Mackenzie Hall won second place room winner and overall winner in the Freshman Women Musical Theatre category. She is pictured with Dr. Rebecca Salter.
More than a dozen students wowed judges and brought accolades home to Reinhardt University following the Georgia National Association of Teachers of Singing competition Nov. 2-3.
Fifteen Reinhardt students and a Creekview High School student who has attended Reinhardt University’s Musical Theatre Camp for two years placed in the competition. About 60 Reinhardt students competed.
Vocal performance major Max Rampley believes while the high scores are wonderful, the reason for performing is to “tell a story and share a piece of ourselves with the audience.” He feels blessed to contribute to a program with that kind of emphasis.
“It’s in everything we do here at Reinhardt: the choirs, the shows and in our wonderful student performers – to be able to soak in the expertise and care of my instructors is a very special thing,” said Rampley. “I’m blessed not only to study under the best teachers, but also with the best people. I’m proud to say that every time I take the stage, I feel more successful and prouder to be a part of the music industry and the Reinhardt music program.”
Associate professor of music Dr. Rebecca Salter said Reinhardt students have a history of performing well at NATS competitions, from the state to the national level.
“The 2018 Georgia NATS Student Auditions was no exception, with three overall winners and numerous room winners,” said Salter. “Our students work diligently in preparation for these competitions, and it is wonderful to see their hard work rewarded.”
In the Freshmen Women Music Theatre category, Mackenzie Hall won second place room winner and overall winner, and Hannah Reich and Elizabeth Andrews both won first place room winner. In the Freshmen Men Music Theatre category, Chris Morgan and Trey Wilkerson won second place room winner.
In the Freshmen Women Classical category, Hannah Reich won first place room winner and overall winner, Andrews won second place room winner and Mason Greer won third place room winner. In the Freshmen Men Classical category, Jeffrey Unger won first place room winner.
In the Sophomore Women Music Theatre category, Victoria Hill won first place room winner. In the Sophomore Men Music Theatre category, Rampley won second place room winner and Jonathan Bynoe won third place room winner.
In the Sophomore Women Classical category, Hill won first place room winner and overall winner. In the Sophomore Men Classical category, Rampley won first place room winner, Slade Searcy won second place room winner and John Pawlenko won third place room winner.
In the Junior Women Musical Theatre and the Junior Women Classical categories, Kayla Thomas won second place room winner.
In the Senior Men Classical category, Dylan Cronan won second place room winner and Michael Vavases won third place room winner. In the Adult Women Classical category, Randi Ferrara won second place room winner.
Creekview High school senior Riley Ortega placed first place room winner and overall winner in the Classical and Musical Theatre categories. Ortega has participated in Reinhardt’s Musical Theatre Camp the past two summers.
Reinhardt’s School of Performing Arts currently has approximately 120 students. Audition dates for future students include Dec. 8, 2018 and Jan. 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 16 and April 13, 2019. For additional information about the School of Performing Arts, please see Reinhardt.edu/SOPA.
