Voice Students Advance to Finals in NATS Competition

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U of A students and faculty at the 2019 conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Jonesboro.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Department of Music's Voice Area traveled to Jonesboro for a three-day conference and competition for the regional meeting of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Nov. 7-9. The conference was held at Arkansas State University where over 320 students from across Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi competed in various categories.

Seven voice students from the University of Arkansas competed in the competition, and all seven advanced in their respective categories:

• Stacee Lyles: 1st Place, Upper Advanced Trebles (student of associate professor Moon-Sook Park)
• Ethan Godfrey: 1st Place, Lower Advanced TBB (student of associate professor Moon-Sook Park)
• Mickel Gordon: 1st Place, Lower Student Adult Trebles and TBB (student of associate professor Moon-Sook Park)
• Dennese Adkins: 2nd Place, Upper Advanced Trebles (student of associate professor Moon-Sook Park)
• Gloria Deveraux: 2nd Place, Lower Advanced Trebles (student of associate professor Moon-Sook Park)
• Kyle Forehand: 3rd Place, Senior TBB (student of graduate assistant Theodor Rulfs and associate professor David Malis)
• Sophia Chiocco: 3rd Place, Lower College Music Theater Treble (student of graduate assistant Theodor Rulfs)

As part of their advancement in the Regional NATS competition, all finalists are eligible to apply to compete at the National Student Auditions that will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, in summer 2020. 

U of A faculty members Moon-Sook Park and Chris MacRae also performed at the conference. Park performed a set of Korean art songs at the Member's Recital. MacRae presented a lecture-recital on landscape portrayals in the music of Srul Irving Glick. Hyun Kim, visiting assistant professor of piano, collaborated with all of the U of A music students and faculty for the conference.