USD Graduate Student Wins First Place in Voice Competition
Kaitlin Pearson, USD graduate student in vocal performance from Gretna, Nebraska, won first place in the West Central division of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Competition in voice, qualifying her to advance to the national competition in Spokane, Washington, on March 17-19.
The West Central division consists of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado. Pearson, mezzo-soprano, presented 30 minutes of arias and art songs in French, German, Italian and English, and she will perform the program again at the national competition.
Pearson studies voice with Tracelyn Gesteland, D.M.A., associate professor of voice/opera and the Walter A. and Lucy Yoshioka Buhler Endowed Chair.
“Kaitlin is a wonderful artist and is well deserving of this incredible honor,” said Gesteland. “I am very proud to have her represent USD, our state and our region on the national stage. She has a very bright future.”
