Paula Patterson Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Department of Music shines at MMEA 2026

March 19, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Several faculty and students from Missouri State University’s Department of Music attended the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference Jan. 27-31 at the Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Dr. Paula Patterson, music department head, described the event as “a great success.” Among the highlights, Dr. Daniel Hellman, professor of music education, was inducted into the MMEA Hall of Fame. In addition, seven music students performed with MMEA’s All-Collegiate Orchestra.

Hellman inducted into Hall of Fame

According to the organization’s website, MMEA’s Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have “made a lasting or enduring impact on the stature and condition of music education in the state of Missouri.” This year, the organization selected Missouri State’s Dr. Daniel Hellman for that distinction.

Woman presenting a Missouri music award to a man — Dr. Daniel Hellman accepts his Hall of Fame award from MMEA President-Elect Chelsea Silvermintz. Photo credit: Missouri Music Educators Association.

Hellman said he felt “deeply honored and genuinely humbled” to receive the award. He was nominated for his long-term efforts to support music educators and students through teacher preparation, service, research and advocacy.

“Being recognized in a room filled with dedicated Missouri music educators was especially meaningful,” he noted. “I have an immense amount of respect for my colleagues around the state.”

Teaching is a “privilege”

Being a professor at Missouri State is both a privilege and a responsibility, Hellman said.

“My work involves helping future teachers in our undergraduate programs and current teachers in our graduate program turn their musicianship, their understanding of teaching, learning and research-informed ideas, into the daily decisions that they make with students.”

The rewards are clear, he added, because he sees the impact Missouri State’s music graduates have on students every single day. [Read more…] about Department of Music shines at MMEA 2026

Four Missouri State voice students win at CRNATS

December 8, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

Four Missouri State University vocal performance students placed in the final rounds of the Central Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (CRNATS) student auditions Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

Veronika Yerina, a junior vocal performance and biology double major, placed first in the upper division treble category. She sang Mozart’s “Dove sono i bei momenti.”

Senior vocal performance major Kyleigh Hendrix placed second in the upper division treble category, while sophomore vocal performance major Mara Bannister placed third in lower division treble. Payton Ballinger, who is pursuing a master’s in vocal performance, placed third in advanced division.

All four now advance to the national semifinals, which will be held in the spring of 2026.

Other students participating in the CRNATS competition were Abigail Teberian, Allison Britt, Aryan Neece-McHaffie, Ella Greninger, Noah Maddox, Jacob Leath, Parker Ohman, Kaitlyn Wilson and Wade Bogart. Eight of these students advanced to the semifinal rounds.

Several members of Missouri State’s music faculty traveled with the students. They were Dr. Carol Chapman, voice area coordinator; Dr. Perry Mears, assistant professor of collaborative piano and accompanist; Dr. Chris Thompson, professor of vocal music; Dr. Ann Marie Daehn, professor of vocal music and Opera Workshop; Visiting Artist Kara McBain; and Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the Department of Music.

“We are all very proud of the students that participated in the auditions,” Chapman said.

MSU Theatre and Dance collaborates with Springfield Symphony Orchestra in “Carousel”

October 31, 2024 by Lynn Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance joins the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to present “Carousel” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 2024, at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

As part of the Symphony’s “Lullaby of Broadway” program, the performance features a concert version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic and stars Josh Young, associate professor and coordinator of musical theatre at Missouri State.

The production includes a 55-member ensemble backed by a 60-plus piece symphony.

Springfield Symphony Maestro Kyle Pickett will conduct the entire event.

Tickets are available through the Hammons Hall box office and online at www.missouristatetix.com.

Get Tickets

Collaboration leads to “Carousel”

When Young joined MSU’s theatre and dance faculty in 2023, one of his first actions was to have lunch with Pickett to discuss collaboration opportunities.

“Kyle and I discussed several possibilities, including an evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein music,” Young said.

Originally, the plan was to give a performance featuring Young and his wife, Emily Padgett-Young. Both are Broadway veterans, and Young was nominated for a Tony® Award in 2012.

“However, ‘Carousel’ has always been one of my favorite musical scores,” Young said. “With the immense talent we have here at MSU, I thought, ‘Why just do a two-person evening of songs when we could create something even more special?’”

“The idea of bringing the full richness of ‘Carousel’ to life with our students, in collaboration with the Springfield Symphony, felt like the perfect way to elevate the experience for both the performers and the audience,” he added.

Since then, working with Pickett and the technical staff at Hammons Hall has been a delight, Young said. “Their professionalism and flexibility have made the collaboration seamless.”

Man singing in front of Steinway piano — Josh Young performs for the Missouri State Foundation Board of Trustees on Oct. 18, 2024, in the C. Minor Recital Hall. Photo credit: Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University.

Dr. Richard Todd Payne performs in Verdi’s “Aida”

August 20, 2024 by Lynn Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Dr. Richard Todd Payne, professor of voice in the Department of Music, performed in a concert production of “Aida” at the Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis, Missouri, July 26, 28 and Aug. 3.

Payne sang the role of Il Re dell’Egitto/The King in the Giuseppe Verdi classic.

First time playing role

Payne noted this was the first time he had played the role of The King. He auditioned in January 2024 and learned a few weeks later that he had been selected.

“I felt excited and humbled to take on a role I have never sung before,” Payne admitted.

“Tremendous Opportunity”

Payne described the “Aida” cast as “amazing” and a joy to work with.

“In the words of Sly & The Family Stone, ‘It’s a Family Affair!'” Payne said. “Such an awesome group of talented and disciplined artists whom I enjoyed working with, learning from and developing new friendships.”

“Because Union Avenue saw in me the capability of bringing this role to life and awarded me this tremendous opportunity, I knew that, from a work ethic perspective, I must be above and beyond prepared,” he added.

Missouri State students excel at national singing auditions

August 7, 2024 by Lynn Lansdown

Three Missouri State University students from the Department of Music’s voice program took top honors during the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 27-28.

Matthew Juhlin, Theron LePage and Veronika Yerina all advanced to the final rounds and placed in their respective categories, according to Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the music department.

Juhlin placed first and LePage placed second in the Upper Classical TBB (Tenor, Baritone and Bass) Voice category. Juhlin and LePage study voice with Dr. Chris Thompson.

Yerina, who studies voice with Dr. Carol Chapman, placed third in Lower Classical Treble Voice category.

All three received certificates of recognition and monetary awards for their performances.

Emma Gulovsen, Zoe Juhlin, Ryan McIntosh, Tanner Munson, Emily Owings and Jan Veljak all advanced to the semifinal rounds.