Hesston College voice students competed among the best collegiate vocalists in a four-state region at the annual National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) West Central Region Vocal Competition Nov. 5 to 6, at Wichita (Kan.) State University. Nine students represented Hesston College during the weekend competition with four advancing to the semifinal round.

More than 400 student auditions were part of the competition in classical and musical theatre divisions. Students from colleges and universities of all sizes in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming compete against one another in the same class level and gender.

Two Hesston students placed in their divisions. Freshman Mackenzie Miller, Lancaster, Pa., placed fourth in Freshman/Sophomore Women’s Musical Theatre. Sophomore Billy Bass, Yoder, Kan., placed fourth in Freshman Men’s Classical.

Four students advanced out of preliminary rounds to the semifinal round, including McKenzie Miller, Freshman Women’s Classical; sophomore Morgan Leavy, Telford, Pa., Freshman/Sophomore Women’s Musical Theatre; and freshman Shalee Rowley, Colorado Springs, Colo., Freshman/Sophomore Women’s Musical Theatre.

Miller and Leavy were selected to sing in master classes for Classical and Musical Theater respectively.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, Bass, Miller and freshman Anna Breckbill (Kidron, Ohio) competed at the second annual Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.) Voice Festival and Competition. Miller placed first in the Collegiate Musical Theater Division, and Bass was a top three finalist in the same division.