11/11/13 lar
Twenty-two Fort Hays State University students competed at the West Central Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) student auditions on Thursday, Oct. 31, in Emporia against singers from Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.

Six FHSU students were selected as regional finalists and five as semi-finalists.

Karl Pratt, Hoxie senior, was awarded second place in the graduate student men's division. Morgan Soldan, Salina freshman, was awarded third place in the college freshman women's division. Pratt and Soldan are both students of Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor of music and theatre.

Pratt and Soldan also qualified to compete in the inaugural national student auditions in spring 2014. Pratt was also a semi-finalist for the college men's upper division musical theatre.

Max Haverfield, Hays junior, was awarded fourth place in the college junior men's division. Haverfield is a student of Perniciaro. Eriana Holle, Hays junior, was awarded fifth place in college senior women's division and is a student of Perniciaro. Clayton Capra, Dighton freshman, was awarded fifth place in the college freshman men's division and is a student of Perniciaro.

Lauren Kohpay, Winfield freshman, received an honorable mention in the college freshman women's division. Kohpay is a student of Dr. Ivalah Allen, assistant professor of music and theatre.

Hayley Funk, Quinter junior, and Rebecca Urban, Hays junior, were semi-finalists for the college junior women's division. Funk and Urban are students of Perniciaro.

Jon-Luke Martin, Salina freshman, was a semi-finalist for the college sophomore men's division and is a student of Perniciaro. Cassandra Canto, Oberlin freshman, was a semi-finalist for the college freshman women's division and is a student of Allen.

Kelli Veach, Hays, Thomas More Prep-Marian high school junior, was a semi finalist for the high school women's division and is a student of Perniciaro.