Lincoln, Neb.--Three students from the Glenn Korff School of Music earned national recognition this summer at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions, one of the country's premier competitions for collegiate vocalists.
Reece Riewerts, a sophomore music education major, captured first place in the Musical Theatre Lower College Tenor/Baritone/Bass category. Tianning Ma, a Doctor of Musical Arts student in vocal performance, placed second in the Classical Graduate Tenor/Baritone/Bass category. Yizhou Zhao, a Master of Music student in vocal performance, was a national semifinalist in the Classical Graduate Treble Voices division.
The annual National Student Auditions showcase some of the nation's most accomplished collegiate singers, with students advancing through regional competitions before earning the opportunity to compete on the national stage.
For Riewerts, the first-place finish was both unexpected and affirming.
"My immediate reaction was just pure shock. I looked right at my family, and my jaw was on the floor,” he said. “It is so exciting and really gives me a lot of confidence in the work I have been putting in this past year."
Jamie Reimer Seaman, the Richard H. Larson Professor of Music (Voice) in the Glenn Korff School of Music and Riewerts' vocal professor, said the award reflects both talent and dedication.
"Reece is a naturally gifted performer, but what most impresses me most is that he works so purposefully to make every performance better than the last. Having achieved this award as a first-year student in the Korff School speaks to his commitment to learning, and I'm excited to see where he goes next,” she said.
Riewerts’ program highlighted his range as both a singer and actor.
"I performed ‘The Ballad of Farquaad’ from ‘Shrek,’ ‘Johanna’ from ‘Sweeney Todd’ and ‘A Rhyme for Angela’ from ‘The Firebrand of Florence.’ The pieces that my teacher and I selected vary a lot in style. It shows three completely different characters and styles of musical theatre. That is why enjoyed these selections so much, because I was able to really bring to life multiple characters."
Competing against many of the country's top collegiate singers brought added pressure, but Riewerts said he learned to focus on the performance rather than the competition.
"It was very nerve racking. The only comparison I had was the regional competition earlier in the school year, but this was completely different. Seeing all the semifinalists and hearing them was incredible but also made me very nervous,” he said. “I had to keep reminding myself that I'm here to tell a story and have fun singing. Back to what I said earlier. It just gave me confidence that I am improving not only my singing but my performing."
Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Riewerts has performed with Countryside Community Theatre and is a member of University Singers, Varsity Chorus and UNL Opera.
Ma also reached a significant milestone by earning second place nationally in the graduate classical tenor/baritone/bass category, marking his first award at a national competition.
"Placing at the NATS National Student Auditions means so much to me,” he said. “When I got the result, I was thrilled, and honestly, relieved too. It's actually the first time I've placed in a national-level competition, so it really felt like a milestone. It shows me that the work I've put into my training is paying off, and it pushes me to keep growing as a singer and performer."
Although the competition featured exceptional singers from across the country, Ma embraced the experience.
"Competing at the national level definitely made me nervous at first,” he said. “During the semifinal round, since we all performed in order, I could clearly hear the singers both before and after me. Everyone was incredibly talented, which added to the pressure, but it also brought out my competitive drive. By the time I got to the final round, there was a much bigger audience, and I realized that standing on a national stage in front of so many people was, in itself, a rare and special opportunity. Instead of letting the nerves take over, I decided to focus on enjoying the experience and treating it as a chance to really show who I am as a performer."
Ma, a tenor from Dalian, China, has toured with UNL Opera's production of “La Bohème,” performed in concert-format operas while studying in Italy and toured France and Spain with the Sicilian Choir in a production of “Nabucco.”
He credited the Glenn Korff School of Music faculty for helping him reach the national stage.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Kevin Hanrahan for the guidance and support throughout my preparation for this competition,” he said. “I'm also grateful to the voice faculty and everyone in the program who has helped me grow as a singer and performer. This experience has been incredibly meaningful, and I'm excited to keep building on it moving forward."
Zhao, a soprano from Shaoxing, China, advanced to the semifinals in the Classical Graduate Treble Voices category during her first appearance at the competition.
"Becoming a national semifinalist was incredibly exciting and meaningful to me because this was my very first time participating in the NATS student audition,” she said. “Advancing through three rounds of the regional competition and then being selected through the national video screening felt like a huge milestone in my development as a young singer. It gave me confidence that the hard work I have put into my training is moving in the right direction. More importantly, it motivated me to continue growing as a great vocalist."
Zhao said competing alongside outstanding singers from across the country broadened her perspective.
"It was both inspiring and humbling to perform alongside so many outstanding singers from across the country. Hearing such a wide range of voices, repertoire, and artistic approaches reminded me that every singer has a unique story to tell. Rather than thinking of it simply as a competition, I viewed it as a valuable learning experience,” she said.
Zhao recently appeared in ‘Hansel and Gretel’ with UNL Opera and has performed as a soloist in the United States and Italy. This summer, she joined the Soo Opera Apprentice Artist Program in Michigan, where she performed in Pauline Viardot's “Cendrillon” and Ruggero Leoncavallo's “Pagliacci.”
"This experience reminded me why I love singing,” she said. “Preparing for the competition required months of focused work, careful attention to detail, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone. I am grateful for the guidance of my teacher, coaches, and everyone who supported me throughout the process.”
