Ouachita to present “The Drowsy Chaperone” April 19-22
By Breanne Goodrum
April 2, 2012
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208
ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Division of Music will present The Drowsy Chaperone, a musical within a comedy that pays homage to the golden age of musical theatre. Performances will be held in Jones Performing Arts Center on Ouachita’s campus at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 19-21, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22. Tickets are $10 each.

“The Drowsy Chaperone is truly one of the wittiest, craziest shows I have ever gotten a chance to direct,” said Daniel Inouye, OBU assistant professor of theatre arts and director of the production. “I also love this show because of how genuinely funny the material is as well as the wonderful opportunity the show gives to our young actors to play broad, quirky characters.”

The show, which is accompanied by a live orchestra, begins with a die-hard musical comedy fan dusting off his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called The Drowsy Chaperone. The album magically bursts to life in his apartment and the audience is immersed in the glamorous, comical tale of a celebrity bride and her hilarious wedding day.

“This is certainly going to be one fantastic and memorable show for people of all ages, and I know that our audiences will easily fall just as much in love with the characters and the story as we have,” said Bethany Swiontek, a senior musical theatre major from Colorado Springs, Colo., who stars as Janet Vand de Graff.

“I think our cast really enjoys being able to put our own personal touch on the story,” Swiontek added, calling the show “pure fun. … The songs and dances leave you not only wanting more but also wanting to jump right in and join the fun in the musical.”

Sincereturning to school in January, members of the cast and crew have been working diligently. “The cast as a whole is incredibly strong and gifted,” Swiontek said. “Each person brings something different to this show and in their own unique way adds to its intoxicating and contagious charisma.”

Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music, serves as the show’s musical director and publicity supervisor. Grace Whitaker, a recent OBU graduate from Hillsboro,Texas, serves as choreographer for the production. Mary Handiboe, OBU associate professor of theatre arts, serves as costume designer for the show, and Eric Phillips, OBU professor of theatre arts, serves as technical director and scenic designer. Also assisting with light and sound design is Joey Licklider, manager of Jones Performing Arts Center.

Lead members of the cast include Swiontek; Ben Stidham, a freshman musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas, as Robert Martin; Garrett Whitehead, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas, as George; Stewart Kelly, a junior church music major from Keller, Texas, as Feldzeig; Gabi Baltzley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., and Caitlin Secrest, a juniorvocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark., are double cast as Kitty; Heather White, a senior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, as Mrs. Tottendale; Cody Myers, a junior psychology and musical theatre double major from Van Buren, Ark., as Underling; Joel Rogier, a junior vocal performancemajor from Glen Carbon, Ill., as Aldolpho; Shay Michael, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, and Hannah Garner, a junior vocal performance major from Saginaw, Mich., are double cast as the Chaperone; Ben Perry, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., Robby Taylor, a freshman musical theatre major from Harriman, Tenn., and Jalin Wesley, a freshman musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., will play the Gangsters; Ashley Bundy, a sophomore vocal performance major from Justin, Texas, and Lola McClendon, a senior musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., are double cast as Trix the Aviatrix; and Joe Ochterbeck, a sophomore theatre arts major from Maumelle, Ark., will play the Superintendent.

Members of the chorus include: Timothy Drennan, a sophomore musical theatre major from Paron, Ark.; Truett Dishman, a freshman musical theatre major from Devine, Texas; Kayla Esmond, a junior musical theatre major from Burleson, Texas; Gemma Guiomard, a senior musical theatre major from DeSoto, Texas; Shannon Huntsman, a freshman speech communication and theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Alison Johnson, a senior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La.; DeCarlJones, a sophomore vocal performance major from Rowlett, Texas; Nicole Mattson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas; Amanda Murray, a senior musical theatre major from Racine, Wis.; Alexis Pace, a senior musical theatre major from Sugar Land, Texas; Moriah Patterson, a senior musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark.; Blaine Surber, a freshman musical theatre major from Sulphur Springs, Texas; MaryLacey Thomson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas; Betsy Wilson, a junior musical theatre major from Fairmont, Neb.; and Tyler Wisdom, a freshman musical theatre major from Russellville,Ark.

In addition to what the audience sees on the stage, there are more jobs to be done behind the scenes. Students cast in the production, along with the main production crew do work outside of the spotlight to get the show ready for its main performance.

TylerHerron, a junior theatre arts major from Rosston, Ark., serves as the show’s stage manager. C.J. Bernard, a sophomore theatre arts major from Sherwood, Ark. and Sarah Davis, a junior theatre arts major from Bedford, Texas, serve as the show’s assistant stage managers. Breanne Goodrum, a junior mass communications and sociology majorfrom Fort Smith, Ark., serves as publicity manager. Kathryn Kellogg, a senior musical theatre and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark., and Rachel Harris, a senior musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., will coordinate lobby décor and ushers. Moriah Patterson, a senior musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark., will assist as dance captain. Lacey Johnson, a junior history major from Rancho Nuevo, Calif., will lead the costume crew. Alison Smith, a freshman musical theatre and psychology double major from Jonesboro, Ark., and Brooke Brackett, a sophomore musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., are hair and makeup crew coordinators. Jordan Miller, a junior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, and Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre majorfrom Little Rock, Ark., are properties crew coordinators. Cami Willis, a freshman musical theatre major from Flower Mound, Texas, serves as sound shifting crew head and will take a lead role with lighting and video projections.

The Drowsy Chaperone debuted in 1998 in Toronto and opened on Broadway in 2006. The book was written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, and the music and lyrics are by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. In 2006, it won five Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased by visiting or calling the JPAC box office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. or may be purchased online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. OBU students receive one free ticket with their student IDs. For more information, contact the box office at (870) 245-5563 from 1-5 p.m. Weekdays.

Grace Johnson, Ouachita senior, named finalist in
Trinity Presents Collegiate Performance Showcase
By Nicci Fillinger
March 16, 2012

For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University student Grace Johnson will compete as a finalist in the Trinity Presents Collegiate Performance Showcase sponsored by the Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark., on Sunday, April 1 at 6 p.m.  Three other Ouachita students received honorable mentions in the competition. The showcase is free and open to the public.

Johnson, a senior vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas, was selected as one of five finalists in the competition. She is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music. Johnson received a $500 award for being selected as a finalist and has the opportunity to win an additional $1,000 at the Showcase Final.

“I feel very honored to have been selected,” Johnson said. “It is a huge blessing! I’m excited to perform the music that I’ve been working so hard on again and that I get to represent Ouachita in this competition.”

The five finalists include Johnson; Qiao Mei (Anna) Cheng, a pianist from the University of Central Arkansas; Darren Drone, a singer from Arkansas Tech University; Andreas Oestes, an oboe player from the University of Central Arkansas; andRebecca Rollene, a singer from John Brown University.

In the showcase, each finalist will present a 12-minute performance. A panel of guest judgeswill review the performances and select the overall winner. OBU graduate Jacob Watson, the winner of last year’s competition, will perform after intermission.

Johnson will perform “La Danza” by Rossini, “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka by Dvořák and “Hello! Oh, Margaret, It Is You!” from The Telephone by Menotti.

“Grace continues the strong showing of finalists being selected from OBU,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music and coordinator of OBU’s vocal studies program. Ouachita students have won the competition two years in a row with Jacob Watson winning in 2011 and Kyle Huey winning in 2010. In addition, OBU graduate Elisabeth Hipp was selected as a finalist both years.

Three OBU students also were selected this year as honorable mention recipients. Alexis Pace, a junior musical theatre major from Sugar Land, Texas; Joel Rogier, a sophomore vocal performance major from Glen Carbon, Ill.; and Caitlin Secrest, a sophomore vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark., were chosen among the 11 artists recognized with honorable mentions.

“The quality of the musicianship displayed in the audition videos was truly outstanding,” said Robert Hughes, the showcase coordinator. “This made the process of choosing only five finalists very challenging.

“This year, in addition to male and female vocalists, we received applications from performers of the piano, oboe, cello, classical guitar, flute, marimba and tuba/euphonium,” he said. “This wide range of musical disciplines adds to the difficulty faced by the selection committee. Not only must they choose the best from within a genre (for example, the best female vocalist) but they must compare the talents, musicianship and potential performances across disciplines. They must pick ‘the best of the best’ to put together a showcase that will provide opportunity for the performers and an enjoyable evening’sentertainment for our patrons.”

For more information about the Collegiate Performance Showcase, visit www.tumclr.org. For ticket information, call (501) 377-1161.

Ouachita alum Jacob Watson named finalist in international vocal competition

By Nicci Fillinger
March 16, 2012
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University graduate Jacob Watson has been selected as a finalist in an international theatre singing competition that has sent winners on to play major roles on Broadway and perform with prestigious opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera.

The Lotte Lenya Competition, sponsored annually by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, is a renowned competition for young artists, ages 19-30, who specialize in singing both opera and musical theatre repertoire.

Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music and coordinator of Ouachita’s vocal studies program, said the competition is “among the most prestigious and significant of the vocal competitions held each spring.”

“This is a competition that I have wanted to be a part of since my freshman year at OBU,” Watson said.

“It’s a culmination of everything I’ve worked for at OBU – becoming the best storyteller I can in everything I do, whether it be opera or musical theatre,” he said. “It feels incredible to be recognized for that and to be given even more encouragement to keep growing and pushing myself even more.

“Ultimately, I want to do my absolute best and bring these characters and this music to life on stage,” Watson added. “I feel like I have already competed on an extremely high level, and I want to push myself to get to an even higher level of performance for the next round.”

Being selected as a finalist in this competition has the potential to have a major impact on Watson’s future.

“I have heard the Lenya competition referred to as the MET auditions for crossover artists,” Secrest said. “Jacob will be heard and recognized by casting directors and musical dignitaries from throughout the world as a result of this honor. Itcould have an incredibly positive effect on his singing and acting career.”

Previous winners of the Lotte Lenya Competition perform regularly in major theaters,opera houses and concert halls around the globe.

Watson was selected to be one of 12 finalists from a group of 29 semi-finalists after auditions in New York March 9-10.

For the semi-final round of auditions, each contestant prepared four selections: anaria from the opera or operetta repertoire, two songs from the American musical theater repertoire (one from the pre-1968 “Golden Age” and one from 1968 or later) and a theatrical selection by Kurt Weill. Watson performed Franz Lehar’s “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” from Das Land des Lachelns, Andrew Lippa’s “What Is It About Her?” from The Wild Party, Frank Loesser’s “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from Guys and Dolls and “Lonely House from Street Scene” by Kurt Weill.

Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark and Vicki Shaghoian of the Yale School of Drama faculty served as coach-adjudicators, evaluating and working with each of the contestants.

Finalists included Watson; Christine Amon, a mezzo-soprano from Bowling Green, Ohio; Natalie Ballenger, a soprano from Santa Cruz, Calif.; Douglas Carpenter, a baritone from Woodbridge, Conn.; Maria Failla, a soprano from Scarsdale, N.Y.; Matthew Grills, a tenor from Rochester, N.Y.; Justin Hopkins, a bass-baritone from Philadelphia, Pa.; Briana Elyse Hunter, a soprano from New York, N.Y.;Megan Marino, a mezzo-soprano from Malvern, Pa.; Cecelia Tickton, a mezzo-soprano from Roosevelt, N.J.; Mollie Vogt-Welch, a soprano/belt from New York, N.Y.; and Nicky Wuchinger, a bari-tenor from Berlin, Germany.

These talented artists will compete for top prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500 in the finals, to be held on April 21, 2012, at the Eastman School of Music inRochester, N.Y. Three-time Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker, Broadway and Encores! music director Rob Berman andRodgers & Hammerstein Organization President and American Theater Wing Chairman of the Board Theodore S. Chapin will serve as judges.

The twelve finalists will perform their entire programs for the judges on April 21 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. At 8 p.m., the competition will culminate in an evening concert featuring all of the finalists, followed by the announcement of thewinners. Both the daytime finals and evening concert are free and open to the public and will be held in Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

For more information about the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, visit http://www.kwf.org/.

Seven Ouachita students named finalists at regional NATS auditions
By Lara Overman
March 2, 2012
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. —Seven Ouachita Baptist University students were named finalists and 14 others were named semi-finalists last weekend in the annual Southern Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions held at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

“The National Association of Teachers of Singing is an organization whose goal is to promote elite singing and quality teaching,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of OBU’s vocal studies program and professor of music. “It assists them in developing their artistry, their skill set and confidence for performing and more fully informs them of the requirements for elite vocalism.”

“To get jobs in the performing world, you have to audition and you have to do it frequently,” said Rachel Harris, who placed first in the upper musical theatre division. “Knowing how to audition well is key to succeeding in the world of performance.”

“The results show that OBU continues to enjoy success in terms of educating and training voice principals who are pursuing professional music degrees in the Division of Music,” Secrest said.

Staff accompanists John Briggs, Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker accompanied Ouachita’s students on piano for the auditions.

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

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

Garland, Texas—Meredith Martin, a sophomore choral music education and vocal performance student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned second place in the sophomore women division and third place in the lower music theatre division.

Glen Carbon, Ill.—Joel Rogier, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned second place in the sophomore men division. Rogier was also a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Grapevine, Texas—Shay Michael, a senior music theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned third place in the upper music theatre division.

Springdale, Ark.—Rachel Harris, a senior musical theatre and vocal performance student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned firstplace in the upper music theatre division. Harris was also a semi-finalist in the senior women division.

Sungai Petani, Malaysia—John Tneoh, a junior vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned third place in the junior men division.

White Hall, Ark.—Bethany Gere, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned second place in the freshman women division and second place in the lower music theatre division.

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

Arkadelphia, Ark.­—Caitlin Secrest, a sophomore vocalperformance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest and Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women and the lower music theatre divisions.

Bella Vista, Ark.—Josh Wayne, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division.

Carrollton, Texas—Christina Moon, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Fairmont, Neb.—Betsy Wilson, a junior musical theatre student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in thejunior women and the upper music theatre divisions.

Fort Worth, Texas—Jillian Turner, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in thefreshman women and the lower music theatre divisions.

Hot Springs, Ark.—Connor Goad, a freshman musical theatre student of Robin Williams, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division. Kassie Johnsen, a sophomore music theory/composition student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women division.

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

Roanoke, Texas—Bekah Anthony, a junior vocal performance student of Suzetta Glenn, was a semi-finalist in the junior women division.

Rogers, Ark.—Mitchell Yost, a freshman vocal performance student of John Briggs, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division.

Rowlett, Texas—Nicole Mattson, a sophomore musical theatre student of Robin Williams, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Sanger, Texas—Alyssa Reynolds, a junior music student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division.

Sherwood, Ark.—Victoria Mantooth, a sophomore vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women division.

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

Secrest wins Ouachita’s 14^th annual Shambarger Competition for Singers
By Kaycee Giammarco
February 29, 2012

For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Caitlin Secrest, a sophomore vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark., was awarded first place in Ouachita Baptist University’s 2012 Shambarger Competition for Singers.

“It still hasn’t registered; I was completely shocked by the whole thing,” Secrest said. “I am honored that I came out on top for this one.”

Secrest earned first place and $500 for her performance of the art song “Il bacio,” composed by Luigi Arditi.

The Shambarger Competition, established in 1999 in honor of OBU Professor Emerita of Music Mary Shambarger, features a repertoire which rotates every three years. This year’s genre was art songs, which are classical pieces that are not from an opera or an oratorio. This year’s art song competition featured 17 singers from Ouachita’s vocal studies program.

“For a performer, any performance is a good one,” Secrest said. “I try to keep performing at all times. It’s a great way to get experience dealing with nerves.”

Secrest is taught by both Dr. Glenda Secrest, professor of music, and Dr. Jon Secrest,professor of music and coordinator of vocal studies.

“We prepare our students for this competition so that they can each be competitive, working towards the ‘total package,’” Dr. Glenda Secrest said. “Caitlin worked diligently, and it paid off.”

Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas, placed second in the competition.

“It’s great experience and practice,” Johnson said. “It helps you grow as a musician—plus it’s fun.”

Johnson earned second place and $300 for her performance of the art song “La Danza,” composed by Gioacchino Rossini.

“La Danza’ is a fast, competitive piece,” Johnson said. “It is very challenging and keeps you on your toes. It was nerve-wracking because I’ve never done this piece before.”

Johnson was coached by Dr. Jon Secrest and Louis Menendez.

“Dr. J helped me work on stage presence,” Johnson said. “He teaches technique and how to approach the work as a whole to make the best sounds possible.”

Meredith Martin, a sophomore choral music education major from Garland, Texas, earned third place and $200 for her performance of “Spring,” composed by Dominick Argento. Martin is a student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, assistant professor of music.

Rachel Harris, a senior vocal performance and musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., earned fourth place and $100 for her performance of “Alleluia,” composed by Ned Rorem. Harris is also a student of Garrett.

Xavier Lagunas, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, and John Tneoh, a junior vocal performance major from Sungai Pentani, Thailand, earned an honorable mention and $50 each for their performances. Lagunas performed “O del mio amato ben,” composed by Stefano Donaudy. Tneoh performed “Le Manoir de Rosemonde,” composed by Henri Duparc. Lagunas is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, and Tneoh is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest.

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at secrestj@obu.edu or (870) 245-5134.

 

OBU alum Jacob Watson named district co-winner of Metropolitan Opera auditions
By Nicci Fillinger
January 27, 2012

For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Jacob Watson, a fall 2011 Ouachita Baptist University graduate, recently was named the winner of the Arkansas District Auditions of the Metropolitan Opera National Council along with Kristin Lassiter from Dallas, Texas. As a district audition winner, Watson will move on to the next round of competition, the regional auditions, in February.

Each competitor prepared five operatic arias. They presented one aria of their choice, and the judges selected one additional aria from their list of five. Watson sang “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” from Das Land des Lächelns by Franz Lehar. The judges then selected “Questa o quella” from Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Winning this level of the competition “has definitely affected my future,” said Watson, a Wynne, Ark., native. “All through my career at OBU I focused on musical theatre (my first love) with only a secondary glance at opera. Working hard on my five arias all semester and winning this competition has shown me that I can have a future in opera as well.”

“Any award given during the audition circuit of the Metropolitan Opera National Council is extremely prestigious,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, Watson’s vocal coach at Ouachita. “The judges, nationally and internationally reputable performers and opera scholars with their own impressive credentials, select only the young singers who are demonstrating the most elite vocal skill set of those who perform. Even if Jacob advances no further in the competition, his award at the district level is quite an accomplishment.”

Describing the recognition as “quite an overwhelming feeling,” Watson said, “When I approach a competition, I try not to worry about the outcome. To me, it’s more about being on stage and creating at my top level. It was such a fun day full of great performances. Thefact that I won was definitely icing on the cake!”

Because winning the district auditions allows Watson to move on to the regional auditions, he said his post-graduation plans have changed.

“My original plan was to move to New York City in mid-February, but the next round of this competition is in mid-February so I’m staying in Arkansas for a little longer than expected,” Watson said. “My plan now is to see this competition through and to take any and every audition that is available to me in musical theatre, theatre and opera. Eventually, I plan to move to New York City. I’ve always felt called to move there. But all I can do now is work hard daily and the Lord will place me where He wants me.”

Watson will compete in the regional auditions on Feb. 11 at the Germantown Performing Arts Center in Memphis, Tenn. The two winners of the regional competition will receive awards of $1,500 each and will compete for the opportunity to move on to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as a national semi-finalist.

OBU staff accompanist Phyllis Walker collaborated with Watson on his presentation. OBU coach accompanist Louis Menendez also played for 10 singers in the competition and assisted Watson in rehearsal. Ouachita seniors Rachel Harris, a vocal performance and musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., and Grace Johnson, a vocal performancemajor from Tyler, Texas, also participated in the event and were accompanied by Walker.

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at secrestj@obu.edu or (870) 245-5134.

Eleven Ouachita students named regional NATS finalists
By Nicci Fillinger
November 18, 2011

For more information, contact OBU’s News Bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Eleven Ouachita Baptist University students were named finalists last weekend in the annual Southern Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions held at Mississippi College.

“The annual Southern Region Conference gives OBU students the opportunity to compete with the best NATS students from throughout Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi,” explained Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of OBU’s vocal studies program. “Along with the competitive aspect of the conference, our students are exposed to new repertoire, teaching techniques and artistic expression at the highest level available in our region.”

More than 500 singers from colleges and universities such as Ole Miss, Louisiana State University and Arkansas State Univeristy competed in the auditions.

“I love being able to simply perform,” said Bethany Swiontek, a junior musical theatre student of Margaret Garrett from Colorado Springs, Colo. “As singers and actors, we spend the majority of our time rehearsing, in the practice rooms and auditioning, so I love being given the opportunity to just perform.”

“What I enjoyed most about the conference would definitely be the many master classes and performances that I attended,” said Josh Wayne, a freshman vocal performance student of Jon Secrest from Bella Vista, Ark. Wayne who placed first in thefreshman men division. “It’s amazing to think of how much you can learn from watching and observing professional performances. Through experiencing them, I can take action to improve my own singing.”

Thirty-three OBU students participated in the conference auditions, with eight students choosing to complete in both the classical category and the music theatre category, for a total of forty-one entries from OBU. Staff accompanists John Briggs, Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker accompanied Ouachita’s students on piano for the auditions.

“Only three of our school’s entries did not advance to the semi-final round, and we were blessed to have eleven finalists in this year’s competition,” Secrest said. Ouachita had the second largest number of finalists of all the participating universities; only Southern Mississippi University had more finalists than OBU.

“The results of this event are a testament to the hard work of our OBU voice principals, their wonderful accompanists and their teachers” Secrest added. “For a school our size to be consistently among the most noteworthy of participants is truly a blessing for the OBU School of Fine Arts, Division of Music and the VocalStudies Program.”

Xavier Lagunas, a senior musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest from Arlington,Texas, is a veteran NATS performer, having attended six NATS conferences throughout his time at OBU. “It definitely has helped me grow into a better, more confident performer and musician,” he said. “It feels good to know that through hard work and perseverance you can achieve great things.” Lagunas earned first place in the senior men division and fourth place in the upper division music theatre division.

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

Arkadelphia, Ark. – Caitlin Secrest, a sophomore vocal performance student of Glenda and Jon Secrest, earned first place in the sophomore women division. Secrest also was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

 Arlington, Texas – Xavier Lagunas, a senior musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest, earned first place in the senior men division and fourth place in the upper division music theatre division.

 Bella Vista, Ark. – Josh Wayne, a freshman vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned first place in the freshmen men division.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Bethany Swiontek, a junior musical theatre student of Margaret Garrett, earned the first place in the upper division music theatre division.

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

DeSoto, Texas – Gemma Guiomard, a junior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned third place in the lower division music theatre division.

Grapevine, Texas – Shay Michael, a senior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the upper division music theatre division.

Justin, Texas – Ashley Bundy, a sophomore vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned fifth place in the sophomore women division.

 Sherwood, Ark. – Victoria Mantooth, a sophomore vocal performance student of Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the sophomore women division. Mantooth also was a semifinalist in the lower music theatre division.

Wynne, Ark. – Jacob Watson, a senior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned first place in the younger advanced men division.

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

Bentonville, Ark. – Maria Falcon, a freshman music education student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman womendivision.

Bryan, Texas – Alyssa Eskelsen, a junior music and business administration student of Steve Garner, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Carrollton, Texas – Christina Moon, a freshman vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Cleburne, Texas – Garrett Whitehead, a sophomore music theatre student of Steve Garner, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Dallas, Texas – Ben Stidham, a freshman musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Fort Worth, Texas – Jillian Turner, a freshman vocal performance student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division and in the lower music theatre division.

Garland, Texas – Lauren Casteel, a senior musical theatre student of Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the upper musictheatre division. Emma Patterson, a sophomore musical education student of Steve Garner, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Glen Carbon, Ill. – Joel Rogier, a sophomore vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore men division and in the lower music theatre division.

Little Rock, Ark. – Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division. Gabi Baltzley, a sophomore musical theatre student of Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

North Little Rock, Ark. – Ben Perry, a sophomore musical theatre student of Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the lower musictheatre division.

Overland Park, Kan. – James Wood, a junior music student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the junior men division.

Paron, Ark. – Tim Drennan, a sophomore musical theatre student of Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the lower musictheatre division.

Saginaw, Mich. – Hannah Garner, a junior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the junior womendivision.

Sanger, Texas – Alyssa Reynolds, a music student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division.

Springdale, Ark. – Rachel Harris, a senior musical theatre and vocal performance student of Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the senior women division.

Tyler, Texas – Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the senior womendivision.

Van Buren, Ark. – Loren McDaniel, a freshman musical theatre student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division and in the lower music theatre division.

West Monroe, La. – Alayna Rutledge, a freshman church music student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshmanwomen division.

White Hall, Ark. – Bethany Gere, a freshman musical theatre student of Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the lower musictheatre division.

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of Ouachita’s vocal studies program, at secrestj@obu.edu or (870)245-5134.

Elite opera program encourages Ouachita student in career pursuit
By Breanne Goodrum
September 12, 2011

For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Caitlin Secrest, a sophomore vocal performance major at Ouachita Baptist University, surprised competitors by being the youngest participant selected for the prestigious 2011 Opera Works Emerging Artist Program held at Cal State University in Northridge, Calif., this summer.

“When I first heard Caitlin’s audition DVD, I was impressed with her vocal maturity, her ease on stage and her artistry,” said Ann Baltz, founder and artistic director of OperaWorks. “It was clear that she was the caliber of performer we accept into OperaWorks.”

Secrest, an Arkadelphia native, was one of 32 performers selected to participate from a field of approximately 300 who auditioned. She was also accepted to participate in the highly competitive FestivalSouth Opera Program in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, but ultimately chose to pursue the OperaWorks experience.

“I chose this program because it was set apart from the rest,” Secrest explained. “We worked on all aspects of performance and not just the technique. We were taught to get out of the box and become real communicators.”

The program educated participants in their chosen field of voice performance and offered tips about pursuing a career in the vocal arts.

“We focused not only on performance, but also on our portfolios, and the business side of professional singing. On the performance end, we were encouraged to be relaxed, free and open on stage,” Secrest said. “ Classes like yoga and movement taught us to really let go.  As musicians, sometimes we are so wrapped up in being perfect we forget to be real. The audience wants to see real people on stage.”

Along with taking classes, Secrest found time to build great friendships with fellow participants. The 32-member group encouraged one another both with constructive criticism and praise. “When you were given a compliment, you knew you really deserved it,” Secrest said.

While focusing on the professional and personal aspects of the program, Secrest made a point to keep a positive attitude, knowing that the weeks with other artists would create opportunities to provide an example of her faith, and challenges to it as well.  
“Some of the world of music is full of selfishness and a focus on personal gain,” Secrest said, “so by going into the experience with a mission mindset, I shared what God has done for me personally. By building these relationships, I could then share witness of this when I was questioned by the other participants.”

“Her enthusiastic and bubbly personality, her intense curiosity and her absolute commitment to being better was inspiring and positively affected the entiregroup’s personality,” Baltz noted. “Caitlin is terrifically talented in all the right ways, and it was a real honor to be part of her life and early career.”

“She has a heart for the Lord,” said Dr. Glenda Secrest, Caitlin’s mother and OBU professor of music. “She is the real thing, full of energy and a wonderful personality. She has a true passion for music, and I believe that God is affirming her decisions and rewarding her faithfulness and use of her gifts.

“We have team taught her voice lessons since her sophomore year of high school, but we encouraged her to look around at other schools and be certain she found theright fit for her,” Dr. Glenda Secrest said. “She chose to enroll here at Ouachita so that she could continue her training with us.”

“Through her prayerful decisions, in her singing and each choice she has made, we’ve tried to impress on her that no matter what she does, God will guide her footsteps,” added her father, Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music. “Her acceptance into both of these programs is a perfect example of that guidance and affirmation.”

Back in the midst of everyday life at Ouachita, Secrest said the program continues to influence her studies and her outlook on life. “This was a life changing experience,” she said. “Not only did it transform my performing, it impacted my view of others. I view fellow artists differently now and see so much beauty in them. I know this view will continue to evolve and grow.”

Ouachita student Jacob Watson places first in Trinity Presents Showcase
By Breanne Goodrum
April 7, 2011

For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University student Jacob Watson, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., was declared the winner of the fourth annual Trinity Presents Collegiate Performance Showcase held recently at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

“I truly feel blessed to have won this competition this year, I did not expect to win at all,” Watson said. “My main goal was just to go on stage and perform my songs to the best of my abilities and have a blast while doing so.” He is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music.

Five finalists were selected to compete in the Trinity competition, including two Ouachita voice students. The other finalists included two from Arkansas Tech University and one from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

The finalists were awarded $500 each for making it into the final round of the competition, and Watson received an additional $1,000 for being named the overall winner.

“The fact that I was rewarded for having reached my goals was an unbelievable blessing and brought a lot of joy into my life,” Watson said. “I already have a savings account started where most of my monetary winnings have been going for a while. It’s a savings account for one of the most important things in the career of an actor/singer … rent money.”

Elisabeth Hipp, a senior vocal performance major from Memphis, Tenn., was the other Ouachita finalist. She is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, OBU professor of music.

“I honestly thought Elisabeth was going to win,” Watson said. “She’s such an incredible performer, and I was truly shocked when they made the announcement after the recitals.

“Elisabeth is my best friend and supporter,” Watson added. “She’s encouraged me with my practicing for voice and theatre to try and reach my full potential as an artist.”

Watson’s portion of the program included “The Streets of Dublin” from A Man of No Importance, “Finishing the Hat” from Sunday in the Park with George, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” from Guys and Dollsand “Dein is mein ganzes Herz” from Das Land des Lachelns. Phyllis Walker served as accompanist for Watson and Hipp during the showcase.

“My voice teacher, Dr. J, and I sat down and really wanted to plan a program that would show me at my best,” said Watson.

The judging panel included: Cliff Baker, director and CEO of the Wildwood Park for the Arts; Edward J. Crafts, associate professor of voice and opera at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Christine Donohue, assistant professor of voice at the University of Central Arkansas; Philip Mann, the newly appointed music director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra; and Dr. Barry McVinney, chair of fine arts and instructor of music at Pulaski Technical College.

Six students were also recognized as Honorable Mention winners, and Ouachita student Emily Joy Tucker, a sophomore piano performance major from Hot Springs, Ark., was invited to perform a 10-12 minute showcase during the competition. This was the first time an honorable mention performer was asked to present at the competition. Tucker is a student of Dr. Ouida Keck, OBU’s Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music.

For more information about the Collegiate Performance Showcase, visit www.tumclr.org. For more information about Ouachita’s vocal studies program, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at secrestj@obu.edu or (870) 245-5134.

Thirteen Ouachita students named finalists at state NATS auditions
By Meg Gosser
March 11, 2011
For more information contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu
or at (870) 245- 5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—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 secrestj@obu.edu or (870) 245-5134.

Hipp places first in Ouachita’s Shambarger Competition for third consecutive year
By Brooke Zimny
March 9, 2011
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Elisabeth Hipp, a senior vocal performance major from Memphis, Tenn., placed first in Ouachita Baptist University’s recent Shambarger Competition for Singers. This is the third consecutive year Hipp has won the competition.

“This is the first time in the history of the competition that one student has won three years in a row,” said Dr. Glenda Secrest, Hipp’s singing teacher and OBU professor of music. “It is an incredible accomplishment, a true testimony to her fantastic work ethic—which really paid off!”

Hipp also acknowledged Secrest, saying, “I could not have done it without her. My whole tenure here at Ouachita, she has given me the tools to really go and succeed and excel. If it had not been for her, I would not have won these past three years. She is an incredible teacher.”

Hipp earned first place and a cash prize of $500 for her performance of “O luce di quest’anima” from Gaetano Donizetti’s opera Linda di chamounix.

The Shambarger Competition, established in 1999 in honor of OBU Professor Emerita of Music Mary Shambarger, features a repertoire that rotates annually among selections from musical theatre, art songs and arias from opera and oratorio. This year’s aria competition included 18 competitors from Ouachita’s vocal studies program.

“Being a part of Shambarger is really an honor,” Hipp said, “first of all because you really get to see the talent that I work with every day and people that I’m friends with. It really shows up in this competition because people work extremely hard to get their arias and pieces together.
“With arias, they take a lot more time to get in your voice,” she added. “Sometimes it just takes time to settle in and let the muscles figure everything out.”

Jacob Watson, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., earned second place and $300 for his performance of “Dein ist mein ganzes herz” from Franz Lehár’s operetta Das Land des Lächelns. Watson is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music and coordinator of vocal studies.

Maggie Taylor, a senior choral music education major from Russellville, Ark., earned third place and $200 for her performance of “Tu il cuor mi strazi” from Gioacchino Puccini’s opera Edgar. Taylor is a student of Mary Worthen, assistant professor of music.

Xavier Lagunas, a junior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, earned fourth place and $100 for his performance of “En ferment les yeux” from Jules Massenet’s opera Manon. Lagunas is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest.

Andrew Miller, a senior vocal performance major from Dalworthington Gardens, Texas, earned honorable mention and $50 for his performance of “Look! Through the port comes the moon astray” from Benjamin Britten’s opera Billy Budd. Miller is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest.

Shambarger, who also formerly served on Ouachita’s music faculty for 32 years, served as one of three adjudicators for the competition along with Dr. Charles Wright, former dean of Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts, and Maestro Marc Andre Bougie, conductor of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra.

Serving as accompanists for the competition were John Briggs, Leslie Harper, Susan Monroe, Phyllis Walker and Mary Worthen.

Ouachita senior Andrew Miller honored at district Metropolitan Opera auditions
January 27, 2011
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University senior Andrew Miller, a vocal performance major from Dalworthington Gardens, Texas, received an encouragement award and $200 at the recent Arkansas district Metropolitan Opera Auditions in Little Rock. He was one of six singers honored at the auditions.

The competition was held at Stella Boyle Smith auditorium on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. It featured 20 singers from Arkansas, Florida, Ohio, Louisiana, New York and Texas ranging from 20 to 30 years of age. Singers from throughout the nation may enter any district’s auditions provided they meet the requirements set forth by the Met.

Miller presented “Look through the port comes the moonshine astray” from Billy Budd by Benjamin Britten and “Avant de quitter ces lieux” from Charles Gounod’s Faust. He was accompanied by OBU staff accompanist Phyllis Walker and is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music and chair of the department of applied music.

Judges for the competition included Sunny Joy Langton, singing teacher and international concert artist from Northwestern University; Roger Pines, dramaturg at Lyric Opera of Chicago; and John Wustman, distinguished vocal coach-accompanist who has accompanied such opera greats as Luciano Pavarotti, Birgit Nilsson, Mirella Freni and Renata Scotto.

In addition to Miller, two other OBU students and one OBU adjunct voice faculty member participated in the auditions.

Mandi Harper, OBU adjunct instructor of voice, presented “O luce di quest’anima” from Linda di Chamounix by Donizetti and “Piangero la sorte mia” from Giulio Cesare by Handel. Harper is a previous Arkansas district winner and regional finalist.

Elisabeth Hipp, a senior vocal performance major from Memphis, Tenn., presented “Je dis que rien ne m’epouvante” from Bizet’s Carmen and “O luce di quest’anima”. Hipp is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, OBU professor of music.

Grace Johnson, a junior vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas, presented “Una voce poco fa” from Rossini’s Barber of Seville as well as “Elle a fui, la touterelle” from Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann. Johnson is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest. Hipp and Johnson were also accompanied by Phyllis Walker.

As part of the educational emphasis of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions board of directors, each participating singer received the opportunity to meet with the individual judges to receive feedback on their audition.

2010 Southern Region NATS Results

Five Ouachita Baptist University students were recently named finalists in the annual Southern Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions held at Southeastern Louisiana University. Senior Jacob Watson also received the prestigious Governor’s Award.

Each year, the current region and state governors as well as former region governors have the option of recognizing a student in the competition who they feel has the best opportunity for a professional career as a singer.

“The Governor’s Award is something that is very special and quite a blessing to have received,” Watson said. “Throughout the finals, certain judges take notes and decide on this award. It’s an award that they only give out when they truly feel someone has deserved it.

“I think the last time I have seen it given out was either my freshman or sophomore year, so it was extremely exciting thing to receive,” he added. Watson, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., also earned first place in the senior men and upper music theatre divisions.

More than 500 singers competed from state and private schools across Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

“It is always an incredible feeling to be rewarded for your art and for your offering to be appreciated by peers and instructors,” Watson said.

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

Arkadelphia, Ark.—Caitlin Secrest, a freshman vocal performance student of Glenda and Jon Secrest, earned second place in the freshman women division and was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

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

Springdale, Ark.—Rachel Harris, a junior musical theatre student of Maggie Garrett, earned third place in the junior women division and was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division.

Sungai Petani, Malaysia—John Tneoh, a sophomore vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, earned second place in the sophomore men division and was a semi-finalist in the lower music theatre division.

Wynne, Ark.—Jacob Watson, a senior musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, earned first place in the senior men and upper music theatre divisions and received the Governor’s Award.

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

DeSoto, Texas—Gemma Guiomard, a freshman musical theatre and studio art student of 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 Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division. Lauren Casteel, a senior musical theatre student of Maggie Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division. Meredith Martin, a freshman choral music education student of Maggie Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

Glen Carbon, Ill.—Joel Rogier, a freshman vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men and lower music theatre divisions.

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

Hamburg, Ark.—Carli Sasser, a freshman choral music education student of Maggie Garrett, was a semi-finalist in the freshman women division.

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

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

Overland Park, Kan.—James Wood, a sophomore church music student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore men division.

Saginaw, Mich.—Hannah Garner, a sophomore vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women and lower music theatre divisions.

Sanger, Texas—Alyssa Reynolds, a sophomore vocal performance student of Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women and lower music theatre divisions.

Tyler, Texas—Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the upper music theatre division.

Whitehouse, Texas—Justin Ratliff, a freshman musical theatre student of Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in the freshman men division.

The students were accompanied by Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker.

Ouachita fine arts students perform coast-to-coast
By Kathryn Kellogg
October 1, 2010
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—For most college students, summer vacation is a break from what they’re studying. It is a time to relax, earn some extra money or take a trip. For some, however, summer provides an opportunity to further their studies out in the real world.

For students interested in fine arts, summer is a great time for summer stock, summer theatre and opera. Several Ouachita students took advantage of summer opportunities from coast to coast, working in settings ranging from Los Angeles to North Carolina.

In Los Angeles this summer, senior Elisabeth Hipp, a vocal performance major from Memphis, Tenn., participated in the Opera Works program.

“Here in L.A., I worked with professionals in private coachings, movement and yoga, acting and improvisation,” Hipp noted. “This program is a place where, as an artist, you grow as an entire person, not only vocally, which I did.” Hipp’s opera training paid off when she originated the role of Bianca in the International Opera Company’s world premiere of “La Bisbetica” in Citta della Pieve, Italy.

Seventeen hours down the road from Los Angeles is Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the United States. Two Ouachita students, Ashley Partridge, a senior musical theatre major from Baton Rouge, La., and Jody Lee, a senior music and theatre arts double major from Arlington, Texas, worked in the canyon area. Partridge was a scenic artist and props master and Lee played Abel Tatum in “Texas: A Musical Drama.” Lee also played Leonato in the Texas Players production of “Much Ado about Nothing” and was the stunt captain of the Texas Fire Stunt Team. He was set on fire more than 15 times.

“The theatre faculty at OBU provided me with the skill to find a job in the field of theatre through classes and one-on-one training,” Lee said. “They provide a knowledge of how to not only perform but also how to collaborate with fellow artists.”

The next summer stop for Ouachita students was the greater Dallas area. Katie Willhite, a senior theatre arts and Christian studies double major from Rowlett, Texas, was filmed in a commercial for Iamsecond, a Christian organization based in Dallas, and was in an independent film, “Wuss!” Cessany Ford, a senior theatre arts major from Paragould, Ark., interned and stage-managed for the Plaza Theatre Company in Cleburne, Texas.

“It helped me grow professionally,” Ford said. “It was a wonderful experience, and I can’t wait to return.”

Moving out of Texas state and into familiar Arkansas territory, the next summer stop is Little Rock. Kathryn Kellogg and Moriah Patterson performed in “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical.” Kellogg, a junior musical theatre and mass communications double major from Sherwood, Ark., was a tribe member and dance captain, and Patterson, a junior musical theatre and education double major from Sheridan, Ark., was a tribe member. Both could be seen twirling in the sun with beads, flowers, freedom and happiness.

The next region on the summer tour was a trip to the foothills of the Ozark Mountains where Katie Edenfield, a senior vocal performance major from Fort Worth, Texas, had the opportunity to perform with Opera in the Ozarks. The troupe performed three operas: “Carmen,” “Tosca” and “Don Giovanni.”

“It was a really cool thing to get to be a part of,” Edenfield said. “I got to be a part of the ragazzi chorus for ‘Carmen’ and ‘Tosca’ and was one of the peasant girls in ‘Don Giovanni.’ I was also given the part of the shepherd in Tosca.”

North to Missouri, Jacob Watson, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., was barrel turning his heart out in “Guys and Dolls.” He performed as Scranton Slim/The Master of Ceremonies at Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre.

“It was an unbelievable experience and it was my first professional acting job,” Watson said. “It was an incredible summer! The show also received overwhelmingly great reviews and we played to a sold-out house every single night.”

Watson also began his candidacy for the Actors’ Equity Union. “Actors’ Equity Union is a necessary part of being a professional actor,” Watson said. “I am officially considered an EMC which is Equity Membership Candidate, and it shows professional theatres my ability to work in a completely professional environment.”

Some 16 hours away in North Carolina, Andrew Miller performed at the Brevard Music Festival. “It is a pre-professional training program that focuses on opera,” said Miller, a junior vocal performance major from Dalworthington Gardens, Texas. “We did three full operas and one musical in the two months we were there. There was also a night of scenes, a concert of arias and many private concerts including Bach cantatas.”

The musical performed was “Tintypes.” The three operas were “Die Fledermaus,” “Marriage of Figaro” and “Pirates of Penzance” in which Miller played the Major General.

From coast to coast, Ouachita students performed this summer in locations scattered 3,000 miles across the nation. Each student took away unforgettable stories, memories and experiences. They built new friendships, met future co-workers, started their careers and had the opportunity to do what they loved and what they are being trained to do – create.

Shaw makes history in leading role of Wagner opera
By Brooke Zimny

As Los Angeles approached the culmination of Ring Festival LA, Ouachita alumnus Josh Shaw made history in the leading role in the U.S. premiere of Wagner’s earliest complete opera, “Die Feen.”

Ring Festival LA was conceived around L.A.’s first-ever full-length production of Richard Wagner’s four-part, 17-hour epic opera “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” Los Angeles Opera joined forces with more than 115 cultural groups for the festival, featuring a variety of “Ring”-related productions, exhibitions and programs in the months leading up to the final “Ring” performance June 26.

The festival was “the largest, most significant cultural festival in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival,” said Plácido Domingo, the Eli and Edythe Broad General Director of the LA Opera.

Shaw, a 2001 Ouachita graduate, starred as Arindal in Lyric Opera of Los Angeles’ production of “Die Feen” at the Pasadena Playhouse. Wagner completed the opera at age 20, and it had never been staged in the U.S. until it was taken on by LOLA, which specializes in little-known opera productions.

“Being a premiere of an obscure work by Wagner – that’s a pretty big deal,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, co-director of OBU Opera Theatre, chair of OBU’s Applied Music Department and coordinator of vocal studies.

“I’m excited for him,” Secrest added. “This is a great opportunity. It could be what bridges the gap for Josh from a regional to a national or even international career.”

“It’s been more challenging than anything I’ve ever done in my life,” Shaw said. “This is definitely the show I’ve worked the hardest on.”

Shaw transferred to Ouachita in 1998 and first caught the opera bug performing in OBU’s production of “The Ballad of Baby Doe” in 1999.

“I got cast in the lead, and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing,” Shaw said. “But that was kind of it; I was hooked.”

Secrest, who directed Shaw in “Baby Doe” and subsequent performances, said, “He was extremely well prepared. He was good on stage – had a good feel for the stage.”

Shaw studied at Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point prior to his senior year at Ouachita. He was named Best Young Male Artist for his work there as a student. After graduating from Ouachita, he earned a master of music degree in opera/music theatre performance from Southern Illinois University. He worked in musical theatre shortly before returning to opera and has performed in leading roles with companies from Southern California and Nevada to Fairbanks, Alaska.

Reflecting on his time at Ouachita, Shaw said, “I had a good time, and I learned a lot about singing. You’ve got to start there.

“I’d love to come back and sit down with students there to give them an idea of what this career is all about,” he added.

Secrest agreed that Shaw’s success in opera “speaks well of the training we provide.”

He said that while many Ouachita music graduates go on to various careers, Shaw is the first he can remember who has focused solely on opera. “I hope he is the first of many,” he said.

Ouachita students win Hot Springs Music Club Scholarships
By Meg Gosser
April 29, 2010
For more information contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or at (870) 245- 5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University student Alexis Pace recently won the first place scholarship at the Hot Springs Music Club Scholarship Auditions. Incoming Ouachita freshman Houston Murray claimed second place in the competition.

“When I got the message that I won, I was ecstatic,” said Pace, a freshman musical theatre major from Sugar Land, Texas. Along with first place honors, Pace won a $1,000 prize for her performance of “Caro Mio Ben” by G. Giordano and “Always True to You in My Fashion” from Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate.

Each participant was required to sing two selections for a panel of judges as well as discuss their college and career goals.

“The Hot Springs Music Club, which is a chapter of the National Federation of Music Clubs, holds annual scholarship auditions for students who are majoring or planning to major in music,” explained Suzetta Glenn, Pace’s vocal instructor at Ouachita. “At the time of audition the applicant must be a full-time college student enrolled as a music major at an accredited college or university for the coming year or a high school senior intending to be a music major with acceptance at an accredited college or university.”

Pace expressed her appreciation for Glenn’s instruction, saying, “Ms. Glenn helped by giving me a ton of feedback. For the classical song, ‘Caro Mio Ben,’ she worked with me on getting my voice to project, and she made sure that I was pronouncing the Italian the right way. For my musical theatre piece, ‘Always True to You,’ she helped me by working with me to strengthen my mixed voice, so that I could better hit one of the notes at the end of the song. She also helped with staging it, so that my passion for musical theatre really showed.”

As the first place winner, Pace will perform at the club’s Honors Concert on Sunday, May 9, at 7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hot Springs.

Houston Murray, a senior at Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, Ark., earned second place and $500 in scholarship money. Murray will be an incoming freshman music major at Ouachita in the fall of 2010.

“I knew what I wanted one of my songs to be and that was ‘The Music of the Night’ [from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera], but I had trouble choosing my second piece,” Murray said. “I carefully sang through three books of music for that perfect tune and ended up with a beautiful piece called ‘Flow Gently Sweet Afton’ [based on a poem by Robert Burns].”

For more information, contact Suzetta Glenn at glenns@obu.edu or (870) 245-4159.

OBU’s Katie Edenfield accepted to prestigious Opera in the Ozarks

By Rebecca Stone
April 6, 2010
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University student Katie Edenfield will be spending her summer working with the prominent training program Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point (OIO). Through this program she will take master classes as well as participate in opera productions while living near Eureka Springs, Ark., in the Ozark Mountains.

“My voice teacher pulled out this application, pulled up the site and told me she had been a part of this program and that I really needed to apply and audition,” said Edenfield, a junior vocal performance major from Fort Worth, Texas, and student of Suzetta Glenn. “When I mentioned that I was hesitant, she told me that if I wanted to pursue anything in this field, I could only do it if I went for it. So, I did.”

Through OIO, Edenfield will take part in four weeks of rehearsal followed by four weeks of performance, all under the supervision of a professional, experienced staff.

“It will be helpful to actually be singing and growing over the summer so when fall term rolls around I will have been working all summer on voice,” Edenfield said. “It will also help me decide if this is what I want to do with my life.”

For OBU alumnus Joshua Shaw, OIO confirmed his belief that he wanted to have a career as a performer. Shaw took part in OIO in 2001, the summer before his senior year at Ouachita, winning Best Young Male Artist that year. He returned to OIO in both 2006 and 2007, spending his final year as a singer/assistant director for the scenes program.

“Opera in the Ozarks did everything for me.” said Shaw, who is currently living in Los Angeles, Calif., performing in Lucia di Lammermoor.  “Before that summer I had no idea what being in an opera was all about.”

Since his time at OIO, Shaw has performed in leading roles with companies from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Southern California and received a master’s degree at Southern Illinois University in opera and music theatre performance.

“That summer at OIO I met coaches, directors and singers who I have worked with multiple times since,” Shaw said. “I will always remember OIO as the place that made me an opera singer.”

For Edenfield, her experiences at OBU have helped prepare her for OIO and a possible career in the performing arts.

“My teacher has taught me how to sing and therefore none of it would be possible without her,” Edenfield said. “She has taught me the importance of poise and stage presence, of practicing and of being confident in performing. The experience with singing, acting and even some dancing that I have gotten at OBU has helped me tremendously, and now, with this program, I hope my performing will improve and get even better.

At OIO, Edenfield will have the opportunity to sing in performances of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” Puccini’s “Tosca” and Bizet’s “Carmen” as well as an opera scenes program and Special Anniversary Concert featuring Isaac Van Grove’s “Ruth,” the fourth movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and special soloists to be selected from alumni and current participants.

OIO was founded by Dr. Henry Hobart in 1950 and is affiliated with the National Federation of Music Clubs. It boasts alumni such as opera greats Mark Delavan, Hei Kyung Hong, Gwendolyn Jones, Chris Merritt and Louis Otey, who have appeared in major performing venues around the world.

For more information about Opera in the Ozarks and a schedule of the 2010 performances, visitwww.opera.org/. Fore more information about Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music, visitwww.obu.edu/music.

Kyle Huey wins Trinity Presents Collegiate Performance Showcase

By Meg Gosser

March 22, 2010

For more information contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or at (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Ouachita Baptist University student Kyle Huey, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, was declared the winner of the third annual Trinity Presents Collegiate Performance Showcase held recently at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

Of the four Trinity finalists, two were Ouachita voice principles. The other two finalists were instrumentalists from Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Elisabeth Hipp, a junior vocal performance major from Memphis, Tenn., was the other Ouachita finalist. She is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, OBU professor of music. Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music said Hipp “presented an exquisite program of songs and arias, representing OBU splendidly.”

Huey said he appreciated the support and encouragement from Hipp. “It was a lot of fun to go through this process with another Ouachita student,” Huey said. “Elisabeth helped make it easier and more comfortable.”

Huey delivered a 20-minute program including “I am Aldolpho” from The Drowsy Chaperone, “You’re Still You” by Linda Thompson, “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables” from Les Miserables, “Make Them Hear You” from Ragtime, and “Betrayed” from The Producers.

“Dr. Jon Secrest, my teacher, helped me prepare, and Linda Thompson, my accompanist, met with me extra to worked on the songs with me,” Huey said. “I could not have done this without either one of them, and I am so thankful for the time and effort they both put in to this.”

The judging panel included: Martha Ann Edwards, Trinity Presents board member, pianist and piano teacher; Robert Hupp, producing artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre; Andrew Irvin, co-concertmaster of the Arkansas Symphony; Diane Kesling, dramatic mezzo-soprano with the Metropolitan Opera of New York City; and Bernard Turgeon, lyric baritone, solo artist and lead cantor at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock.

“I was genuinely surprised when my name was called as the winner,” Huey said. “I did not expect to win. I just went up on stage and did my best, and it paid off.”

Each performer was awarded $500 for making it to final round of the competition. Huey received an additional $1,000 for being named the overall winner.

“Winning this competition helped me immediately because it gave me the funds to fly to New York and audition,” Huey said. “In the long run, it helped me by making contacts and getting to know some of the judges.”

Three other OBU voice principals earned honorable mention honors earlier in the competition. They are Leslyn Ichter, a senior choral music education major from Conway, Ark.; Jacob Watson, a junior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark.; and James Wood, a freshman church music major from Overland Park, Kan. Ichter and Wood are students of Dr. Glenda Secrest, and Watson is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest.

For more information about the Collegiate Performance Showcase, visit www.tumclr.org. For more information about Ouachita’s vocal studies program, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at secrestj@obu.edu or (870) 245-5134.

Hannah Chapman named district winner at Metropolitan Opera auditions
By Jeffery Harmon
February 4, 2010
For more information, contact OBU’s news bureau at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Hannah Chapman, a senior vocal performance major at Ouachita Baptist University, was named one of the five district winners at the recent Metropolitan Opera auditions. The competition was held at Stella Boyle Smith Auditorium on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and featured 23 singers ranging from 22 to 30 years of age. Chapman was the youngest at age 22.

Chapman, a native of Forney, Texas, was accompanied by Phyllis Walker and is trained by Dr. Glenda Secrest, OBU associate professor of music.

“Because she was such a young soprano among more experienced contestants, her chances of placing were slim,” Secrest said. “It really means quite a bit that she did so well.”

Chapman competed against other participants from Arkansas and throughout the U.S. The judges for the event were Laura Canning, director of the Houston Grand Opera; Carol I. Crawford, former director of the Tulsa Opera and executive producer of Patience and Sarah, a film version of the opera by Kimper; and Robin Thompson, consultant with New York City Opera.

For her audition, Chapman presented the arias “Il est doux, il est bon” from Hérodiade by Jules Massenet and “Meine Lippen, si küssen so heiss” from Giuditta by Franz Lehar.

“I was not expecting to win anything,” Chapman said. “I felt incredibly encouraged and loved.”

“It was one of those moments when what you’ve taught all comes together,” Secrest said. “I really couldn’t be more proud.”

Chapman is planning to graduate from Ouachita in May and pursue music further in graduate school.

Stephen Ray makes grand finals in Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions

2008 graduate Stephen Anthony Ray achieved national distinction by being one of nine singers chosen for the Grand Finals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.  Ray sang on the Lincoln Center stage accompanied by Maestro Stephen Lord and the MET Orchestra, on Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2008.   He presented arias from Don Pasquale and Porgy and Bess, and although Stephen was not named one of the Grand Prize winners, he still receives a significant cash award and the satisfaction of knowing he was selected to be one of the top nine singers in America from a pool that began with about two thousand singers.  CONGRATULATIONS STEPHEN!!!!

Stephen Ray wins regional met auditions- AGAIN!

For the second time in three years, Stephen A. Ray, senior music major from Sherwood, AR, has been named the winner of the Mid-South Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Only once before in its illustrious forty-seven year history, has there been a multiple winner (Kristin Lewis; 1998, 2001). Past winners in the region who have gone on to notable opera careers include Lewis, Gail Robinson, Cheryl Studer, Delores Ziegler, Kallen Esperian, and Beth Clayton. Ray competed with ten other singers who hail from locations such as Lexington, Kentucky; Bloomington, Indiana; Jacksonville, Arkansas; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Birmingham, Alabama; Cordova, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tenessee; and Tallahassee, Florida. The competition was held in the Germantown Performing Arts Center, Germantown, TN, on Saturday, January 19, 2008. The panel of notable judges included Metropolitan Opera appointed judge Richard Bado, Professor of Opera Studies and Director of the Opera Studies Program at the Shephard School of Music at Rice University, Houston, TX; Delores Ziegler, mezzo-soprano, international opera star whose career ranges from bel canto to verismo opera, recitals, and concert and music theatre performances; and Richard Best, a leading bass with the Metropolitan Opera Company from 1964 to 1984, who has also performed with the Santa Fe, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Philadelphia Opera, and Opera Theater of Saint Louis. Mr. Best is currently Professor of Voice at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Stephen selected Vision fugitive from Massenet’s Herodiade as his opening selection, and the judges called for A Woman is a somtime thing from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess for his second selection. For his efforts, Stephen received the National Council Award from the Mrs. Edgar Tobin Endowment, an award of $800; a Mid-South Region Award of $1200; and the Helen Mosby-Gloria Nobles Award for Best Stage Presence, an award of $100. OBU Lecturer in Music, Cindy Fuller, served as Stephen’s accompanist for the auditions. Stephen’s foreign language diction and deportment coach is Dr. Glenda Secrest, Associate Professor of Music, and his voice teacher is Dr. Jon Secrest, Professor of Music at OBU.

Ray will travel to New York City in February, where he will compete with singers from the other national regions for a chance to be a national finalist. While in New York he will receive coaching from staff members at the Met and have the opportunity to view productions currently slated for performance.

Current Students, Graduates, and Former Students

Jacob Watson performed as part of the resident company for the Arkansas Shakespeare Festival, where he appeared as one of the brothers in their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Caitlin Secrest was the youngest participant among 32 singers who were selected for the Opera Works emerging artist program in Los Angeles, CA.  She received training in stage deportment as well as the business aspects of being a professional performer.

Andrew Miller performed in a total of five operas while a member of the resident troupe at Brevard Music Festival this summer.  Andrew’s leads included parts in Handel’s Alceste and Verdi’s La Traviata.

During the summer of 2011, Gabi Baltzley was in productions of Gypsy and My Fair Lady at the Weekend Theatre in Little Rock, AR.

Ashley Briggs worked as worship leader and counselor at Summit Ministries in Colorado Springs, Co. during the summer of 2011.

This summer, Lauren Casteel performed as a featured dancer in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The Plano Children’s Theatre in Plano, TX, tabbed OBU music theatre student Lindsey Lederer as and intern this past summer.  Lindsey participated in touring productions and taught at their summer camps for children.

Amanda Murray landed a paid summer  internship doing costumes at Music Theater of Wichita in Wichita, KS.

Carli Sasser was a paid intern in the youth program at Beech Street Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX this summer.

Broadway Comes to Denver was happy to welcome OBU Music Theatre major Bethany Swiontek into their 9-day program of masterclasses and workshops, which culminated in a showcase performance at the end of the summer.

Heather White participated in Student Life’s paid acting troupe, AT2AP.  As a part of this ensemble, she performed at children’s and youth camps in AL, TN, TX, NC, FL, and GA.

2011  BA in Theatre graduate Jody Lee landed a one year contract with the Wayland Theatre in Virginia.  He will perform several shows from Shakespeare to Smoke on the Mountain. (Updated September 2011)

2011 BA in Music Theatre graduate Ashley Partridge will attend fashion school in Nashville, TN.  (Updated September 2011)

2011 BM in Church Music graduate Beth Anne Shrader will begin the MA in Ministry Leadership program at Southeasern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.  (Updated September 2011)

2011 BM Performance graduate Elisabeth Hipp has enrolled in the Master of Music program at Florida State University, where she will work with renowned tenor Stanford Olson. (Updated September 2011)

2011 BM Performance graduate Katie Edenfield has enrolled in the Master of Music program at The University of Mississippi, where she will work with teacher, coach, and author, Amanda Johnston.  (Updated September 2011)

2011 BM Choral Music Education graduate Leslyn Ichter Jacks, has accepted a teaching position in Monticello, AR.  (Updated September 2011)

2010 BAMT graduate Rachel Street will be an intern for the Disney Program beginning in August of 2010.  (Updated May of 2010)

2010 BAMT graduate Haley Broadaway will be working as Assistant Music Director and as a chorus member at the Horn In The West Theatre in Boone, NC.  In the fall of 2010, Haley plans to move to Chicago to pursue performing opportunities there.  (Updated May of 2010)

2010 BAMT graduate Kyle Huey will give a lecture about auditioning for college theatre and beyond, to Colleyville Heritage Hight school Theatre students on Monday June 24th, 2010.  He has also been cast as a performance intern at the Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN for their 2010-2011 season.  Kyle will be soing a sied variety of shows such as Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone, Arsenic and Old Lace, Smee in Peter Pan, Puck in the world premiere of Michael Ching’s opera A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Grey Gardens, and Ragtime.  for tickets call the box office at (901) 726-4656 or go to www.playhouseonthesquare.org/boxoffice/  (Updated May of 2010)

2010 BMMT graduate Krysteena Koiner has been cast as Annie in the Murry Dinner Playhouse production of Annie.  The show will run July 20-August 29.  OBU graduate Lindsey Forga will play Grace in the prodution.  For tickets go to www.murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.  (Updated May of 2010)

2010 BMMT graduate Chris Straw is currently performing in the Murry’s Dinner Theatre production of Purlie in Little Rock, AR.  (Updated September 2011)

2009 BAMT graduate Cori Kidder is currently performing in a touring production call In the Mood: a 1940s Musical Revue with Producer/Director Bud Forrest of Bud Forrest Entertainment, Inc., and Stage Director/Choreographer Alex Sanchez.  Cori is now represented by Dave Secor of the Daniel Hoff Agency in Los Angeles, CA.  Check out Cori’s web site at www.coricablekidder.com.  (Updated September 2011)

2009  BAMT graduate Melody Taylor has landed a job with a theatre connected with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as Dorothy in their kids production based on The Wizard of Oz called “Down the Yellow Brick Road”.  She is also working as a substitue teacher at a local early education center.  (Updated March 2010)

2008 BMMT graduate Angie Bloodworth is now working for Kaiser Permanente’s Education Theatre Program as an Actor/Educator in Atlanta, AG.  Since her graduation from OBU, Angie has worked for The Promise in Glen Rose, TX; Repertory Company Theatre, Richardson, TX; Murry’s Dinner Theatre, Little Rock, AR; Pocket Sandwich Theatre, Dallas, TX; Dallas Children’s Theatre, Dallas, TX;  Missoula Children’s Theatre, Missoula, MT; Theatre Britain, Dallas, TX; and Wildwood Park for the Arts, Little Rock, AR.  (Updated September 2011)

2008 BMMT graduate Laura Medford, performed the role of Jane McDowell in the Stephen Foster Story, Bardstown, KY.  She also played Cecille in their production of Annie.  This fall, Laura has been hired for equity work in the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s production of Les Miserables.  (updated August 08)

2008 BME graduate Alicia Whitaker is teaching K-5th grade music in Waynesville, Missouri.  This school district is fairly large and includes six elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.  (update August 08)

2008 BME graduate Sara Pevey is teaching K-4th grade music at Carver Elementary School in Marshall, TX, and plannin on getting Kodaly certification in the near future.  (updated August 08)

2008 BA graduate Stephen Ray is enrolled in the Master of Music program in Vocal Performance and Opera at the Shephard School of Music; Rice University, Houston, TX. In addition, Stephen was the featured Baritone soloist for the recent Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, featuring college chorus’ from Henderson State University, Hendrix College, the University of Central Arkansas, Harding University, and OBU.   (updated March 09)

2008 BA graduate Kim Hull has recently begun working for the U.S. Government. (updated August 08)

2007 BMChurch Music graduate Aaron Williams joined the staff of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR, as a full time worship pastor.  Fellowship has a wonderful Fine Arts program and he has the privilege of working with about fifty musicians in the program.  He has also been touring with a worship band and leading worship at regional events. (updated August 08)

2007 BME graduate Kara Rainey is enrolling in the Master of Music program for Opera and Music Theatre at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.  (updated August 08)

2007 BMPerformance graduate Aaron Harp is enrolling in the Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX.  (updated August 08)

2007 BM Theory Composition graduate Valerie Woodburn has relocated in Chicago, IL, where she works as administrative assistant to the head of an interior design company. Valerie is keeping her singing chops up and preparing to audition for Chicago area vocal endeavors as soon as possible. (updated January 08)

2006 BM Church Music graduate Drew Greenway has been hired as Worship Pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, TX. He will also be persuing a master’s degree in music and theology at Baylor university. His new e-mail contact is dgreenway@harriscreek.org. (update January 08)

2007 BM Music Theatre graduate Kirt Thomas was living in Branson, MO. and performing in the Shoji Tabucchi show. He has recently moved to Little Rock and is looking for work in the music field. (updated January 08)

2006 BA graduate Elizabeth Hall Hammon auditioned for and was added to the ranks of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra chorus for the 2007-2008 performance season. The chorus will perform Beethoven’s 9th symphony in NYC during the upcoming season.

2007 BA Music Theatre graduate Jess White and 2006 BAMT graduate Kyle Thomas, who were married on July 7, have moved to Miami, FL. Kyle is taking over the Chair of the Theatre Department at Westminster Christian School as well as working to pursue his MA in Theatre. Jessica has completed auditions with Actor’s Playhouse Miracle Miles and she will also be working the a community-oriented weekly children’s program called “FamJamz”.

Spring 2007 BA Music Theatre graduate Aaron House has been part of the Sight and Sound production of Noah, the Musical, in Branson, MO.  Aaron plays one of Noah’s sons in the production.(updated August 08)

2007 BA Music Theatre graduate Luke Bridges, spent this past summer doing summer stock theatre in Missouri, where he was a featured performer in productions of Cabaret and Fiddler on the Roof. This fall he will join the resident company of Arkansas’ Repertory Theatre for their production of Les Miserable. (updated August 08)

Heather Baker Napier, 2005 BM Music Theatre graduate, and her husband Alden, are directors of a minstry called Ozone. Check out their website at www.Ozoneministries.com and click on the Springdale link. The kids they work with mostly come from under-privileged homes, and they counsel these students through bible study and music. They have really seen God work through their ministry! (updated August 07)

2002 BME graduate Bonnie Montgomery has been teaching Music Appreciation at Columbia College in Columbia, MO. She also sings with a professional early music ensemble, Armonia, which she helped form while a student at UMKC. They will be singing at the 2007 ACDA convention in Miami, FL. at the Spoleto festival, both during the summer of 07. She is also working on a short-length opera about Bill Clinton’s adolescene in southwest Arkansas, as well as folk songs that she frequently performs in coffee houses in the Columbia area. (updated February 07)

2006 BME graduate Hailey Ford has recently been accepted from among 400-500 applicants into the graduate studies music theatre program at Oklahoma City University. This summer she will be part of the New Dawn singers who are stationed in Orlando, FL., where she will tour and perform Broadway, Pop, and Christian Contempory selections. (updated April 07)

2006 BAMT spring graduate Cliff House has just completed a summer acting and singing in Noah, the Musical in Branson, MO.  The show is part of the Sight and Sound Productions.  Cliff plays the role of Shem. (last update summer of 08)

2006 BA graduate Jessica Gartman is working for an accounting firm in Little Rock, AR. No doubt she will put her dual degrees in accounting and music to good use. Perhaps she can sing her monthly reports to her superiors. (last update summer of 06)

2005 BM Music Theatre graduate Andra Duncan is living in California and will pursue the Master’s in Music Therapy from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. (last update summer of 06)

2005 BM Vocal Performance graduate Michelle Chapman has completed one and a half years of graduate study at the University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg, MS, where she enrolled to pursue the Master’s in Performance. Since her arrival on the USM campus, she has performed in La Traviata, a joint production between USM and the Mississippi Opera Company; performed Gretel in Hansel and Gretel; and is scheduled to play the role of Lucy in Menotti’s The Telephone. She is also in Southern Chorale, Chamber Singers, and the Southern Miss Jazz Group. During the fall semester of 06, Michelle served as a graduate teaching assistant and taught voice to eleven students. Way to go Michelle!! Can’t you find more to do?(last update January of ’07)

2002 BM Vocal Performance graduate Josh Shaw has recently completed a run of Pedrillo the The Abduction from the Seraglio.  He next will again tour with Opera a la Carte singing Luiz in The Gondoliers and as a member of the resident ensemble for The Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore.  Later this spring he is scheduled to perform the lead role in Gounod’s Faust in a production set in “The Twilight Zone” with a Los Angeles opera troupe.  And then in June, in what Josh describes as the biggest role of his career thus far, he will sing the lead role of Arindal in Wagner’s Die Feen with Lyric Opera of Los Angeles   (update January ’10)

2002 BMMusic Theatre graduate Kara Shaw recently returned from Japan, where she performed as part of a group called the Savoy Sisters, who formerly were associated with the Billy Vaughan Orchestra.  They sang in Osaka, Wakayama, Nagoya, Okayama, Shixouka, and Tokyo.  She also recently performed a corporate gig in Washington D.C., as Evita.  Her future plans include a possible run with the show the Marvelous Wonderettes off Broadway in N.Y.C.  (updated August 08)

Josh and Lyndsey Pounders have settled near Seattle, WA . Josh is the music director at First Baptist Church in Lakewood. Lyndsey teaches private voice lessons and stays at home with daughter, Lily Carolyn who is one year old.(last update summer of ’06)

Jenna Williams Tucker, BM Vocal Performance, completed her coursework for the DMA in performance at LSU in the spring of 2007, and hopes to graduate in May of 2008. She recently finished singing Soeur Constance in Dialogues of the Carmelites and was cast as Despina in the fall production (06)of Cosi fan tutte. She also won the southern region NATSAA competition and competed in the national semi-finals during the National NATS Convention in Minneapolis during the summer of ’06. Jenna and her husband are now living in El Dorado, AR, and she is teaching applied voice as an adjunct at OBU. (last update Sept. 07)

David, BM Vocal Performance,and Noelle, BA Music Theatre, Stanley have settled in the Dallas area and are spearheading a new performing group called the San Jacinto project. Check out their web site at www.sanjacintoproject.org. During their summer of 07, Noelle and David have been busy with a production of Little Women which received excellent reviews from the Dallas news. (last update August of 07)

Jeremy R. Franklin, BM Vocal Performance, 2001 graduate, has recently been added to the teaching faculty of Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO. He serves as Lecturer in Musical Theatre and will direct their upcoming productions of Urinetown and The Boyfriend. (last update September 07)

Joshua Payne, BM Vocal Performance, released his second album during the month of February, 2007. The album, entitled “Same Shoes 2nd Verse “, is available on itunes and cdbaby . Check out the latest information about Josh at joshuapayne.com on the internet. Josh still owns the vintage clothing store in Hillboro Village, Tn, where all is going well. (last update April of ’07)

Spring 2000 BME graduate Aaron Hawley has recently entered the Doctoral program at the University of North Texas. (updated January 08)

Rick Dildine, BA Theatre, has just completed his second season as Artistic Director for The Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, KY. Rick was hired to replace Dr. Scott Holsclaw as Artistic Director for the 2005 season. Congratulations Rick!! He also completed his MFA at Brown University/Trinity Repertoire during the 2004-2005 academic year, and won a Kennedy Center Directing Fellowship to study with Ming Cho Lee. (last update summer of ’06)

Kelsey Dime, BMChurch Music, served to prepare his congregations Christmas Production and has led his ministry through a seven week study on worship. He currently leads two different styles of worship service. (last update January of 07)

Former student Jeremy Rabe has left his performer/director position in Branson, MO., to join the performing troupe on the Carnival Cruise lines. While in Branson he was seen in Lost in the 50′s; Red, Hot, and Blue; and served as producer and choreographer for the Starlite Kids Review. (last update summer of ’03)

OBU graduate Matt Buffalo has performed in Branson, MO for many years. Buffalo has appeared in Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Yakov Smirnoff, Spirit of the Dance, the Miss USA pageant, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Celebrate. Matt is currently pursuing a MFA in theatre at the University of Indiana at Bloomington. During the summer of 08, Matt has been collecting equity points with the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, Utah, where he performed in Fiddler on the Roof, Othello, and Cyrano.  (updated summer 08)

Teresa Grinage Miller is teaching 5th and 6th grade music/choir at CHMS in Texarkana, AR. She and her husband Gary also teach preK choir at their church. Her newest adventure is Kindermusik. She is currently in training to be a Kindermusik educator in her community. Terri has been named the 2007 TEACHER OF THE YEAR in her district! Congrats Terri!!!(last update April’07)

Candice Lane Looney has just completed her first year performing a children’s tour in West Virginia, and will return for a second year with the troupe later this summer. She is resident soprano for the troupe which consists of 3 female and 3 male singers, and they are performing School House Rock. She is also the newly appointed Music Director at Beckley Presbyterian Church, where she is responsible for musical ensembles and arrangement of touring artists. Earlier in the summer, Candice served as Music Director of a production of Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. Her future plans include pursuing the Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy. (last update summer ’04)

Julia McFerrin is currently performing on the Carnival Pride enjoying her third contract. Her travels with Carnival have take her to from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. (last update summer ’06)

B.J. Kyle is living in the Nashville, TN, area and playing with Nashville artist Craig Hand. They tour with Travis Tritt in May of this year. B.J. serves as Craig’s musical director and plays keyboards, organ banjo, guitar, and sings backup.(last update summer ’06)

Adam Langley is working on a M.Div and focusing his study on the hitorical and contemporary relationship between theology and the arts. He and his wife are living in Austin, TX. (last update summer of 06)

1996 BM Performance graduate Kevin Holt has been working in sales for the past eleven years, but recently returned to his passion, vocal performance, and plans to pursue a masters and doctorate in Vocal Performance very soon.  He is living in Abilene, TX, and studying voice with former OBU Voice Faculty member, Dr. Diana Ellis.