Vero Voce students excel at voice competition
Vero Voce School of Performing Arts students singing in the Illinois National Association of Teachers of Singing student auditions Nov. 8 were awarded high rankings in various categories and divisions. The competition began with a round of YouTube entries adjudicated by qualified voice teachers from all over the state of Illinois.
The second round was performed and adjudicated live Nov. 8 at Trinity International University in Deerfield. The final winners were announced and cash prizes awarded later that afternoon followed by yet another performance of the first-place winners at Trinity International University.
Vero Voce student Lauren Freas, a sophomore at St. Charles East High School, took first place in two categories in her division. This has not happened in the history of this competition. Freas won both the classical and musical theater categories of the high school women, age 14-16. A second Vero Voce student, Ashley Fritz, a sophomore at Rosary High School, took third place in the classical high school women's division ages 14-16.
Katelyn Jassoy, a senior at Rosary High School, who won first place in last year's state and regional musical theater women's high school division ages 16-18 competed at a higher age level than her current age this year. On Saturday, at the age of 17, Jassoy won first place in the musical theater women ages 18-20 (first two years in college).
Many other Vero Voce students have recently won special honors. Erin Kingseed, a senior at St. Charles North High School, auditioned and won the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City for the second year in a row with the National Honors Choir. Kayla Bussert who auditioned for the same choir, was selected as a first runner-up. Joining the auditioned ILMEA middle school choir, that also held its concert Nov. 8, were Vero Voce students Riley Brutto of St. Charles, Ryan Bussert of South Elgin, and Maisey Sweeney of Batavia. Joining the IMEA district choir for high school will be Stephanie Dierks; and Jessica Blakely will be joining the IMEA Jazz choir for the district. Jessica Blakely also auditioned into the All-State Theatre production of "Pippin" to be performed at the Illinois Theatre Festival this January at the University of Illinois. Stephanie Dierks and Jessica Blakely are students at St. Charles East High School.
Other Vero Voce students actively performing are Amanda Sallmann in "Almost Maine" at St. Francis College Preparatory High School in Wheaton, Katelyn Jassoy, Ashley Fritz and Melissa Bronski in "Cinderella" at Rosary High School in Aurora and Sarah Heylmun, Tori McKeehan and Natalie Sweeney in Batavia High School's upcoming production of "Hello Dolly." Appearing in St. Charles East High School's "One Acts" are Brynn Beveridge, Jessica Blakely, Lauren Freas, Brooke Lynch and Keeley Sherman.
Vero Voce was established in 2001 specializing in private voice, piano lessons and musical theater coaching and expanded into a 7,000-square-foot facility with multiple studios, classrooms, and a theater at 951 State Ave., Suite F, in St. Charles. Course offerings include all instruments, voice and theater classes and a full season of adult musical and nonmusical productions and a full season of children's theater productions.
More information about Vero Voce, the open house, and the courses offered can be obtained by visiting the website, verovoce.com, or calling (630) 584-0139.