Voice students from The South Carolina School of the Arts Conservatory of Music at Anderson University received top honors from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Student Auditions earlier this month. This progressive, year-long competition began on the state level in fall 2025, then students advanced through three levels of competition.
Three of the students advanced to the final round and placed in the top three. Jacob Sabella won first place in the Music Theater Upper Post-High School Tenor, Bass, Baritone Category. D’Andre Hicks placed third in the Commercial Music Upper Post-High School Tenor, Bass, Baritone Category. Abigail Knight placed third in the Commercial Music Lower Post-High School Treble Category. All three students who placed are taught by Associate Professor of Music Dr. Seth Killen and were accompanied by Staff Accompanist Janice Wright.
“We have had AU students as semi-finalists in almost every National Student Auditions since its inception in 2014, with the exception of the two virtual years during COVID,” said Associate Professor of Music and Vocal Coordinator for Applied Voice Dierdre Welborn. “We have placed finalists in most of these years. For the past four years in a row, we’ve had students in the finals.”
“This represents an impressive performance on a national platform and reflects positively on the quality of our faculty and students within the Conservatory,” said South Carolina School of the Arts Interim Dean Jer Nelsen. “It is my hope that these accomplishments can be widely shared and celebrated, as they exemplify the excellence of the South Carolina School of the Arts, Anderson University, and our broader commitment to Great Academics.”
These students were invited to compete in-person at the National NATS Conference:
- Jacob Sabella, Senior Music Theater Major
- D’Andre Hicks, recent Alumni Music Education major—a May graduate
- Hunter Ballard, recent Alumni Music Theatre major—a May graduate
- Jairus Wolfe, sophomore Music Education major
- Will Sumner, sophomore Music Education major
- Abigail Knight, junior Music major
- Katelyn Cohee, junior Music Education major
- Jude Collins, senior Music Theater major
- Lydia Langley, accompanist
The National Student Auditions took place at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Conference July 2-6 in San Antonio, Texas.
The students were supported for this trip by the Anderson University Student Government Association (SGA).
Pictured from left: Lydia Langley, Will Sumner, Hunter Ballard, Jacob Sabella, Jairus Wolfe, D’Andre Hicks, Abigail Knight, Seth Killen, Katelyn Cohee, Janice Wright, Jude Collins.
About the Conservatory of Music
The South Carolina School of the Arts Conservatory of Music at Anderson University offers rigorous musical training in a wide variety of musical traditions, including Classical, Musical Theater, and Commercial Music.