Ten Southeastern vocal performance students and one alumnus placed at the Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition held recently at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Four of these participants took home first place awards.
Sara Cage of Baton Rouge was the first student in Southeastern history to receive three first place awards at the competition: in the senior women’s division, Hall Johnson spiritual category, and women’s upper level music theatre. Cage additionally received the Governor’s Award as the most promising student at the competition.
Also receiving first place nods were William Dopp of Independence, sophomore men; Caitlyn Rodrigue of Thibodaux, sophomore women; and Joshua Staes of Baton Rouge, older advanced men.
Other students recognized at the competition include Andrew Butler of River Ridge, second place sophomore men; Cody Sires, now a Southeastern alumnus of Violet, second place older student adult women and men; Alfred Harper of New Orleans, third place junior men; Jody Bennett of Hammond, fourth place junior men; Ryan Blanchfield of Hammond, fourth place younger advanced men; Camryn Rodrigue of Thibodaux, fourth place sophomore women; and Brennan Simmons of Hammond, honorable mention senior men.
The auditions were judged by voice teachers from the NATS Louisiana Chapter. Students participated in lectures and master classes as part of the conference.
