11/16/11 kkh

HAYS, Kan. -- Eight Fort Hays State University students of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, assistant professor of music, recently placed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing West-Central regional student competition, hosted by FHSU.

Luke Fairbank, Hays sophomore, placed first in the non-traditional division; Calder Craig, Russell senior, placed fourth in the college senior men's division; Eriana Holle, Hays sophomore, placed fifth in the college sophomore women's division; and Hayley Funk, Quinter freshman, placed fifth in the college freshman women's division.

Four students were regional semi-finalists: Steven Cornwell, Bison senior, in the college senior men's division; Karl Pratt, Hoxie senior, in the college senior men's division; Deanna Godshall, Haysville sophomore, in the college sophomore women's division; and Rebecca Urban, Hays freshman, in the college freshman women's division.

More than 300 students from Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado competed. Pam McGowne, Department of Music and Theatre program specialist and staff accompanist, along with Amanda Pfenninger, Janet Stramel and Dixie Thompson, were the pianists for the weekend.

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 7,000 members in the United States, Canada and more than 25 other countries.

For more information on NATS, go to www.nats.org. For more information on FHSU's Department of Music and Theatre, go to www.fhsu.edu/music-and-theatre/.