Vero Voce Students take first place honors at NATS

Vero Voce School of Performing Arts students singing in the Illinois NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) student auditions Saturday, November 8th were awarded high rankings in various categories and divisions. The competition began with a round of youtube entries adjudicated by qualified voice teachers from all over the state of Illinois. The second round was performed and adjudicated live on Saturday at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. The final winners were announced and cash prizes awarded later that afternoon followed by yet another performance of the first place winners at Trinity International University.

Vero Voce students Lauren Freas, a sophomore at St Charles East High School, took first place in two categories in her division. This has not happened in the history of this competition. Freas won both the Classical and Musical Theatre categories of the High School Women ages 14-16. A second Vero Voce student, Ashley Fritz, a sophomore at Rosary High School, took third place in the Classical High School Women’s division ages 14-16.

Katelyn Jassoy, a senior at Rosary High School, who won first place in last year’s state and regional Musical Theatre Women’s High School division ages 16-18 competed at a higher age level than her current age this year. On Saturday, at the age of 17, Jassoy won first place in the Musical Theatre Women Ages 18-20 (1st 2 years in college).

Many other Vero Voce students have recently won special honors. Erin Kingseed, a senior at St Charles North High School auditioned and won the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City for the second year in a row with the National Honors Choir. Kayla Bussert who auditioned for the same choir, was selected as a first runner up. Joining the auditioned ILMEA middle school choir, that also held its concert on Saturday, November 8th, were Vero Voce students Riley Brutto (St Charles), Ryan Bussert (So. Elgin), and Maisey Sweeney (Batavia). Joining the IMEA district choir for high school will be Stephanie Dierks and Jessica Blakely will be joining the IMEA Jazz choir for the district. Jessica Blakely also auditioned into the All-State Theatre production of PIPPIN to be performed at the Illinois Theatre Festival this January at the University of Illinois. Stephanie Dierks and Jessica Blakely are students at St Charles East High School.

Other Vero Voce students actively performing over the last and in upcoming weekends are Amanda Sallmann in ALMOST MAINE at St Francis College Preparatory High School in Wheaton, Katelyn Jassoy, Ashley Fritz and Melissa Bronski in CINDERELLA at Rosary High School in Aurora and Sarah Heylmun, Tori McKeehan and Natalie Sweeney in Batavia High School’s upcoming production of HELLO DOLLY. Appearing in St Charles East High School’s One Acts are Brynn Beveridge, Jessica Blakely, Lauren Freas, Brooke Lynch and Keeley Sherman.

Vero Voce was established in 2001 specializing in private voice, piano lessons and musical theatre coaching expanded into a 7,000 square foot facility with multiple studios, classrooms, and a theatre at 951 State Avenue, Suite F, in St Charles. Course offerings include all instruments, voice and theatre classes and a full season of adult musical and non-musical productions and a full season of children’s theatre productions.

More information about Vero Voce, the open house, and the courses offered can be obtained by visiting the website: verovoce.com, or calling (630) 584-0139.