From Vermillion With Voice: USD Sings Loud at National Association of Teachers of Singing Auditions
USD competed against Augustana University and South Dakota State University and received the following awards:
Advanced Classical
First place: Cadie Logston, graduate student from Jefferson City, Missouri, majoring in vocal performance
Second place: Clara Norell, graduate student from Jackson, Tennessee, majoring in vocal performance
Third place: Yue Yao, graduate student from Nanping City, China, majoring in vocal performance
Senior Classical Treble
First place: Brooke Hilding, senior from Omaha, Nebraska, majoring in English
Junior Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass
Second place: Michael Arriaza, junior from Schuyler, Nebraska, majoring in vocal performance and music education
Sophomore Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass
First place: Trayden Goodman, sophomore from Akron, Iowa, majoring in vocal performance
Second place: Max Bruguier, sophomore from Mitchell, South Dakota, majoring in music education
Freshman Classical Treble
Second place: Kalli Suing, freshman from Omaha, Nebraska, majoring in music education
Third place: Josephine Chiarello, freshman from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, majoring in music education
Honorable mention: Taya Ritterbush, freshman from Hot Springs, South Dakota, majoring in music performance and music education
Freshman Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass
First place: Broden Schulz, freshman from Mitchell, South Dakota, majoring in music education
Upper College Musical Theatre Treble
First place: Brooke Hilding
Upper College Musical Theatre Tenor/Baritone/Bass
Second place: Michael Arriaza
Lower College Musical Theatre Treble
First place: Emma Breugem, sophomore from Hawarden, Iowa, majoring in elementary education
Lower College Musical Theatre Tenor/Baritone/Bass
Second place: Trayden Goodman
Third place: Broden Schulz
Josephine Chiarello and Taya Ritterbush are students of Daniel Lickteig, DMA, visiting professor of music. Other singers are students of Tracelyn Gesteland, DMA, professor of voice/opera and the Walter A. and Lucy Yoshioka Buhler Endowed Chair.
“We’re incredibly proud of all of the students who participated and represented themselves and USD so beautifully,” said Gesteland. “We’re thrilled that many were recognized with awards, but just as meaningful was the overall level of artistry and the chance to connect with colleagues and students from across the state for a wonderful day of singing.”
Collaborative pianists were staff pianists Jennifer Van Peursem and Nicole Santos, along with guest pianist Linda Conrad and student pianist Anna Mestnik, a senior in music education, from Prior Lake, Minnesota.