Furman vocalists compete in regional competition, earn winning places

Five Furman University voice students competed at the Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition, which was held March 16-17 in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Among the five Furman competitors, three earned winning places in the event: Bergsvein Toverud, a junior from Lenoir, N.C., won first place in his category; Tyrese Byrd, a sophomore from Williamston, S.C., won third place; and sophomore Ellen Chamblee of Anderson, S.C. won second place.

Both Toverud and Byrd also won the opportunity to compete in the 55th national competition to be held this summer in Las Vegas.

Founded in 1944, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with nearly 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and 30 other countries. The region in which Furman students competed includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland and Washington D.C.

Said Furman Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Lyric Theatre Grant Knox, “There is a high level of singing at the regional level of the NATS competition and our Furman vocal students rose to the occasion. I am so proud of their accomplishments.”

For more information, contact the Furman Music Department at 864-294-2086, or email the department at FurmanMusic@Furman.edu.