Lee students compete in National Association of Teachers of Singing competition

Six students from Lee University’s School of Music won awards at the Mid-South Regional competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Memphis last month. They were among a group of 17 students who traveled to the competition held at the University of Memphis on March 24.

Students were required to prepare four songs to sing over the weekend, including foreign language or musical theatre pieces. Of the group, 15 students advanced to the competition’s semifinal round.

The students who received awards during the finals were first place junior treble classical winner Katie Lin, first place freshman treble classical winner Taylor Guyton, second place lower college treble musical theatre winner Faith Miller, second place upper college treble musical theatre winner Ashley Mills, third place upper college musical theatre winner Emma Richard and third place senior treble classical winner Kristin Shaffer. These results are unprecedented in Lee’s history at NATS. 

Dr. Lenena Brezna, assistant professor of music, said the group “showed up and showed out.” 

“It is a true learning experience for our students,” said Brezna. “Myself and all of the teachers here find it very important that our students are there and that they get to experience it.”

Brezna said the competition enhances students’ undergraduate education beyond the classroom and the additional feedback affirms and encourages new development. 

“I want [students] to sing for other people [and I want students] to coach with other people because what you find is that the things that your teacher has been saying to you, these other teachers will say the same thing; we usually all say the same thing,” said Brezna. “But when somebody else says it, it has a great impact on them coming back into your studio and having an ‘aha’ moment.”

Ashley Mills, a junior music major, believes the competition diversified her college education. Mills won second place in the upper division musical theatre category.

“It was exhilarating,” said Mills, “I personally really enjoyed receiving feedback from other professors from different universities. It really made me feel like I was improving and gave me different kinds of critiques to work on.”

Mills believes the competition was an opportunity for students to discover a path for their future.

“For me, it felt like God was reassuring me the whole time that I am doing what I am called to do…it was a huge affirming experience,” said Mills. 

Taylor Guyton, a freshman vocal performance major, placed first in the classical freshmen treble category, and she sees NATS as a platform for growth in her education. 

“It was really exciting and beneficial to hear the constructive criticism that people other than my own voice teacher had for me,” said Guyton, “Getting all of those different opinions made me realize a lot of different things that I still had to work on, despite my success in the competition.” 

Guyton plans to compete in the online National Preliminary round of the competition, and she hopes to move on to represent Lee at the National Semifinals this summer in Chicago. Guyton will be performing “Stride la Vampa” from Giuseppe Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” “Tregua non ho” by Stefano Donaudy and “Do Not Go, My love” by Richard Hageman.

Guyton is preparing for the competition by working on these pieces in her daily lessons and recording videos of her performance to identify and adjust errors. Guyton said being a part of these competitions has introduced her to new interests across genres.

“Participating in this event has meant so much to me,” said Guyton. “It showed me how many people I have that believe in me and support me in this new adventure I’m on. It has opened a new door in my life for this love of classical music and opera. I’m very excited to explore this future in classical music that I could have, and I see this as the first stepping stone in this journey.”

Dr. Andrea Dismukes, professor of voice, will be judging the online competition, the results of which will be announced by May 1.

After the NATS competition, the online preliminary rounds for the national competition in Chicago changed the requirements, allowing the top five winners in each category to audition. Dismukes believes the opportunity of applying is furthering student development.

“It's really just not competitive, it's not meant to be competitive,” said Dismukes. “It's meant to be a chance for people to get better.”

Brezna believes the NATS competition also serves as an opportunity to share the message of Christ, and “it elevates Lee.”

“We have our students out there showing, first of all Jesus, and being gracious and being honest and being a good colleague to other singers across the two states that we compete with,” said Brezna, “That's only going to show God, and it's only going to show Lee [as] what we hope Lee really is.”