Ouachita Stories

Thirteen Ouachita Baptist University students were recently named finalists in the annual Arkansas state National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions held at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.

“NATS is a wonderful experience to go through when you put in the time and effort it requires, which means practice, practice, practice,” said Victoria Mantooth, a freshman vocal performance from Sherwood, Ark. Mantooth, a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, placed second in the freshman women division. “The opportunity of watching some of the very best vocal students from all across the state was a huge motivation to work a lot harder.”

“Placing at NATS reenergizes my desire to practice,” said Rachel Harris, a junior musical theatre and vocal performance major from Springdale, Ark. “Sometimes you hit a wall in your performing life when you feel like you are not getting better. Placing at NATS is a wonderful motivator to help you push past that wall, which in turn makes you a better performer.” Harris, a student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, placed second in the junior women division.

Thirty-eight Ouachita voice principals participated in the auditions with competitors from more than 10 public and private universities across the state.

“This particular accomplishment has given me more self-respect, confidence and an eagerness for learning more about music and the voice and has proven to me that hard work really does pay off,” said Alyssa Reynolds, a sophomore vocal performance major from Sanger, Texas. “This has given me a renewed hunger for developing my skills and talents as a musician, vocalist and student. This is just the beginning of all that I am going to learn and experience here at OBU.” Reynolds, a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the lower music theatre division.

Elisabeth Hipp, a senior vocal performance major from Memphis, Tenn., agreed. “It's always exciting to find out your number is in the semi-finals and then finals and then finally to be named the first-place winner,” she said. “There was a lot of great singing so I am definitely honored to have won.” Hipp, also a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned first place in the senior women’s division.

“I was extremely excited when I heard my name called for finals. I'm very encouraged by this accomplishment,” said Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance and theatre major from Tyler, Texas. “When you succeed at NATS, it helps confirm that you're in the right major and are going about it the right way. This motivates me because I did well, but I know I can do even better. My goal is to do my very best; now I have something even better to strive for next time.” Johnson, a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned third place in the junior women division.

The following students were NATS finalists, in order of hometown:

Arlington, Texas—Xavier Lagunas, a junior musical theatre student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned first place in the junior men division and third place in the upper music theatre division.

Arkadelphia, Ark.—Caitlin Secrest, a freshman vocal performance student of Drs. Glenda and Jon Secrest, earned first place in the lower music theatre division and third place in the freshman women division.

Colorado Springs, Colo.—Bethany Swiontek, a junior musical theatre student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned second place in the sophomore women division and was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Dalworthington Gardens, Texas—Andrew Miller, a junior vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned first place in the younger advanced men division.

Glen Carbon, Ill.—Joel Rogier, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned first place in the freshman men division.

Memphis, Tenn.—Elisabeth Hipp, a senior vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned first place in the senior women division.

Overland Park, Kan.—James Wood, a sophomore music and mass communications student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the sophomore men division.

Sanger, Texas—Alyssa Reynolds, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the lower music theatre division.

Sherwood, Ark.—Victoria Mantooth, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned second place in the freshman women division.

Springdale, Ark.—Rachel Harris, a junior musical theatre and vocal performance student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned second place in the junior women division.

Sungai Petani, Malaysia- John Tneoh, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned first place in the sophomore men division.

Tyler, Texas- Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned third place in the junior women division and was a semi-finalist in upper music theatre division.

Wynne, Ark.—Jacob Watson, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned first place in the upper music theatre division.

The following students were also honored as NATS semi-finalists, in order of hometown:

Bryant, Ark.—Angela Morgan, a freshman musical theatre student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

DeSoto, Texas—Gemma Guiomard, a freshman music theatre and studio art student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women and lower music theatre divisions.

Garland, Texas—Carolyn Baker, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women and lower music theatre divisions. Lauren Casteel, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division. Meredith Martin, a freshman choral music education student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women and lower music theatre divisions.

Grapevine, Texas—Shay Michael, a junior music theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Hot Springs, Ark.—Houston Murray, a freshman choral music education student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division.

Justin, Texas—Ashley Bundy, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Little Rock, Ark.—Gabriela Baltzley, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Mesquite, Texas—Bailey Morris, a freshman choral music education student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Morrilton, Ark.—Joseph Hurst, a freshman music student of Mary Worthen, was a semi-finalist in the freshmen men division.

Racine, Wis.—Amanda Murray, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Roanoke, Texas—Bekah Anthony, a sophomore church music student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women division.

Rowlett, Texas—DeCarl Jones, a freshman vocal performance student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Saginaw, Mich.—Hannah Garner, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women division.

Searcy, Ark.—Lynley Vire, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division.

Spotslyvania, Va.—Sean Wilson, a senior vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the senior men division.

Springdale, Ark.—Brooke Brackett, a freshman musical theatre student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Whitehouse, Texas—Justin Ratliff, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men and lower music theatre divisions.

The students were accompanied by John Briggs, Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker. For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at [email protected] or (870) 245-5134.

By Meg Gosser