B-CU Performing Arts Students Earn Distinction in Solo Performances at State Music Competitions
Vocal students from the Dr. LaDoris McLaney School of Performing Arts and Communication Department of Music brought home honors from two music competitions held throughout Florida.
The following students majoring in Music, Music Education K-12, and Music Recording Technology placed in the 2019 Central Florida National Association of Teachers of Singing Auditions:
India Brown - First Place, First Year College/Independent Studio Women
Christopher Dominick - First Place, First Year College/Independent Studio Men
Brianna Butler - Second Place, First Year College/ Independent Studio Women
Victoria Smith - Third Place, First Year College/Independent Studio Women
David Fitzer - Second Place Third Year College/Independent Studio Men
Hannah Randolph - Third Place, Third Year College/Independent Studio Women
Ashique Sampson - Second Place Fourth Year College/Independent Studio Women
The Central Florida National Association of Teachers of Singing is a chapter of The National Association of Teachers of Singing which has more than 6,500 members. The organization celebrates the art of singing through a series of competitions and programs that are designed to showcase the talented singers and performers who are soon to be rising stars in the profession.
Two students competed in the 2019 Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation Grady-Rayam Competition and received first and second prize in the Fourth Year College/Independent Studio Women category:
Makilah Slaughter - First Prize
Sarah Crum - Second Place
The “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation is a Central Florida nonprofit established in 1996. The network of programs and services through which it impacts the public is known as Project Grady-Rayam. The agency’s threefold mission is to preserve America’s Negro spiritual songs from the slave era as part of our cultural heritage, provide training, development and scholastic assistance grants for young artists, and inspire the American public to embrace spirituals as a shared cultural legacy.
First place winners received cash prizes and scholarships. All students are members of the Concert Chorale, Opera Workshop Musical Theatre Scenes, or the Music Outreach Program. The students are from the vocal studios of Curtis Rayam, Jr. and Zohaniris Torres-Rosado.
The Dr. LaDoris McLaney School of Performing Arts and Communication provides excellent instruction within music programs in music, communication, theater and dance. Degree programs cultivate creativity and stimulate imagination which enhance critical thinking skills. The school’s mission is to inspire, expose, engage, nurture and transform a new generation of global leaders through excellence in academic artistic and service-learning programs graduating highly-motivated individuals in the fields of music, technology, communication, theater and dance.
The school is named for real estate magnate and philanthropist Dr. LaDoris McLaney. Dr. Hiram Powell serves as the dean.