Trio of Taylor University Vocalists Flourish at State Singing Competition

Pictured: Marcus Haynes (left) and Gabriel Wilson captured first and second in their respective categories at the NATS competition.

Students and an alumnus from Taylor University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance have captured a pair of first place finishes and one second place result in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition for the State of Indiana.

The event was held at Butler University and featured students from a number of colleges and universities from throughout the State of Indiana that included Anderson, Ball State, Butler, Indiana, Indiana State, and Indiana Wesleyan Universities, as well as Goshen College.

The NATS competition is an annual event during which contestants vie for monetary awards with all getting feedback from a panel of judges.

Taylor freshman student Marcus Haynes won first place in the state in the Freshman Men category, alumnus Ashton McKenzie won first in the Advanced College Men category, and Taylor sophomore Gabriel Wilson won a second place in the Sophomore Men category.

“We are quite proud of Marcus, Gabriel, and Ashton for their success on the NATS stage,” said Dr. Conor Angell, Associate Professor of Music at Taylor. “It is a tremendous blessing to be entrusted by each of these students to steward their gifts, and we are grateful. That said, each of these men invested a great deal of work and preparation in their singing, and that work will benefit them in years to come.”