Home » Blog » Shenandoah Conservatory Well Represented at VA Chapter of NATS

Shenandoah Conservatory Well Represented at VA Chapter of NATS

Shenandoah Conservatory was well represented at this spring’s Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia, on Feb. 23, and Feb. 24. Students of Professor of Voice Byron Jones ’04, D.M.A.; Associate Professor of Voice (Soprano) Fotina Naumenko, D.M.A.; and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Voice Melissa Chávez ’15, D.M.A., participated in the student adjudications. Twenty-three students scored high enough to be eligible for the next round of competition, Mid-Atlantic Regional NATS, held March 8 and March 9 at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

Five singers won their respective categories and sang in the honors recital at VCU:

  • Skyy Carter ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Performance), Naumenko’s Studio
  • Maximiliano Fernández Escalona ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education), Jones’s StudioSofia Stankiewicz ’24 (Bachelor of Music in Performance),
  • Naumenko’s Studio
  • Maria Mantalvanos ’25 (Bachelor of Arts in Music), Chávez’s Studio
  • Jonathan Margrave ’24 (Bachelor of Music in Performance), Chávez’s Studio

Placing students included (name, place in category, studio):

CategorySingerPlaceTeacher
HJ 7Skyy Carter ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)1stNaumenko
CL 5A-2Erin Finnigan ’27 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)2ndNaumenko
CL 5A-2Alexa Fillalan ’27 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting)3rdChávez
CL 5A-2Brooke Frampton ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)HonorsChávez
CL 5A-2Mary Groesbeck ’27 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)HonorsNaumenko
CL 5BGreylynn Waite ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education)HonorsChávez
CL 5B-1Skyy Carter ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)3rdNaumenko
CL 5B-2Shannon Fowler ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)2ndNaumenko
CL 5B-2Kaitlyn Flebbe ’25 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)HonorsNaumenko
CL 6ACaleb Athey ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)HonorsJones
CL 6BMaximiliano Fernández Escalona ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education)1stJones
CL 7ARiley Taylor ’24 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education)2ndChávez
CL 7A-1Sofia Stankiewicz ’24 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)1stNaumenko
CL 7A-1Cassidy Holmes ’25 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)HonorsJones
CL 7A-2Maria Mantalvanos ’25 (Bachelor of Arts in Music)1stChávez
CL 7A-2Sally McGrath ’25 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)3rdChávez
CL 8AJonathan Margrave ’24 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)1stChávez
CL 8AEmanuel Singletary ’25 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)3rdJones
MT 5AZoie Foster ’27 (Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre Accompanying)2ndChávez
MT 5AAlexa Fillalan ’27 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting)HonorsChávez
MT 5BGrace Ashby ’25 (Bachelor of Music in Performance)2ndNaumenko
MT 6Maximiliano Fernández Escalona ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education)3rdJones
CM 7Natalie McCrowell ’24 (Bachelor of Music Therapy)1stChávez

At the regional event, Emanuel Singletary ’25 (Bachelor of Music in Performance) and Jonathan Margrave ’24 (Bachelor of Music in Performance) qualified to proceed to the first round of the national student adjudications.

In Richmond, Dr. Jones gave the masterclass, “Finding the Opposite: Unlocking the Unexpected in a Song or Aria.” In Greenville, Dr. Chávez presented a voice masterclass.

Chávez also serves on the VA-NATS board as vice president and auditions chair, and Jones serves as a board member at large.

Categories: ,

Recent News

Headshots of Dr. Yunita Anwar (left) and Dr. John Winn (right), both of the Shenandoah University School of Business

WalletHub Taps Two SU Professors for Insight and Advice

Drs. Winn and Anwar Talk Insurance and Improving Credit

Shenandoah Pharmacy Graduates Secure Competitive PGY2 Residency Matches

Four pharmacy graduates advance into competitive PGY2 residencies in pediatric, psychiatric pharmacy, oncology, and investigational drugs and research

Professor explains content on a screen in a Shenandoah University educational leadership doctoral class.

New Higher Ed Concentration Offered in Shenandoah University’s Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs

Course topics delve into the primary responsibilities of higher education leaders

Headshot of J. Robert "Bobby" Spencer

Shenandoah University To Hold Special Performance To Benefit SSMT Living Legacy Endowment Fund

Original ‘Jersey Boy’ J. Robert Spencer headlines ensemble cast of Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre alumni

Shenandoah OT Programs Recognize Students & Educators of Distinction

2024-25 Awardees Hail From Four Occupational Therapy Programs

Students walk on campus with Sarah's Glen in the background.

Shenandoah University Participating In 2025 Virginia Private College Week

Prospective students who visit from July 21-26 will be entered to win an Amazon gift card and are eligible for an application fee waiver

Monthly Archives