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Taylor Vocalists Win Six Divisions at NATS Competition

  • By: Jim Garringer, Director of Media Relations
  • Published:
NATS Student Recipients

Six vocalists from Taylor University—five students and a faculty member—won their respective divisions at last weekend’s Student Adjudications, sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). The event was held in Fort Wayne, Ind., and featured students and faculty from colleges and universities throughout the State of Indiana.

According to NATS, the annual Student Adjudications (also referred to as Student Auditions) event is one of that organization's most recognized activities. It is an opportunity for vocalists to audition in front of a panel of recognized teachers and receive positive comments and feedback on their work as singers and performers. NATS auditions serve to introduce young singers to competition by offering students the chance to reach a personal performance goal in an atmosphere of support and respect, as well as nurturing a cooperative effort towards the highest standards of artistry and technique.

A total of 17 students represented Taylor University’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. Taylor’s first place award winners were:

  • John Broda, 3rd and 4th year Musical Theatre
  • Paige Kennedy, 2nd year Women’s Classical
  • Brandt Maina, 1st year Men’s Classical
  • Abby Palmisano, 4th year Women’s Classical
  • Tiffany Rogers, 1st and 2nd year Women’s Musical Theatre
  • Lauren Walker (adjunct faculty member), Advanced College division

Two Taylor students also placed in their respective NATS divisions. They were:

  • Andrew Baker, 2nd place winner, 1st and 2nd year Men’s Musical Theatre
  • Emma Helfgott, 3rd place winner, 4th year Women’s Classical

“These outstanding finishes accomplished by our students and faculty member are wonderful validations of our music program at Taylor University,” said Dr. Conor Angell, Assistant Professor of Music and Lyric Theatre at Taylor University. “The awards demonstrate that the work and God-given talent of Taylor student singers compares quite favorably with the work of their peers in similar and larger institutions throughout the State of Indiana, and we are very proud of them.”