Austin College vocalists competing in the 2022 Spring Student Auditions for the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) have earned top rankings in a competitive field. Brian Linares ’22 won first place in the Upper TTB Division, Jake Hanes ‘’22 placed third in the same division, and Lily Boessen ’23 placed third in Upper Treble Division.
The competition was held online as vocalists submitted recordings for review through three separate rounds. The first was judged by a rubric, and students scoring 90 or above from two of the three judges advanced to the semifinals. The top five out of the semi-finals are scored and ranked first through fifth in the finals. Results were announced Saturday, April 9.
Linares, Hanes, and Boessen are voice students of Sylvia Rivers, adjunct professor of music at Austin College, and were accompanied by Timothy Jenkins, department accompanist.
“Other schools competing include University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, and more,” Rivers said. “So, you can see, with Austin College being a small liberal arts school, having three finalists and a first place is huge! I’m just so proud of them.”
Linares is a senior music major from Sherman, Texas. Upon graduation, Linares plans to pursue a career in opera performance.
Boessen is a junior from Sherman, Texas, studying music education and plans to participate in the Austin Teacher Program to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree She hopes to pursue a DMA in conducting and eventually teach choir at the collegiate level.
Jake Hanes is a senior from Arlington, Texas, completing majors in music, business administration, and economics. He is considering graduate school offers to earn a Master of Music in vocal performance and pedagogy, and business opportunities in sales.