Institutions in attendance included USD, Augustana College, South Dakota State University and Morningside University.

“The NATS Auditions are a wonderful means for music students to have an opportunity to sing as solo artists for adjudicators, as well as their peers from other universities,” said Tracelyn Gesteland, DMA, professor of voice/opera and the Walter A. and Lucy Yoshioka Buhler Endowed Chair. “Our students represented themselves and USD very well, and they received valuable performance experience in a positive, supportive environment.”

Results from the studio of Tracelyn Gesteland, DMA, include the following.

First Place Awards

  • Advanced Classical Treble – Abigail Beckler, graduate vocal performance major from Orange City, Iowa
  • Fourth/Fifth Year Classical Treble – Denisse Balandran, senior vocal performance major from Storm Lake, Iowa
  • Fourth/Fifth Year Classical TBB – Brian Shirley, senior musical arts and business major from Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Upper College Musical Theatre Treble – Denisse Balandran
  • Upper College Musical Theatre TBB – Brian Shirley
  • Lower College Musical Theatre TBB – Jacob Olson, sophomore music education major from Sioux Falls

Second Place Awards

  • First Year Classical TBB – Michael Arriaza, freshman vocal performance and music education major from Schuyler, Nebraska
  • Upper College Musical Theatre Treble – Elisabeth Peirce, senior vocal performance and music education major from Elk Point, South Dakota
  • Lower College Musical Theatre TBB – Michael Arriaza

Third Place Awards

  • Fourth/Fifth Year Classical Treble – Elisabeth Peirce
  • Second Year Classical TBB – Jacob Olson
  • Upper College Musical Theatre Treble – Maleah Wright, junior vocal performance and music education major from Kearney, Nebraska

Honorable Mention

  • First Year Classical Treble – Renae Hass, freshman vocal performance major from Madison, South Dakota

Results from the studio of Juan Carlos Mendoza, DMA, assistant professor of voice/opera, include the following.

First Place Award

  • Lower College Musical Theatre Treble – Brooke Hilding, sophomore musical arts major from Omaha, Nebraska

Second Place Award

  • Third Year Treble – Alma Sejmenović, junior music industry and technology major from Sioux Falls

Honorable Mention

  • Fourth/Fifth Year Classical Treble – Deanne Ekstrand, senior music education and piano performance major from Pocahontas, Iowa

Collaborative pianists were Deanna Wehrspann, Jennifer Van Peursem and Carson Covey.

Two USD voice students also competed in the North Central regional rounds of the NATS Auditions and qualified to advance to the national level. This round was held virtually by video audition in March. The students, from the studio of Tracelyn Gesteland, who will continue to the national round of competition in Late April include the following.

  • Advanced Classical Treble – Abigail Beckler
  • Third/Fourth/Fifth Year Classical Treble – Denisse Balandran
Press Contact
Hanna DeLange
Contact Email usdnews@usd.edu
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