Tabor freshman places second at NATS auditions
Elise Penrose, a Tabor College freshman from Bakersfield, Calif., received second place Nov. 4 - 6 in her division at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Regional Student Auditions.
Penrose placed second after three rounds of competition in the Freshman Women's category.
"NATS is a great opportunity to sing for other established voice teachers and receive comments from them," said Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, assistant professor of voice. "It often helps reinforce items a student's own voice teacher is dealing with during lessons, or compliment or critique a different aspect altogether."
Students who attended NATS went to master classes, presentations on voice teaching technique, and student auditions.
There were 16 voice classifications for student auditions, which ranged from the high school and college levels to the graduate and professional levels.
Each student sang two or three songs for a panel of three judges who judged singing technique, tone, expression and performance.
The singers were rated on a scale from 70 to 100. An average score of 90 or above advanced the student to semi-finals. The top five advanced to the finals where they were again ranked.
Also attending the conference were vocalists Rachel Foote, Bethany, Okla.; Jessica Holler, Ingalls; Jennifer Hope, McPherson; and Malia Rouse, Hershey, Neb. Accompanists were Kyla Gaeddert, Cordell, Okla., and Sharon Toews, Hesston. Robbin Ludwig, Maize, and Amy McDaniel, Ulysses, also attended.
