Dana School of Music student and alumna win top honors at Fall NATS Ohio Chapter Student Auditions

YSU Dana School of Music student Erika Walker and alumna Rachel Gardner earned first and second place, respectively, at the Fall 2024 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Ohio Chapter Student Auditions held Saturday, Oct. 19 at Kent State University.

Students of Professor of Voice Misook Yun, both Walker and Gardner placed in the Adult Classical – Treble Voices category. Walker is a second-year Master of Music, Vocal Performance student, and Gardner graduated with her Master of Music degree in May 2024.

NATS Student Auditions are held annually each fall with the goal to inspire and encourage students and teachers to continue their singing practice. The event provides a supportive atmosphere to competitors, allowing them to receive constructive feedback on their performance from a panel of experienced adjudicators.

Walker and Gardner’s success follows the announcement that two YSU Musical Theatre students, Brooke May and Ryan Bedi, were awarded first place in their respective performance categories at the 2024 NATS Tri-State Chapter “Student Auditions” Competition, held Saturday, Oct. 5 at West Virginia University. The Tri-State Chapter of NATS encompasses Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and West Virginia.

The success of all four students highlights the strength of Cliffe College’s programs, reflecting the dedication students have to their training and the amount of support provided by faculty members.

For more information, contact Katie Merrill, Cliffe College Coordinator of Community Engagement and Events, at 330.941.2307 or kamerrill@ysu.edu.