Limestone College Students Advance In NATS Vocal Competitions

Five Limestone College students performed recently in a vocal competition at the state level and qualified to advance into the Mid-Atlantic Regionals.

The students who competed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Voice Competition on the state level included sophomore Bre Surratt, sophomore Valerie Turner, junior J.R. Bloomer, senior Zach Potter, and junior Jamaas Britton. Professor of Music Dr. David Thompson and Voice Adjunct Faculty member Dr. Cathy Siarris accompanied the students. Turner’s classical audition took place at Bob Jones University in Greenville. The four others took part in the musical theatre audition held at Converse College.

At the Mid-Atlantic Regionals held at Towson University earlier this month, Surratt placed second in the Music Theatre Women division. Bloomer finished in second place in Music Theatre Men, while Potter finished fifth in the same category. The regional included vocalists from Maryland/Washington, DC; North Carolina; South Carolina; and Virginia. 

“We are proud of our students and their accomplishments and we look forward to preparing for the next round of competition,” Siarris said.

Surratt, Bloomer, and Potter are now eligible to enter the next phase of competition, the YouTube Round, which encompasses all regions of the United States. Designated judges from around the country will evaluate this online round.  A total of 15 national semifinalists will be chosen for each category and those singers will compete in The National Student Auditions in June 2019 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.  

NATS is the largest association of teachers of singing in the world with over 7,000 members from the United States, Canada, and 35 other countries.