Seaver College Students Receive Top Placing at the Cal-Western Regional Voice Competition and Conference

Eleven Seaver College students earned first-, second-, or third-place awards for vocal performance at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Cal-Western Regional Voice Competition and Conference. Held January 16 to 18 at San José State University, a total of 14 Seaver vocalists participated, representing the college’s music and theatre programs.  

Seaver vocalists receiving top placement

“This achievement alone is a significant honor and reflects the students’ dedication, artistry, and academic excellence, as well as the outstanding scholarship of their instructors,” says Ida Nicolosi assistant instructor of teaching of vocal studies and vocal area coordinator for the music department, who served as faculty lead for the competition participants. “On behalf of the entire voice, music, and theatre departments at Pepperdine, we thank the Office of the Provost, Office of the Dean, and Katy Carr for their continued support of our students, faculty, and programs.”  

The Cal-Western Region of NATS serves as one of the leading professional organizations in the vocal field. After a preliminary round of auditions held online in October and November, representatives from the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah were selected to advance to the in-person semifinal round in San José. Pepperdine students from the voice studios of Seaver music faculty Nicolosi, Natalie Buickians, Keith Colclough, and Suzanne Falletti were selected. 

Students performed before an audience of colleagues from other collegiate music programs throughout the region as well as private vocal teachers and their high school-aged students. For the educators in the audience, Nicolosi and Colclough presented research on bridging gaps between vocal technique and dramatic interpretation and on preparing portfolios for young professionals, respectively. 

Seaver vocalists were greatly applauded on stage

 

Including the 11 top finishers, two additional Seaver students won advancement to the NATS National Finals by placing top five in their respective vocal categories. If these students choose to attend the finals in San Antonio, Texas, from July 3 to 5, they will perform the same repertoire prepared for the semifinals. Such selections include anglophone and foreign language arias, art songs, or musical theatre compositions. Each requires mastery of pronunciation in languages such as Italian, French, and German as well as digging deep into characterization to best embody the narrative and emotionality of each song. 

For bass singer and Seaver junior Nicholas Gerding, participating in the NATS conference reinforced the power and relevance of the performing arts. He placed first in the category of Classical Upper College Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass. 

“It was an honor to be a part of this experience,” Gerding shares. “I was accompanied by such amazing singers and performers, and it was such a pleasure to share the stage with them. Seeing the talent in each and every category, I gained a sense of hope for the future of the performing arts.”

Echoing Gerding’s sentiments, Seaver sophomore Madelyn Rempel who earned first place in the category of Lower College Classical Treble adds, “Getting to go to the NATS Cal-Western Regional Conference was a great learning experience. It was an amazing opportunity in fellowship with friends while showing how hard we work here at Pepperdine.” 

Seaver College Students’ Competition Results:

Lower College Classical Treble – Group 1

• First Place: Grace Davis

• Third Place: Magnolia Swire

Lower College Classical Treble – Group 2

• First Place: Madelyn Rempel

• Second Place: Marissa Robertson

Upper College Classical Treble

• First Place: Sophia Purcell

• Second Place: Miara Williams

• Third Place: Emma Hirte

Upper College Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass

• First Place: Nicholas Gerding

• Third Place: Noah Doss

Lower College Musical Theatre Treble

• First Place: Magnolia Swire

Lower College Musical Theatre Tenor/Baritone/Bass

• First Place: Blake Schalliol

• Third Place: Parker Teeven