Wichita, Kan. – Friends University voice students recently competed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) West Central Region Student Auditions, competing against college and university students across the region. A record breaking 481 competitors represented a four-state area including Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.
This year’s competition was held virtually and students were asked to submit their audition videos digitally. Semifinalists all earned scores in the highest tier of the NATS rubric from a panel of professionals.
Friends University is proud to have had the most finalists of any private college or university in the region for the fifth straight year.
“We are so proud of every student who competed in NATS within a very competitive year! It’s inspiring how our musicians can take whatever life throws at them and continue to thrive,” said Associate Professor of Voice, Dr. Matthew Schloneger.
Competition finalists are now eligible to enter the NATS National Student Auditions this spring. Finalists and semifinalists from the studios of Rolaine Hetherington, Dr. Matthew Schloneger, Dr. Rayvon Moore, Charleen Ayers and Dr. Lara Brooks include:
- Emily Kreis, 1st Place (tie), Freshmen Treble Classical (Hetherington Studio)
- Sam Scantlin, 2nd Place, Upper College Treble Music Theatre, 2nd Place, Advanced American Negro Spirituals and Semifinals, Senior Treble Classical (Schloneger Studio)
- Clayton Reitz, 2nd Place, Upper College TBB Music Theatre (Schloneger studio)
- Hannah Howard, 4th Place, Junior Treble Classical (Ayers Studio)
- Nelson Martin, 4th Place, Non-Traditional (Schloneger Studio)
- Bethany Filer, Semifinals, Junior Treble Classical and Upper College Treble Music Theatre, selected to sing at conference master class (Schloneger Studio)
- Samantha Kuemmerle, Semifinals, Senior Treble Classical (Hetherington Studio)
- Caitlyn Rohaus, Semifinals, Junior Treble Classical (Hetherington Studio)
- Olena Brown, Semifinals, Upper College Treble Music Theatre (Ayers Studio)
- Caitlyn Fox, Semifinals, Upper College Treble Music Theatre (Schloneger Studio)
- Corey Bell, Semifinals Lower College TBB Music Theatre (Schloneger Studio)
- Joshua Kelley, Semifinals Lower College TBB Music Theatre (Brooks Studio)
- Lorenz Looney, Semifinals Lower College TBB Music Theatre (Schloneger Studio)
- Salma Pena, Semifinals Sophomore Treble Classical (Moore Studio)
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.
