11/19/10 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- Six students of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, assistant professor of music at Fort Hays State University, won recognition at the recent National Association of Teachers of Singing West Central regional student competition.

Eriana Holle, Hays freshman, was a regional semi-finalist. Holle and Emily Ptacek, Lyons special student, were chosen to sing in public master classes with two master clinicians.

Jennifer Labes, Delphos sophomore, placed fourth in the college sophomore women's division; Karl Pratt, Hoxie senior, placed fifth in the upper level musical theatre men's division; andCalder Craig, Russell junior, placed fifth in the college senior men's division.

More than 300 students from Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming competed. Schools included FHSU, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Emporia State University, Colorado State University, the University of Colorado-Boulder, the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Pam McGowne, Department of Music program specialist and staff accompanist, traveled with the FHSU singers.

The National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc (NATS) was founded in 1944 and is now the largest association of teachers of singing in the world. Today NATS boasts more than 6,500 members in the United States, Canada and over 25 other countries around the world,

NATS offers a variety of lifelong learning experiences to its members, such as workshops, intern programs, master classes and conferences, all beginning at the chapter level and progressing to national events. Students also have the opportunity, along with members, to compete at a national level through the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Awards

Fort Hays State University will host the 2011 National Association of Teachers of Singing West Central regional conference and student competition.