Voice students at Gaunt’s Music Studio have had a successful year in competition, owner-instructor Glenna Gaunt reports.
Four students competed in the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS) West Central Regional Student Auditions at Wichita State University last November: Allison Regehr, Allison Muth, Katherine Snapp, and Ethan Wedel, all of Great Bend. Two of these students advanced to the Finals round.
Snapp competed in the NATS High School women’s category and placed fourth in this four-state competition. Wedel competed in the men’s category and placed third.
The students were required to prepare and memorize three classical art songs with at least one in a foreign language. They were judged by a panel of NATS instructors through three different rounds.

Spring performances
Middle school student Haley Troyer of Ellinwood, from St. Joseph’s School, participated in the La Crosse Middle School Music Festival in March and received a I Rating.
Also in March, Gaunt’s Music Studio students competed in the local Parnassus Auditions at Barton Community College.
Performers in the Vocal-Senior division were Audrey Muth, Annelly Valdovinos, Katherine Snapp, Ethan Wedel Allison Regehr, and Allison Muth, all of Great Bend, and Madison Sauer of Ellinwood. First place went to Wedel, second place went to Snapp, and third place went to Allison Muth.
Vocal-Junior division entrant Haley Troyer, of Ellinwood, received first place.
Aliyah Smith-Latrell and Jadynce Schroeder received participation awards in the Vocal-Elementary division.
Four of the studio’s students participated in Barton Community College’s Vocal Masterclass with guest clinician Janie Brokenicky, a Kansas State University voice instructor. Valdovinos, Jadynce Schroeder, Malia Divilbiss and Wedel, all of Great Bend, worked with Brokenicky on their specific songs to strengthen their presentations and help prepare them for future performances.

Regional
This year eight voice students at Gaunt’s Music Studio competed in the Regional Vocal Solo Contest through the KSHSAA in April and five advanced to KSHSAA State Vocal Solo Competition because of receiving top ratings. Snapp, Allison Muth, Wedel, Valdovinos and Regehr all received a “I “ Rating at Regional Solo Contest while Brady Daniel & Aubrey Muth, of Great Bend and Macy Munson of Ellinwood all received “II” ratings.
Qualifying for State Vocal Solo Contest at Emporia, Allison Muth, Snapp, Wedel, Valdovinos and Regehr all received “I” ratings at State. These students were required to perform two classical art songs from memory, some in foreign languages.