Released: November 2, 2008
Lincoln, Neb. - With 22 finalists, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Music was the most successful participating school in the 2008 National Association of the Teachers of Singing's (NAST) West Central Regional Vocal Auditions, held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Kearney, Neb.
Twenty-four colleges and universities participated in the competition, and 333 students participated in the three-day auditions.
"UNL students and pianists brought a superb level of artistry to their NATS vocal auditions this year," said Senior Lecturer Alisa Belflower. "UNL students winning 22 awards established a new pinnacle of artistic achievement at this annual event."
In addition, UNL was awarded the two highest honors of the annual conference. Michael Cotton, UNL's staff accompanist, was named "Accompanist of the Year" in recognition of his artistic excellence and collaborative musicianship. He was selected among the 57 accompanists who participated.
UNL Bachelor of Music major Bryan McKnight received 2008 Singer of the Year honors when his performance in the musical theatre finals was selected by guest artist Marjorie Stephens as the most outstanding vocal performance in all of the final auditions.
This was the first year that both honors were awarded to the same university.
"Our pianists and vocalists added significant luster to UNL's reputation for excellence in vocal performance," Belflower said.
| UNL Winners | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hometown | Name | Category Place |
| Ankeny, IA | Dana Cisna | Sophomore Women Semi-Finalist |
| Auburn, KS | Paige Whitaker | Junior Women Semi-Finalist - Upper College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Bellevue, NE | John Gieringer | Junior Men 4th |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | Adam Fieldson | Junior Men 1st - Upper College Musical Theatre 2nd |
| Col. Springs, CO | Brett Guster | Sophomore Men 5th - Lower College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Des Moines, IA | Allison Harvey | First-year Women 1st |
| Eldora, IA | Elizabeth Neuerburg | Graduate Women 1st |
| Grand Island, NE | Shani Daws | Sophomore Women Semi-Finalist |
| Hallam, NE | Dustin Paugh | Upper College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Kansas City, MO | Stuart Richey | Junior Men 3rd - Upper College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Lincoln, NE | Arica Coleman | First-year Women 4th - Lower College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Lincoln, NE | Jessie Cotton | Graduate Women Semi-Finalist |
| Lincoln, NE | Allison Frenzel | Junior Women 2nd - Upper College Musical Theatre 3rd |
| Lincoln, NE | Sam Hartley | Sophomore Men 3rd - Lower College Musical Theatre 2nd |
| Lincoln, NE | Sara Linde | Non-Traditional 3rd |
| Lincoln, NE | Kyle Sandall | Graduate Men 2nd |
| Lincoln, NE | Nicholas Soutsos | Graduate Men 3rd |
| Lincoln, NE | Kellyn Wooten | Soph. Women Semi-Finalist - Lower College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Manchester, IA | Cami Philgreen | Sophomore Women Semi-Finalist - Lower College Musical Theatre 1st |
| Manchester, IA | Jon Sill | First-year Men 3rd - Lower College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Omaha, NE | Dan Beard | Senior Men Honorable Mention |
| Omaha, NE | Jessie Beran | Senior Women 1st - Upper College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Omaha, NE | Melanie Holm | First-year Women Semi-Finalist |
| Papillion, NE | Tyler Buglewicz | Sophomore Men 2nd |
| San Antonio, TX | Adria Caffaro | Sophomore Women 1st - Lower College Musical Theatre Semi-Finalist |
| Urbandale, IA | Bryan McKnight | Upper College Musical Theatre 1st - 2008 Singer of the Year |