Under the supervision and guidance of Tracelyn Gesteland, Ph.D., associate professor of music at USD, and Brandon Hendrickson, assistant professor of music, students participated in the South Dakota state chapter NATS competition in Brookings on Saturday, April 2. NATS encourages the highest standards of the vocal art and ethical principles in the teaching of singing. It is the largest of its kind, located in 30 countries with more than 7,000 members.

The winners: De Shonté Helm, Elizabeth Wensmann, Brody Krogman, Eldon Warner, Dana Carlson, Hannah Lambertz, Jerry Holbrook III, Emily Vidler, Noah Temple, Alia Nix, Kirsten Wahl, Rachael Biggerstaff and Marty Balmer. Pianists Deanna Wehrspann, Diane Van Den Oever, Susanne Harmon and Spencer Smith accompanied the students in the competition and helped the participants throughout the event.

Gesteland's students:

  • 1st place -- Upper Women's Musical Theatre- De Shonté Helm
  • 1st place -- Lower Women's Musical Theatre- Elizabeth Wensmann
  • 2nd place -- Graduate Classical- Dana Carlson
  • 2nd place -- Senior Women Classical- Hannah Lambertz
  • 2nd place -- Junior Women Classical- De Shonté Helm
  • 2nd place -- Upper Women's Musical Theatre- Hannah Lambertz
  • 3rd place (tie) -- Lower Women's Musical Theatre- Alia Nix
  • 3rd place (tie) -- Lower Women's Musical Theatre- Kirsten Wahl
  • Honorable Mention -- Junior Women Classical- Rachael Biggerstaff
  • Honorable Mention -- Upper Women's Musical Theatre- Dana Carlson
  • Honorable Mention -- Upper Women's Musical Theatre- Rachael Biggerstaf

Hendrickson's students:

  • 1st place -- Junior Men- Brody Krogman
  • 1st place -- Freshmen Men- Eldon Warner
  • 2nd place -- Senior Men- Jerry Holbrook III
  • 2nd place -- Sophomore Women- Emily Vidler
  • 2nd place -- Freshmen Men- Noah Temple
  • 2nd place -- Lower Men's Musical Theatre- Eldon Warner
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