Music Majors and Alumnae Placed in Vocal Competition

Westminster College music students Christian Heasley, Gregory McClelland, and Jessica Mriso and recent alumnae Kimberly Hasara and Stephanie Witzorreck placed in the annual Tri-State Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) vocal competition Oct. 30 at Westminster.

Over 100 vocalists competed in either classical or musical theater divisions at high school, college, graduate, and adult levels. The event was hosted and organized by Dr. Anne Hagan Bentz, Westminster associate professor of music and president of the Tri-State NATS Chapter.

Heasley placed second in the musical theater lower division and competed in the sophomore men category. A sophomore music education major, Heasley is a son of Daniel and Lisa Heasley of New Castle and a graduate of Laurel High School.

McClelland earned honorable mention in the freshmen men category. A music education major, McClelland is a son of Fred and Heidi McClelland of Sandy Lake and a graduate of Lakeview High School.

Mriso placed second in the senior women category. A music education and sacred music major, Mriso is a daughter of Randolph and Renee Mriso of Natrona Heights and a graduate of Highlands High School.

Hasara earned first place and Witzorreck placed second in the advanced women classical category. Both are 2009 Westminster graduates and are pursuing master's degrees in vocal performance at Duquesne University.

Additional Westminster students in the competition were:

Anthony D'Antonio, a psychology major, competed in the sophomore men category. He is a son of David and Debra D'Antonio of North Canton, Ohio, and a graduate of Hoover High School.

Elise Heater, a music education major, competed in the freshmen women category. She is a daughter of Ronald and Kathleen Heater of Creswell, Ore., and a graduate of Creswell High School.

Deanna Owens, a music education major, competed in the senior women category. She is a daughter of Jeff and Mary Owens of Waterford and a graduate of Fort Le Boeuf High School.

Alexandra Patterson, a music performance major, competed in the sophomore women category. She is a daughter of Laurence and Laurette Patterson of Saxonburg and a graduate of Knoch High School.

Nicholas Popovich, a music education major, competed in the junior men category. He is a son of Joseph and Gina Popovich of Canfield, Ohio, and a graduate of Canfield High School.

Anne Rematt, a music performance major, competed in the sophomore women category and the musical theater lower division. She is a daughter of Denise Rematt of Northern Cambria and a graduate of Northern Cambria High School.

Contact Bentz at (724) 946-6045 or e-mail bentzah@westminster.edu for more information.

(L-r) Stephanie Witzorreck, Dr. Anne Hagan Bentz, Kimberly Hasara