UTAH TECH VOCAL STUDENTS EXCEL ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
Graduating senior Tessa Washburn and sophomore Ireland Redd were the first Utah Tech students to compete at the national level of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition, held in Philadelphia, PA, in June 2025.
“First off, this whole journey was crazy!” Washburn shared, “I couldn’t believe I made it!” But make it she did, placing 2nd in the musical theatre category for junior and senior treble voices. Washburn will continue her studies this fall at New York University, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in vocal performance. Ireland Redd placed 1st in the category of commercial music for freshman and sophomore treble voices.
The National Association of Teachers of Singing is the largest professional association of voice teachers in the world with over 7,000 members across the United States, Canada, and more than 35 other countries. Every year, NATS holds a vocal competition, usually held in conjunction with a conference, where students compete in categories based on age, experience, and vocal genre. To qualify for the national semifinals and finals, students must place in the top five in their category at the regional level, then advance through preliminary and quarterfinal rounds, both held online. The top 15 singers in each category are then invited to compete at the national level.
Utah Tech students began preparing for the competition the fall of 2024. Students go through several phasing of preparation. First, they select which songs to sing. "Repertoire (song selection) is carefully selected by teacher and student to meet NATS category requirements, support the student's pedagogical growth, demonstrate a broad range of skills, and showcase their individual talents and abilities."
Washburn’s curated repertoire was: “Cockeyed Optimist” from South Pacific, “Nobody’s Side” from Chess, “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret, and “A Sorta Love Song” by Scott Berkell and Paul Loesel.
Next comes the rehearsal process. Students are coached weekly in private lessons, where they hone their technique and receive feedback and on their songs. They also spend time in practice on their own learning and gaining confidence. Work with the accompanist, typically a pianist, settles ideas of the speed and pace of a song. Decisions are made regarding when volume and intensity changes can shape the emotional contour of the work. Particular attention is given to how to start and finish a song as well as any tricky transition moments.
All this preparation is done in advance of the first tier of the competition. Utah Tech students compete in the local chapter auditions that took place in Las Vegas during November. Tessa and Ireland then advanced to the regional auditions in Phoenix in January of 2025.
Dr. Melissa Glenn, Director of Vocal Studies, shared, "I’m incredibly proud of our voice students. Not only did they perform exceptionally well—placing at a rate of 71.5% at the chapter level (compared to 40% overall) and 62.5% at the regional level (compared to 27% overall)—but they also represented themselves and Utah Tech with excellence. These competitions have boosted their confidence, provided valuable feedback from industry professionals, and given them crucial experience to refine their craft and strengthen their résumés."
The voice program is moving in a new and exciting direction, shifting from a strictly classical, traditional model to a more inclusive, multi-genre approach. The achievements of these two dedicated students demonstrate the exceptional training, support, and mentorship that music students receive at Utah Tech University. We are already seeing, and will continue to see, big results.
Tessa added, “Obviously, music is subjective, so again being selected and progressing to a national level within which an organization such as NATS is extremely flattering! And a big confidence boost, to be honest.”
Participation in NATS offers students valuable networking opportunities, feedback from professional adjudicators, cash prizes, and performance experience. As the organization explains, NATS Student Auditions “bring the best of themselves into unfamiliar spaces for sharing their musical art in performance. NATS Student Auditions offer students an opportunity to develop skills, which transfer to benefit many of life’s circumstances both inside and outside of a performing career.”