NKU SOTA Wins Big At National Singing Competition

Northern Kentucky University's School of the Arts (SOTA) attended the Kentucky National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Student Auditions at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 12 & 13. This transdisciplinary experience included two faculty from the Theatre + Dance Program, Rita Larkin and Catherine Keen; two faculty from the Music Program, Kimberly Lazzeri and Joy Burdette; and three NKU pianists, Mika Komuro, Dasom Kwon, and Natasha Pence.

In total, 18 students from NKU SOTA and NKU Music Preparatory competed in the student auditions. From the studio of Joy Burdette: Ella Lindsley, Willow Davis, Rachael Petranek, Mason Kelley, and Parker Culp; the studio of Catherine Keen: Ezra Crist, Blair Lamb, Sally Modzelewski, and Sarah Parlow; the studio of Rita Larkin: Allyson Davis, Faustina Gorham, Joshua Van Nort, Kristopher Freeman, Kali Marsh, and Rebekah Lee; and the studio of Kimberly Lazzeri: Tyler Smith, Sarah DeMoor, and Kate Suekoff. Of these 18 students, an impressive 13 advanced to the Semifinals, with 5 placing in Finals, from each of the faculty studios.

· Parker Culp placed 3rd in High School Music Theater Men

· Ezra Crist placed 3rd in Lower College Music Theater Men

· Blair Lamb placed 1st in Lower College Music Theater Women

· Allyson Davis placed 2nd in Lower College Music Theater Women

· Tyler Smith placed 2nd in Senior Classical Men

Students had the opportunity to attend a performance by the Kentucky Opera Barbara and Halsey Stanford Studio Artists on Friday, Oct. 12. Following the performance, the artists engaged in a Q & A session with the students.

Each of the SOTA faculty served as adjudicators at the competition, with a few helping in the tally room as well. Kimberly Lazzeri was officially elected President of the Kentucky NATS Chapter and will begin this role in 2019.

In March 2019, NKU SOTA will be participating in the Regional NATS Student Auditions at Austin Peay State University.

To learn more about Northern Kentucky University's School of the Arts, visit nku.edu/sota or search NKU SOTA on social media.