By Kathleen Murphy
Sharing their voices with the region, Centre College students recently participated in this year’s National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition. With the support of voice instructors Cacey Nardolillo and Marie-France Duclos, and Centre’s Alltech Artist-in-Residence Gregory Turay, 11 students presented their talents to a set of judges and received feedback to improve their abilities.
The students faced off against 300 other singers from Tennessee and Kentucky with skill levels ranging from high school to post-graduate school. Several advanced in the competition to the semifinals on the second day. One student, Caroline Pellegrino ’18, finished as a finalist in Upper College Musical Theatre.
Turay expressed his pride in the students who attended, noting that they brought unique talents they honed at Centre.
“It’s an opportunity for students to hear other singers, compete against one another and share their talent with other singers and teachers across the region,” he explained. “The experience of competing against other students and singing for judges also helps to grow students well beyond what they are able to do through private lessons alone.
“The competition teaches so many life lessons about how to set goals, how to prepare and the results that come with hard work and discipline.”