Voice Student Named Outstanding Singer in State Singing Competition 

Music major Reem Nour received the Outstanding Singer (Treble) Award at the state auditions of the North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Founded in 1944, National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world, with more than 7,000 members in the United States, Canada and more than 35 other countries. Annual state competitions draw hundreds of singers from across North Carolina, a selection of whom advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional NATS auditions and potentially to the national auditions. 

On Nov. 8, the UNC Charlotte Department of Music hosted this year’s state auditions in the areas of musical theatre and contemporary commercial music. Fourteen UNC Charlotte students participated.

Singers compete in categories based on vocal range and their year in school. Nour, a student of Christina Pier, competed in the musical theatre area, singing songs from “Mean Girls,” “Porgy and Bess,” “Songs for a New World” and “Carrie the Musical.” A soprano, she was awarded first place in the category of treble singers who are four to five years post high school and was named the day’s overall Outstanding Singer (Treble). 

“It was very exciting to be able to compete at our own college,” Nour said (pictured left with Pier).  “I feel like it gave me an extra boost of confidence, because I felt so comfortable being surrounded by my teachers and peers. My voice teacher, Christina Pier, always does an excellent job at preparing me not just vocally, but mentally for auditions. I am very grateful for her passion and love for her craft and teaching.”

Several other UNC Charlotte students also excelled in their category auditions. Ezra DeVane, a student of Sequina DuBose, competed in both the musical theatre and contemporary commercial areas. He received first place for contemporary commercial music in the category of low voice (tenor, baritone, bass), two years post high school, and second place in the same category for musical theatre.

Third place winners included Zareah Roberts (student of DuBose), Ansleigh Reid (student Monica Hunter) and Jylian Taylor (student of Pier). In addition to the award winners, students Ashlyn Clark, Mae Cox, Ryn Johnson and Brooke Smith will advance to the regional competition.

In February, UNC Charlotte students will join singers from across the state for the NC NATS Classical auditions, to be held at UNC Greensboro.

Top photo: Reem Nour, holding award certificate, with fellow voice students and faculty at the NC NATS auditions. Ezra DeVane is front, far right.