Houston Christianity University (HCU) students triumphed at the annual Vocal Competition for Greater Houston Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) on April 6, 2024, held on the HCU campus in Belin Chapel.
Around 250 singers from Greater Houston area universities, colleges and high schools converged upon the HCU campus to compete in classical and musical theatre categories. Led by Dr. David Kirkwood, Chair of HCU’s Music Department, students performed in the competition and dominated in the classical categories, which were divided by grade level and gender.
HCU had six first place winners, including Joshua Yeates, Jonathan Lee, Nicholas Pappas (under the direction of Dr. Kirkwood) and William Carr, Kynadi Law and CeliaKate Mellett (under the direction of Rachel Elizabeth De Trejo.)
Second place winners from HCU included Sarah Yeates and Caitlyn Pratt led by Dr. Kirkwood; Riley Morton led by Ms. De Trejo; and Michael Hall, led by Angel Romero.
“We also want to recognize our excellent staff pianists and professors of piano who collaborated with our students: Dr. Alina Klimaszewska, Steven Jones, and Benjamin Sieben. We are very proud of our students and the excellent voice training they are receiving,” said Dr. Kirkwood.
In addition to prize money and certificates, HCU’s first place winners have been invited to sing at the NATS Winners’ Recital on May 19, in Belin Chapel on the HCU campus.