Sullivan named Presser Undergraduate Scholar

calendar icon26 Apr 2013    

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln School of Music has announced that Nathaniel Sullivan, a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance senior from Bettendorf, Iowa, has been selected by the faculty as the Presser Undergraduate Scholar for 2013. The announcement was made in the School of Music’s Convocation on April 25.

The award comes from the Presser Foundation in Haverford, Penn. The Foundation specifies that the award be given to an outstanding music major and is intended to be a prestigious award recognizing excellence.

“As an exemplary academic student, Nathan Sullivan also manages to be a generously kind person and sensitive musician,” said Coordinator of Musical Studies Alisa Belflower, his vocal professor. “With detailed attention to accuracy, Nathan works to infuse each performance with his unique, personal vitality. He brings a joy to learning that makes him a pleasure to teach and direct. As his professor, I am thrilled to see his determination to learn from every opportunity recognized by the School of Music and rewarded with this honor.”

Sullivan’s most recent roles in UNL Opera include the resident pessimist Martin in "Candide,” the prison guard in “O Pioneers!” and Magistrate in “Big Red Sun.” He also covered the role of Count in Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.”

His other recent awards include 12 NATS Student Audition Awards for his classical and musical theatre performances at both state and regional auditions, being named a Collegiate Musical Theatre Finalist in Hal Leonard’s International Vocal Competition, receiving an AIMS scholarship and Hixson-Lied grant to study opera in Graz, Austria this summer. Earlier he was awarded the Gary Jones Memorial Scholarship at the 2012 Metropolitan Opera Council’s District Auditions in Lincoln.

He has also earned a 4.0 grade point average at UNL.