Korff School of Music voice students earned 57 recognitions at the Nebraska NATS Student Auditions held online Oct. 15-29.
“The Nebraska Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), held their annual student auditions online with video submissions for the first time in the history of the organization—to insure the safety of the students, teachers, and pianists during current pandemic circumstances,” said Alisa Belflower, area head for music theatre studies and a member of the NATS National Board of Directors. “This change resulted in a record-breaking number of student entries. With so many events in the arts negatively impacted by pandemic conditions, there was unprecedented enthusiasm for this opportunity to perform safely and have your performance seen by others.”
Glenn Korff School of Music singers won 86 percent of the categories of entry, including 25 named as finalists in their categories. In addition, Korff School Voice Graduate Teaching Assistants received a record 14 of those recognitions.
“The GKSOM student-singers astonished me with their determination to self-tape the best possible videos of their auditions,” Belflower said. “For junior and senior students entering both the classical and musical theatre categories, this required the students to self-tape themselves performing eight different songs and arias. Their work to capture their best vocal performances on video was both painstaking and rewarding. GKSOM won the top prize in all but two of the fourteen categories of entry, which are determined by the student's age, voice type, and level of training.”
Belflower said she told her students that anyone able to capture their personal best on video was a winner, whether or not they received a certificate and cash award.
“What a challenge to discover your personal best?! Scoring submissions in the arts is always subjective at best, but the arts are meant to evoke personal responses,” Belflower said. “Our students did just that in moving the judges to recognize their efforts with cash prizes; however, the students' investment in their artistic growth was the most valuable win of the event.”
Below is a full listing of Glenn Korff School of Music students who earned recognition at the Nebraska NATS Student Auditions:
First Year Classical Treble Voices
• Winner Alexandra LaVake student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• [tied] 2nd Place Jill Stark student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Hanna Dannar student of GTA Hayley Shoemaker
• Finalist Aleisha Gottwald student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• Finalist Lauren Hofer student of GTA Kiya Fife
First Year Classical Tenor, Baritone, Bass Voices
• Winner Kena Lindblad student of GTA Kiya Fife
• 2nd Place Nathan Petsche student of Alisa Belflower
• 3rd Place Noah Stussie student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
Sophomore Classical Treble Voices
• Winner Hannah Healy student of GTA Kiya Fife
• Finalist Lauren Breed student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• Finalist Jacquelyn vonAschwege student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Hannah Healy student of GTA Kiya Fife
Sophomore Classical Tenor, Baritone, Bass Voices
• Winner Hayden Fuelberth student of William Shomos
• [tied] 3rd Place Harrison Boe student of Alisa Belflower
• [tied] 3rd Place Brandon McMiller student of Alisa Belflower
Junior Classical Treble Voices
• 2nd Place Rose Seeman student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• 3rd Place Maddy Stark student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Madison Pressler student of GTA Hayley Shoemaker
Junior Classical Tenor, Baritone, Bass Voices
• Winner Jacob Fee student of William Shomos
Senior Classical Treble Voices
• Winner Samantha Thomas student of Alisa Belflower
• [tied] 3rd Place Karin Berg student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• [tied] 3rd Place Emma Thomas student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
Senior Classical Tenor, Baritone, Bass Voices
• Winner Jacob Henzi student of William Shomos
• 2nd Place Maurice Garrett student of William Shomos
• 3rd Place Trent Poley student of William Shomos
• Finalist Michael O’Brien student of William Shomos
Masters & Doctoral All Voices
• Winner Hayley Shoemaker student of Alisa Belflower
• 2nd Place Connor Husa student of William Shomos
• 3rd Place Olivia Hacker student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• Finalist Brandy Trucke student of William Shomos
• Finalist Samantha Williams student of Alisa Belflower
Musical Theatre Categories
First Year Music Theatre Treble Voices
• Winner Emma Ogea student of GTA Hayley Shoemaker
• 2nd Place Olivia Cano student of Alisa Belflower
• 3rd Place Jill Stark student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Sophie Egan student of GTA Hayley Shoemaker
• Finalist Chloe Peters student of GTA Hayley Shoemaker
Sophomore Music Theatre Treble Voices
• Winner Brannon Evans student of Alisa Belflower
• [tied] 2nd Place Karlie Moore student of GTA Hayley Shoemaker
• [tied] 2nd Place Jacquelyn vonAschwege student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Lauren Breed student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• Finalist Faye Davis student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Sarah Jane Duralia student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Jenna Gruber student of GTA Trey Meyer
• Finalist Hannah Healy student of GTA Kiya Fife
• Finalist Tess Jisa student of GTA Trey Meyer
• Finalist Camryn Self student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Tessa Yeo student of Alisa Belflower
First Year & Sophomore Music Theatre Tenor, Baritone, Bass Voices
• Winner Brandon McMiller student of Alisa Belflower
• [tied] 2nd Place Jacob Vanderford student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Harrison Boe student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Jayven Brandt student of Amy Guevara
• Finalist Nate Petsche student of Alisa Belflower
Junior Music Theatre Treble Voices
• Winner Rose Seeman student of Jamie Reimer-Seaman
• [tied] 2nd Place Maddy Stark student of Alisa Belflower
• Finalist Calli Mah student of Kevin Hanrahan
• Finalist Madison Pressler student of GTA Hayley Shoemaker
Senior Music Theatre Voices
• 2nd Place Samantha Thomas student of Alisa Belflower