CSU Student Singers Advance to National Singing Competition

Two Charleston Southern University students captured national titles at the National Association of Teachers of Singing finals at Temple University in Philadelphia in late June.

Luke Baur and Stephanie Colon, Horton School of Music and Performing Arts vocalists, won at the state and regional levels to advance to the national competition.

Baur won first place in Lower Post-High School Commercial Music TTB. He sang and played an original composition, “The Father’s Love,” earning a prize of $1,200.

Colon took third place in Upper Post-High School Commercial Music Treble, singing “Redeemer” by Nicole C. Mullen, accompanied by CSU Pianist Arshak Sirunyan and winning a $500 prize.

NATS National Student Finalists in Top Three

Luke Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Dr. Jill Terhaar Lewis

• Lower Post-HS Commercial Music TTB, First Place 

 Stephanie Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of Andrea White

• Upper Post-HS Commercial Music Treble, Third Place 

NATS National Student Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists

Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Lewis

• Lower Post-High School Musical Theatre TTB
• Lower Post High School Commercial Music TTB

Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of White

• Upper Post High School Commercial Music Treble

Lindy Turner, soprano, music and worship leadership major, student of Dr. Jennifer Luiken

• Lower Post High School Musical Theatre Treble
• Lower Post High School Commercial Music Treble

Mid-Atlantic Region NATS Student Audition Results:

Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Lewis 

• Second Year Musical Theatre TTB, second place overall
• Second Year Commercial Music TTB, second place overall

Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of White

• Fourth/Fifth Year Commercial Music Treble, first place overall

Luke Jones, tenor, nondegree seeking, student of Luiken

• Third Year Commercial Music TTB

Katherine Kailey, soprano, music therapy major, student of Lewis

• Second Year Classical Treble, third place preliminary round

Turner, soprano, music and worship leadership major, student of Luiken

• Second Year Musical Theatre Treble, first place preliminary round, second place overall
• Second Year Commercial Music Treble, second place overall

South Carolina NATS Student Audition Results:

Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Lewis, online

• Second Year Musical Theatre TTB, online
• Second Year Commercial Music TTB, first place overall, online

Melody Butcher, soprano, music education: choral, student of Luiken

• Third Year Classical Treble

Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of White

• Fourth/Fifth Year Commercial Music Treble, student of White

Jones, tenor, nondegree seeking, student of Luiken

• Third Year Musical Theatre TTB
• Third Year Commercial Music TTB, first place overall

Kailey, soprano, music therapy major, student of Lewis

• Second Year Classical Treble

Ashleigh Kriner, soprano, music therapy major, student of Lewis

• Second Year Musical Theatre Treble

Leelyn Mazer, soprano, early childhood education major, student of Luiken

• First Year Classical Treble, second place overall
• First Year Musical Theatre Treble, first place overall

Lauren Rhoades, mezzo-soprano, psychology major, student of White 

• Upper Nontraditional Adult Commercial Music, first place

Turner, soprano, music and worship leadership major, student of Luiken

• Second Year Musical Theatre Treble, first place overall
• Second Year Commercial Music Treble, first place overall

Miranda Williams, mezzo-soprano, Christian studies: missions, student of Lewis

• Second Year Commercial Music Treble, first place overall, online competition

Each year, Charleston Southern voice teachers participate, serve as judges or administration for the event, and prepare students for competition.