Student Competitions and Awards (selections)
2024
Nathan Anton, Bass-Baritone, First place, TBB Voice, Class 10B,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lakes Region, Western University, Canada
Jingyu Tian, Soprano, Second place, Category CL 9 and 10,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Nathan Anton, Bass-Baritone, Second place, Category CL 9 and 10,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Oksana Komarenko, Soprano, Second place, Category CL 13 and 14
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Qianting Huang, Mezzo-soprano, Second place, Category CL 13 and 14
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
2023
Oksana Komarenko, Soprano, First place, Category CL 11 and CL12
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Chunhui Yang, Soprano, Third place, Category CL 11 and CL12
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Nathan Anton, Second place, Bass-Baritone, Category CL 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Qianting Huang, Mezzo-Soprano, Third place, Category CL 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Chunhui Yang, Second place, Category CL 11 and CL 12
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lakes Vocal Audition
Qianting Huang, Mezzo, Third place, Category CL 9A and CL 9B
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lakes Vocal Audition
2022
Chunhui Yang, Second place, Category CL 11
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Qiaohui Wu, Second place, Category CL 9B and CL10A
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Qianting Huang, Third place, Category CL 9B and CL10A
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Laura Kloser, Soprano, First place, undergraduate category
15th Annual BSU Vocal Competition, IN
Rachel Spodek, Soprano, Second place, graduate category
15th Annual BSU Vocal Competition, IN
Oksana Komarenko, Soprano, Honorable Mention
Graduate Concerto Competition, School of Music, Ball State University
Rachel Spodek, Soprano, Second place,
L 9A & CL 9B & CL 10A Lower Advanced/Upper Advance Treble/TBB
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lakes Region Audition
Laura Kloser, Soprano, Third place,
L 7A-2 Third Year College Treble
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lakes Region Audition
2021
Rachel Spodek, Soprano, Third place, NATS Artist Award Competition,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Kendall Joseph, Baritone, Second place, Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Region audition
Nathan Anton, Bass, Third place, Advanced Collee
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Region audition
Theodore Hicks, Tenor, First place, Category of Adult Classical
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Detra Carter, Soprano, Second place, Category of Adult Classical
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Rachel Spodek, Soprano, Second place, Category of Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Qiaohui Wu, Soprano, Third place, Category of Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Matthew Schulte, Tenor, Second place, Category of Fourth/Fifth Year College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State audition
Theodore Hicks, Tenor, Honorable Mention
Graduate Concerto Competition, School of Music, Ball State University
Laura Kloser, Mezzo, Honorable Mention
Undergraduate Concerto Competition, School of Music, Ball State University
2020
Rachel Spodek, Soprano, First place, Category of Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Qianting Huang, Mezzo-Soprano, Second place, Category of Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Nathan Anton, Bass, Third place, Category of Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Laura Kloser, Soprano, Second place, Category of 2nd Year College
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Qianting Huang, Mezzo-Soprano, First place, Graduate Division,
14th Annual BSU Vocal Competition, IN
Ayrice Wilson, Soprano, Honorable Mention, Graduate Division,
14th Annual BSU Vocal Competition, IN
Tara Douglas, Mezzo-Soprano, Third place, Undergraduate Division
14th Annual BSU Vocal Competition, IN
Jennifer Arbogast Wilson, First Place, Professional category, Aria Division,
George R. Johnson Concerto and Aria Competition 2020, TN
2019
Maegan Pollonais, 2rd place, Category of 13A. 13B, 14 A and 14B Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing State Vocal Audition, Indiana
Qianting Huang, 3rd place, Category of 13A. 13B, 14 A and 14B Advanced College
National Association of Teachers of Singing State Vocal Audition, Indiana
Laura Kloser, 3rd place, Category of 7A-2 first year College
National Association of Teachers of Singing State Vocal Audition, Indiana
Tao He, First place, Category of Adult
National Association of Teachers of Singing State Vocal Audition, Indiana
Ran Deng, Mezzo-Soprano, third place, Graduate Division,
13th Annual BSU Vocal Competition
Erin Davis, Soprano, Honorable Mention, Graduate Division,
13th Annual BSU Vocal Competition
2018
Zhen Chen, Tenor, First place, Category of Adult women/men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Vocal Audition, Michigan
Maegan Pollonais, Mezzo-soprano, First place, Category 13,
National Association of Teachers of Singing State Vocal Audition, Indiana
Zhen Chen, Tenor, First place, Category of Adult Women/Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing State Vocal Audition, Indiana
Qianting Huang, Mezzo-soprano, Third Place, Graduate Division,
12th Annual BSU Vocal Competition, Ball State University
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, winner of The American Prize
in Vocal Performance—The Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award,
Women's college/university art song division for 2017-18
2017
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, First place, Category 13-14A;
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Suiqin Yuan, Soprano, First place, Category of Adult women/men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Autumn Jones, Mezzo-soprano, First place, Category 7-1;
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Maegan Pollonais, Mezzo-soprano, First place, featured in online news,
Great Composers Competitions, Global online vocal competition
Maegan Pollonais, Semi-finalist,
Great Composers Competition/The Art of Opera,
The Art of Instrumental Performance competition series
Lauren Walkers, Semi-finalist,
The American Prize in Voice/Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award-College/
University opera division (women)
2016
Xiaowen Yu, Soprano, Third place,
Peacock National Vocal Competition of Higher Arts Education in China
Lauren Walker, Mezzo, Winner/ recipient of Bravo Award,
Bel Canto Foundation, Monastero’s Ristorante, Chicago, February
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, Recipient of scholarship,
Studied in summer program of Sherrill Milnes’ VOICExperience, Florida
2015
Xiaowen Yu, Soprano, First place, Adult Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, Mezzo, First place, Advanced College Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, one of five finalists,
National Rossini Award Vocal Competition, by Palm Springs Opera Guild
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, Winner, Graduate Solo/Concerto Competition,
School of Music, Ball State University
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, Second place winner,
Received Scholarship Award, $1000,
Indianapolis Matinee Musical Collegiate Vocal Competition
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, Finalist, (one of nine),
Winner of the Handel Award ($500), Young Artist Category,
Orpheus National Vocal Competition, Tennessee
Mary Brewer, Soprano, Semi-finalist, Young Artist Category,
Orpheus National Vocal Competition, Tennessee
Zhenghuan Yu, Baritone, Semi-finalist, Young Artist Category,
Orpheus National Vocal Competition, Tennessee
Marissa Zacharias, Mezzo-soprano, Second place,
Advanced Women and Men, Category 13,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Regional Vocal Audition
Zhenghuan Yu, Baritone, Third place,
New York Lyric Opera Theatre competition
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, Finalist,
New York Lyric Opera Theatre competition
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-soprano, Finalist,
26th Annual Bel Canto Regional Artists Competition, WI
Marissa Zacharias, Mezzo-soprano, Second place,
Ball State University School of Music Annual Vocal Competition
Wenjia Dong, Soprano, Honorable Mention,
Ball State University School of Music Annual Vocal Competition
2014
Diane Burt, Soprano, published an article,
Temporomandibular Dysfunction and the Developing Singer, Journal of Singing,
NATS journal, Volume 71, Nov.1, September/October edition, 2014, Pp.35-44
Mary Kathryn Brewer, Soprano, First Place (tie) Graduate Division,
Ball State University School of Music Annual Vocal Competition
Zhenghuan Yu, Bass-Baritone, First Place (tie) Graduate Division,
Ball State University School of Music Annual Vocal Competition
Kuang Sheng, Tenor, Second Place Graduate Division,
Ball State University School of Music Annual Vocal Competition
Julie Lyn Barber, Coloratura Soprano, Third Place Graduate Division,
Ball State University School of Music Annual Vocal Competition
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-Soprano, Second Place,
NATSAA Great Lake Regional competition,
Alternate of NATSAA regional winner for national competition,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award
Lauren Walker, Winner of NATSAA Indiana State competition,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award, Great Lake
Zhengguan Yu, Second Place,
alternate of NATSAA winner for regional competition,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award, Great Lake
Julian Vera, First Place, Category 14, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Julie Barber, Second Place, Category 14, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Mary Brewer, Second Place, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Rebecca Rodden, Third Place, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Marissa Zacharias, Honorable mention, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Laura Krell, Honorable mention, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, First Place, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men Zhenghuan,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Yu, Second Place, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Joanna Chatham, Honorable mention, Category 10, College Women,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, Ralph Appelman Award, Most Promising Graduate/Upper Level,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Julie Barber, Coloratura, recipient of $600 grant, to help defray the costs of an English baroque songs promotional CD, Pittsburgh Concert Society- Homer Wickline and Conrad Seamen Memorial Grants
Julie Barber, awarded Outstanding Graduate, School of Music, Ball State University
Lauren Walker, Mezzo-Soprano, Finalist,
The 25th Annual Bel Canto Regional Artists Competition, Wisconsin
Julie Barber, selected from a pool of international applicants,
performed in Cavalli's opera, La Calisto, Institute of 17th Century Music, NY
Julie Barber, selected from a pool of international applicants,
Vocal Soloist, Baroque Academy at the Amherst Early Music Festival
Julie Barber, Finalist, The American Prize in Voice - Chicago Oratorio Prize
Julie Barber, won $500, as 1 of 2 Encouragement Prizes, (One winner prize and two encouragement prizes in the final), Kentucky Bach Choir of Lexington, KY
Lauren Walker, as 1 of 9 finalists,
Andrew Rooney Bach Competition, national, Kentucky Bach Choir of Lexington, KY
Julie Barber, Semi-finalist, Nicholas Loren Vocal Competition, Holland, MI
Julie Barber, Finalist, The American Prize in Voice (OPERA) Friedrich
and Virginia Schorr Memorial Award(college division)
2013
Julie Barber, published an article Improv Goes to the Opera,
Classical Singer(national journal)
Julie Barber, First Place, Category 14, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Marissa Zacharias, First Place, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Laura Krell, Second Place, Category 13, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, Second Place, Category 12, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Zhenghuan Yu, Second Place, Category 12, Advanced Women and Men,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Indiana State Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, First Place, Graduate category, Ball State University, School of Music
Zhenghuan Yu, Second Place, Graduate category, Ball State University, School of Music
Marissa Zacharias, Honorable Mention, Graduate category,
Ball State University, School of Music
Hannah Basford, nationally selected for Disney College Program, Spring semester,
Disney World, Florida
Julie Barber, winner of Graduate Concerto Competition,
Ball State University, School of Music
LaurenWalker, won Second Round,
University Division of the Classical Singer Auditions Plus Vocal Competition in Boston
(http://www.classicalsinger.com/convention/competition/winners.php)
JulieBarber, studied with Julianne Baird and worked with Drew Minter, Opera Director, Amherst Early Music Festival 2013 Baroque Academy Opera Project
Julie Barber, semi-finalist, Nicholas Loren Vocal Competition, Holland, MI
Julie Barber, First Place, Category 14, (Graduate Advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lakes Regional Vocal Audition
Marissa Zacharias, Third Place, Category 13, (Graduate Advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lakes Regional Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, Third Place, Category 12, Graduate Advanced,
National Association of Teachers of Singing, Great Lakes Regional Vocal Audition
Julie Barber, Irma Cooper Award, National Association of Teachers of Singing,
Great Lakes Regional Vocal Audition
Julie Lyn Barber, Encouragement Prize, $500,
Kentucky Bach Choir Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition
Lauren Walker, Encouragement Prize, $500,
Kentucky Bach Choir Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition
Lauren Walker, 6th place, Bloomington Chapter,
Vocal Competition of the National Society of Arts and Letters
Lauren Walker, First Place, Graduate category,
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Zhenghuan Yu, Second Place, Graduate category,
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Marissa Zacharias, Honorable Mention, Graduate category,
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Zhenghuan Yu, Finalist, First round, Classical Singers National Vocal Competition
Lauren Walker, Finalist, First round, Classical Singers National Vocal Competition
Lauren Walker, Semi-finalist, Student category, Orpheus Vocal Competition
LoraleeSonger, selected as one of twelve voice teachers fromU.S.,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Internship
2012
Julie Barber, First Place, Category 14 (Graduate Advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Lauren Walker, First Place, Category 12 (Graduate Advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Zhenhuan Yu, Third Place, Category 12 (Graduate Advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Hanna Basford, Third Place, Category 2,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Julie Barber, Second Place, Advanced Division, Category 14,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Melinda Meurer, First Place, Undergraduate category,
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Julie Barber, First Place, Graduate category,
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Julie Barber, Honorable Mention, Ball State Graduate Concerto Competition
Loralee Songer, Second Place, NATSAA (Artist Award) Vocal Competition,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Tennessee State
Julie Barber, Semi-Finalist,
Harold Haugh Light Opera Vocal Competition, Jackson, Michigan
Melinda Meurer, First Place, Vocal competition, Undergraduate category,
Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Collegiate Scholarship Competition, Indiana
2011
Julie Barber, First Place, Category 14 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Kuang Sheng, Third Place, Category 13 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Rebecca Newcomer, Second Place, Category 12 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Taylor Wade, Third Place, Category b1, (Indiana Academy),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Julie Barber, Honorable Mention, Ball State Graduate Concerto Competition
Loralee Songer, Finalist, 2011 Philadelphia Lieder Society Competition
Melinda Meurer, Phillip Ewart Opera Scholarship, School of Music,
Ball State University
Melinda Meurer, Second Place (Undergraduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
2010
Loralee Songer, Semi-Finalist, 2010 Orpheus Vocal Competition
Rochelle Schmitt, Second Place, Category 2,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Joanna Chatham, Third Place, Category 2,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Brittany Mundhenk, Third Place, Category 2,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, First Place, Category - Post Advanced,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Mid-South Regional Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, Semi-Finalist, 2010 Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition
2009
Emily O'Connor, Third Place, Category 2,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, Studied in Opera-Works, (by national audition),
Los Angeles, California, June-July
Marci Wagnon, First Place (Graduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Alexandra Fuller, Honorable Mention (Undergraduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Hang Gu, Semi-Finalist, Harold Haugh Light Opera Vocal Competition,
Pinckney, Michigan
2008
Marci Wagnon, Second Place, Category 13 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, Third Place, Category 13 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Vanessa Law, First Place, Category 6,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Alexandra Fuller, Second Place, Category 2,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Kathleen Kellogg and LoraleeSonger, awarded Outstanding Graduate,
School of Music, Ball State University
Loralee Songer, First Place, Category 12 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, received Ralph Appelman Award and Irma Cooper Award,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Kathleen Kellogg, Second Place, Category 13 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Jack Chan, Third Place, Category 6/7,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Breanne Pynakker, Honorable Mention, Category 8a,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, First Place (Graduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Megan Upchurch, Second Place (Undergraduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
2007
Kathleen Kellogg, Third Place, Category 13 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, Third Place, Category 12 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, awarded Outstanding Graduate, School of Music,
Ball State University
Loralee Songer, Second Place, Category 12 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lake Regional Vocal Audition
Loralee Songer, First Place (Graduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Jessica Burkey, Second Place (Graduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
Megan Upchurch, Second Place (Undergraduate category),
Ball State School of Music Vocal Competition
2006
Loralee Songer, First Place, Category 12 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
Jessica Burkey, Second Place, Category 13 (Graduate advanced),
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Audition
KatherineOvermayer, Winner of Female Vocal Competition, received $500,
Ball State University Homecoming Talent Search
Alicia Siefert, Winner of Vocal Scholarship Audition, School of Music,
Ball State University
2005
Stephanie Miller, Winner
Mu Phi Epsilon Vocal Scholarship Audition, Ball State Chapter
Jessica Burkey, Winner
Mu Phi Epsilon Vocal Scholarship Audition, Ball State Chapter
Jessica Burkey, National Winner of Presidential Award of Excellence
Sara Eikenberry Voice Scholarship, received $1000,
Mu Phi Epsilon, Musical Fraternity
April Wagner, First Place, Category 7,
National Association of Teachers of Singing Indiana State Vocal Competition
2004
Lisa Dawson, First Place, Ball State Opera-Theater Scholarship Audition
Ball State Opera-Theater Scholarship Audition
Jessica Burkey, Second Place, Ball State Opera-Theater Scholarship Audition
Ball State Opera-Theater Scholarship Audition