Luther students perform exceptionally well at regional NATS competition

Luther College students earned an unprecedented 22 of the 60 honors given at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Auditions. More than 350 high school, college, and graduate students from Iowa competed Oct. 31-Nov. 1. 
   
NATS Auditions begin with a preliminary round in which students sing for a panel of three faculty judges who select singers to move on to the semi-final round.  After the semi-finals, two singers are awarded honorable mention, and the top three singers in each of the 12 divisions move on to the finals. 
   
The top three students then sing again to compete for first, second and third place honors.  NATS was held at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa.
   
Seven Luther students received first place honors:  Matthew Stump, first year men; Aliyah Richling, sophomore women; Michael Penick, sophomore men; Jill Phillips, junior women; Zach Owens, junior men; Matt Tschimperle, senior men and Rachel Grippen, graduate. 
   
Those who received second place honors include Teresa Proctor, first year women; Emily Moore, junior women and Lindsey Johnson, senior women.
   
Third place honors went to Nick Sanches, first year men; Anthony Rohr, sophomore men; Diane Balfany, junior women and Heidi Smorstad, junior women.
   
Eight Luther students received honorable mention.  Allison Alpers, Carah Clafin and Kristina Dudley, first year women; Drew Wojciehowski, first year men; Camille Welter, sophomore women; Alex Redding, sophomore men; Maggie Boland, junior women and Laura Krumm, senior women.
   
An additional 21 Luther singers were semi-finalists in the competition after advancing through the preliminary round.
   
NATS, founded in 1944, is now the largest association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 6,500 members in over 27 countries around the world.  Its goal is to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art while promoting vocal education and research at all levels.