07/14/2026
Four students recently returned from the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions, where they all advanced to the Top 15!
Ezra DeVane, a student in the Musical Theatre Certificate program, also received 1st place in the Contemporary Commercial Music category and 2nd place in the Musical Theatre category!!
The auditions took place at the 59th NATS national conference, held in San Antonio, Texas, July 3-7.
DeVane, who studies voice with Sequina DuBose, is a public health major, and has performed prominent roles in CoA+A productions, including “Legally Blonde” and “Cabaret.” (The Musical Theatre Certificate program is open to all majors.)
“Ezra is everything you hope for in a student: hardworking, curious, humble and exceptionally coachable,” said DuBose in a social media post. “What stood out most was watching him encourage classmates, cheer on competitors and network with genuine kindness.”
“I truly enjoyed the experience of going to San Antonio and participating in NATS,” DeVane said. “It was a great feeling to use the skills I work on in the classroom in a real world setting, for sure, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to represent Charlotte on a national stage!”
3 music students also advanced through state and regional NATS competitions to represent the University as national semifinalists: vocal performance major Brooke Smith in the Classical category and vocal performance and musical theatre certificate students Reem Nour and Jylian Taylor in the Musical Theatre category. Semifinalists represent the top 15 performers in their age and training level from nearly 1,200 national preliminary entries.
All three students study voice with Instructor Christina Pier.
“Watching them thrive at the national level was thrilling. Their commitment to excellence, camaraderie and genuine celebration of each other’s milestones beautifully reflected the spirit of our department,” said Pier.
Funded by the CoA+A, students were accompanied DuBose, Pier and voice professor Susan Gouthro.
Founded in 1944, NATS is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world. Congrats to all!!!
