Jacob Mayes, senior graphic design and music double major, and Elijah Chung, senior voice major, successfully competed in the Intermountain Regional auditions of the National Student Auditions sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) in February.  

By placing first and second in their division of the competition, Mayes and Chung are now eligible to compete on the national level. Their recorded performances will be adjudicated by national and international voice instructors. If they place in the upcoming round, they will compete live at the NATS summer workshop in San Diego, California. 

Mayes’s reason for participating in the competition was in part due to his long-standing love for music and for singing in particular. His earliest musical experience was a solo performance while he was in first and second grade. Through his choir experience during seventh grade, Mayes developed a love for music that followed him to WWU. As a member of both ICantori and University Singers, Mayes has had many experiences that he believes have pushed him as a musician and inspired him to keep singing. 

“Between the loving music faculty and lifelong friendships I have made, I wouldn’t trade WWU’s music program for anything,” said Mayes. This year, Mayes has taken on the role of choral president and has worked to integrate his specialties in music and graphic design to create a clear brand to market the choirs of WWU. 

Mayes and Chung are both looking forward to participating in the summer competition. “I am very proud of both singers and their commitment to singing and the music department at WWU,” said Christine Janis, professor of music and voice instructor to Mayes and Chung. 

To learn more about the Department of Music at WWU, visit wallawalla.edu/music.

Posted April 14, 2023