Northwest students dominate state auditions

Key Points

• Four Northwest Mississippi Community College students secured top honors at the NATS Mississippi Chapter state auditions.
• Adam Wiley and Olivia Callahan both earned first-place finishes in their respective classical and musical theater divisions.
• The competition, hosted at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts, featured Northwest students competing successfully against four-year university programs.

SENATOBIA, MS — Northwest Mississippi Community College vocalists delivered a commanding performance at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Mississippi Chapter state auditions, proving that the institution’s talent rivals the state’s largest four-year universities.

The competition, held Feb. 27-28 at the college’s Heindl Center for the Performing Arts, saw four Northwest students earn high marks across classical and musical theater categories.

Local Talent Takes Center Stage

The results highlighted the versatility of the Northwest fine arts department. Adam Wiley, a music pathway student from Hernando, secured first place in the second-year Post High School Classical TBB Division.

In the musical theater categories, Olivia Callahan of Lake Cormorant, a theater major, claimed first place for Lower Musical Theater Treble. Lee Clausel, a music major from Hernando, earned fourth place in both the Lower Musical Theater TBB Division and the One Year Post High School Classical TBB division. Allison Scurlock, a musical theater pathway student from Olive Branch, advanced as a semifinalist in the Lower Musical Theater Treble Division.

Rising Against the Competition

The success of these students serves as a benchmark for the community college’s rigorous vocal training. Because the NATS auditions often include students from major universities, the high placement of Northwest students signals a high level of academic and artistic preparation.

“It is a testament to the quality of our music program generally and our voice faculty specifically that we have students competing favorably against four-year programs from across the state,” said Dr. Alex Belohlavek, director of Choral Activities. “We’re proud of all of the students who competed, and are excited to have several first-place finishers.”

The vocalists’ success reflects a growing momentum for the Northwest Fine Arts department, which continues to expand its reach within the regional performing arts circuit.

For more information regarding the Northwest Fine Arts program, interested parties may visit the college’s academic programs page.