Vero Voce performing arts students honored at vocal competition

Vero Voce School of Visual and Performing Arts recently announced that two of its voice students have been honored in the 2013 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition.

With about 1,000 entries this year, Ashley Fritz was awarded an honorable mention and Lauren Freas was recognized as a finalist in the category Early Teen Voices, Musical Theatre (ages 13-15).

Both girls are in the eighth grade, Fritz at St. Peter School in Geneva and Freas at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles.

The Hal Leonard Vocal Competition is the only event of its kind for singers up to age 23 for all of North America, children through college undergraduates. Both Fritz and Freas have been students of Dawn Harkins at Vero Voce for a number of years.

“Voice is something you study for a lifetime, Harkins says. “There is no permanent quick fix when it comes to singing. I've come across many parents and students who think that a student can pop in for a quick coaching or two and that will make them ready for auditions or performances, but that isn't the way it works. The voice is something that grows and changes and needs to be nurtured all the time. There are many very talented individuals in this world, and the ones who succeed are those who work hard on cultivating their individual talent day after day, week after week, year after year. I am very proud of the work my students do and the continual support their families provide them. And I am very excited for Lauren and Ashley who have actually gained a tangible reward from all their discipline and hard work.”

Vero Voce was established in 2001 as an in-home studio specializing in private voice, piano lessons and musical theatre coaching. Its expanded studio space at 951 State Ave., Suite F, Saint Charles, provides instrumental music lessons, early childhood music and art classes, a variety of theatre courses, recital space and a black box theatre. In addition to the theatre classes, a wide variety of private music lessons are offered.

More information about Vero Voce can be obtained by visiting the website, verovoce.com, or calling (630) 965-0825.