Missouri State students recently competed in the Ozark National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Music Theatre Auditions at Drury University. MSU students performed exceptionally well, with four first place winners and two second place winners out of eight divisions.

The Ozark local chapter of NATS hosts music theatre auditions each spring to promote music theatre performance in southwest Missouri. This year six schools were represented and over 58 singers performed. The additions provide the opportunity for performance, adjudication and reflection, while supporting fellow singers, and networking within the local chapter.

“NATS Auditions are a great opportunity for singers to receive feedback from other voice teachers in the area, to try out new repertoire, or just to get up and perform. I would encourage all singers to participate! At the end of the day, it’s not about winning. Sure, everyone likes to win something. But, in my opinion, the point is to see what you can accomplish as a singer and an artist and what you take away from it as a learning experience. As performers, it is an opportunity to put everything we’ve been working on in lessons into practice in an environment that is helpful and promotes individual growth,” first place winner Traci Pritchard commented.

Division 3 – Lower Division Men

1^st place – TJ Chatman (Grace St. Pierre)
2^nd place – Mitch Brauer (Paula Patterson)

Division 4 – Lower Division Women

2^nd place – Kelsey Pressnall (Amanda Taylor)

Division 6 – Upper Division Women

1^st place – Kassandra Wright (Carol Chapman)

Division 7 – Advanced Men

1^st place – Martin Wilson (Chris Thompson)

Division 8 – Advanced Women

1^st place – Traci Pritchard (Chris Thompson)

Particpants

Jagger Bowers, Alex Baylard, Loriana Biscari, Madeline Bowdon, Travis Burbee, Nick Driscoll, Alicia Douglas, Kayleigh Greenwood, Carly Hayes, Samantha Hayes, Lizzie Klemm, Leah Koclanes, Amelia Lawson, Christi McCarthy, Mary Kate Moore, Ellen Oswald, Zachary Russell, Alana St. John, Ellen Spann, Kristen Walker, Adam Williams

Pianist

James Benecasa, Alex Huff, Ryan Hunt, Heather Luellen, Jeanie Raney

Congratulations to all!