Ouachita Stories

Nine Ouachita Baptist University students were named finalists at the 39^th annual Arkansas National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference held at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., earlier this month.

NATS was founded in 1944 and is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with thousands of members in nearly 30 countries. NATS offers a variety of lifelong learning experiences to its members. Ouachita students participated in the Arkansas conference, where students had the opportunity to attend recitals, master classes and professional workshops and presentations in addition to the competitive auditions. Jubilant Sykes, a Grammy-nominated baritone, was the featured artist for the conference.

“NATS is always a really great experience,” said Victoria Mantooth, a senior vocal performance major from Sherwood, Ark. “The guest artist for this particular NATS event was especially wonderful.”

“Jubilant’s master class really taught me ways to enhance the quality of my voice,” explained Seth Russell, a sophomore vocal performance major from Crossett Ark. “I would say NATS has shaped me to understand the meaning of what performance is really all about and has made me more mature in understanding why God has given me such a gift.”

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

Arkadelphia, Ark. – Caitlin Secrest, a senior vocal performance student of Glenda and Jon Secrest, earned third place in the senior women division and fourth place in the upper music theatre division.

Bella Vista, Ark. – Beth Crisler, a freshman vocal performance student of Suzetta Glenn, earned second place in the freshman women division.

Bonnerdale, Ark. – Tori Clark, a sophomore choral music education student of Robin Williams, earned second place in the sophomore women division.

Crossett, Ark. – Seth Russell, a sophomore vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the sophomore men division. Russell was also a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Frisco, Texas – Alexis Morgan, a freshman choral music education student of Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the lower music theatre division. Morgan was also a semifinalist in the freshman women division.

Glen Carbon, Ill. – Joel Rogier, a senior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned fifth place in the upper music theatre division. Rogier was also a semifinalist in the senior men division.

Nixa, Mo. – Josh Wayne, a junior choral music education student of Jon Secrest, earned first place in the upper music theatre division and second place in the junior men division.

Sherwood, Ark. – Victoria Mantooth, a senior vocal performance student of Glenda Secrest, earned first place in the senior women division. 

Texarkana, Texas – Tara Clem, a junior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the lower music theatre division.

Other Ouachita students named NATS semifinalists, in order of hometown, include:

Austin, Texas – Kimberley Attaway, a freshman choral music education student of Becky Morrison, was a semifinalist in the freshman women division.

Camden, Ark. – Evan Wheatley, a freshman music student of Glenda Secrest, was a semifinalist in the freshman men division and the lower music theatre division. 

Fort Worth, Texas – Jillian Turner, a junior vocal performance and music student of Glenda Secrest, was a semifinalist in the junior women division. 

Frisco, Texas – Katelyn Mason, a freshman vocal performance student of Maggie Garrett, was a semifinalist in the freshman women division and the lower music theatre division.

Lewisvile, Texas – Angela Bowen, a freshman music student of Robin Williams, was a semifinalist in the freshman women division.

Maumelle, Ark. – Hailey Weiner, a sophomore musical theatre student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

McKinney, Texas – Lizzie Shelby, a freshman vocal performance student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semifinalist in the freshman women division. 

Plumerville, Ark. – Breanna Bucko, a junior choral music education student of Jon Secrest, was a semifinalist in the junior women division.

Springdale, Ark. – Mitchell Yost, a junior music student of John Briggs, was a semifinalist in the junior men division.

Tyler, Texas – Hannah Bauman, a freshman worship arts student of David Stanley, was a semifinalist in the freshman women division and the lower music theatre division.

Van Buren, Ark. – Jessica Smith, a senior musical theatre student of Robin Williams, was a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

White Hall, Ark. – Bethany Gere, a junior musical theatre student of Maggie Garrett, was a semifinalist in the upper music theatre division.

Ouachita students were accompanied by the following OBU staff accompanists: John Briggs, Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker.

The OBU vocal faculty who worked with Ouachita students to prepare for this conference include: John Briggs, adjunct instructor of music; Dr. Maggie Garrett, assistant professor of music; Suzetta Glenn, lecturer in music; Dr. Glenda Secrest, professor of music; Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of the vocal studies program and professor of music; David Stanley, instructor of music; and Robin Williams, lecturer in music.

For more information about NATS or Ouachita’s vocal studies program, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at [email protected] or (870) 245-5134.

By Jessica Stewart