ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Sarah Talley of Bella Vista, a senior voice performance student at Ouachita Baptist University, was a semifinalist in the senior women division at the 40th annual Arkansas National Association of Teachers of Singing conference held at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark., earlier in March.
Affirming that being named a finalist or semifinalist is a testament of students' hard work and talent, Dr. Margaret Garrett, assistant professor of music, said, "I am proud of all the students who attend NATS, as they work to accomplish their best singing in preparation for the event."
Founded in 1944, NATS is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with thousands of members in nearly 30 countries. NATS offers a variety of lifelong learning experiences to its members.
Ouachita students participated in the Arkansas conference, where participants had the opportunity to attend recitals, master classes and professional workshops and presentations in addition to the competitive auditions. This year's guest clinician was Dean Southern, who serves on the voice faculty at Cleveland Institute of Music.
"NATS competitions are vital opportunities for our students to hear other performers just like themselves who are studying in a university setting," said David Stanley, instructor of music at OBU. "It also puts a little bit of pressure to perform to their best ability in front a panel of professional evaluators."
General News on 03/25/2015