UT Tyler to Compete in National Opera Association Competition

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is among the top collegiate teams to compete in the National Opera Association’s Scenes Competition, Dr. Michael Thrasher, UT Tyler School of Performing Arts director, announced. This is UT Tyler’s first appearance in the final round of the competition, which will be held Jan. 8, 2015, during the NOA Annual Convention in Greensboro, N.C. UT Tyler student finalists are soprano Kelsey Pate and tenor Jay Williams, both of Tyler, mezzo-soprano Janis Newman of Athens, and soprano Lauren Cook of San Antonio. Dr. Sooah Park, UT Tyler assistant professor of music, serves as program coordinator.

“We are very proud of our vocal music students and this prestigious honor they have received,” Thrasher said. “Dr. Park is doing outstanding work with our student opera program, and this is confirmation of the program’s quality. We wish them the best in the final round of competition.” Competing in the graduate-level division, the students will perform Scenes 10 and 11 from “The Old Maid and the Thief” by Gian Carlo Menotti. Other competitors this year are teams from University of Nevada – Las Vegas, Wichita State University, and Georgia State University.