Vocal Performance Student Competes Nationally

Fourth-year senior Isaac Mullett was recently recognized by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) as a regional finalist in their national student auditions.

Each year, the organization hosts a yearly conference where students from across the nation compete for top five in their regions, with winners advancing to the National Student Auditions. Isaac competed in the Mid-South region in the category of Senior Fourth and Fifth Year TBB (Tenor, Baritone, Bass).

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a number of adjustments to the process, shifting from in-person auditions to virtual submissions. Students recorded videos of themselves that were then submitted to judges for each category. The singers with the highest average grade advanced to the national round.

Despite the challenges an unprecedented pandemic has brought for college students, Isaac’s win would not have been possible without the new audition process. “ I wouldn’t have actually been able to compete without the COVID-19 changes, since I had to be at a performance at the time of the original auditions,” he says. “Though I haven’t enjoyed most of the changes that the virus brought, it did allow me to compete.”

On May 1, Isaac submitted his audition for the final round of NATS, competing against sixty-nine other students. Securing a spot in the top fourteen will allow him to advance to semifinals, and then on to the top three. All auditions will be via video submissions.

At Bryan, Isaac is working towards a double major in Vocal Performance and Music Education while also completing a minor in Mathematics. When asked how his education at Bryan prepared him for the NATS competition, he noted-

 First and foremost, my teacher, Dr. Keck, has taught me so much in the years I’ve been studying with her and has guided me through this process. Second, since Bryan is such a small school, I think I’ve gotten more performance opportunities than many other students would have, and that has certainly helped me. At Bryan, I receive the quality training that I need as well as many performance opportunities and the encouragement of many professors and peers, all of which were vital for this competition.

Congratulations, Isaac, and best of luck as you continue to compete!