JONESBORO, Ark. – The Southern Regional NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) State Conference and Student Auditions were held virtually on Feb. 26-27 from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where more than 133 students from across Arkansas competed in a variety of categories. 

Six students (from eight participants) from the University of Arkansas Department of Music made the finals in their respective categories: 

• Emily Auten: 1st Place (tied) Senior Trebles (student of Moon-Sook Park)
• Ceciley Allen: 1st Place Freshman Treble (student of Donna Rollene/Chris MacRae)
• Sonya Faulknor: 1st Place Younger Advanced Treble (student of Moon-Sook Park)
• Rachael Foster: 2nd Place Junior Treble (student of Moon-Sook Park/Chris MacRae)
• Juan Garcia: 1st Place Older Advanced TBB (student of Moon-Sook Park)
• Mickel Gordon: 2nd Place Older Student Adult Men and Women (student of Lauren Clare/Chris MacRae)

All finalists are eligible to apply for the virtual National Student Auditions, which will be held in conjunction with the NATS 2021 Virtual Summer Workshop, July 7-10.  

About the National Association of Teachers of Singing: Founded in 1944, National Association of Teachers of Singing Inc. is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and more than 35 other countries. Whether working in independent studios, community schools, elementary and secondary schools, or higher education, NATS members represent the diversity of today's music landscape, teaching in all vocal styles. Internationally, NATS is represented in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, with the number of countries growing every year. Their mission is to advance excellence in singing through teaching, performance, scholarship, and research.