Local College of Fine Arts Students Triumph at South Dakota NATS Auditions

Students from the College of Fine Arts have achieved top awards at the South Dakota District and Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Auditions. Participants included the University of South Dakota (USD), Augustana College, South Dakota State University, and Morningside University. Tracelyn Gesteland, DMA, a professor at USD, commended the students for their performances.

Winners from Gesteland's group included Abigail Beckler, a graduate vocal performance major, who won first place in Advanced Classical Treble. Denisse Balandran, a senior, won first place in Fourth/Fifth Year Classical Treble and Upper College Musical Theatre Treble. Brian Shirley, a senior, also won first place in Fourth/Fifth Year Classical TBB and Upper College Musical Theatre TBB.

Other winners were Jacob Olson, a sophomore, who won first place in Lower College Musical Theatre TBB. Michael Arriaza, a freshman, won second place in First Year Classical TBB and Lower College Musical Theatre TBB. Elisabeth Peirce, a senior, won second place in Upper College Musical Theatre Treble and third place in Fourth/Fifth Year Classical Treble.

From Juan Carlos Mendoza's group, Brooke Hilding, a sophomore, won first place in Lower College Musical Theatre Treble. Alma Sejmenović, a junior, won second place in Third Year Treble. Deanne Ekstrand, a senior, received an honorable mention in Fourth/Fifth Year Classical Treble.

In addition to the district and regional auditions, two USD voice students, Beckler and Balandran, competed in the North Central regional rounds of the NATS Auditions and qualified for the national level. The national competition will take place in late April.

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