RBR VPA seniors Shurmila Dhar, Little Silver, and Katie Robinson, Shrewsbury, took second and third place, respectively, in the upper level classical voice category at the NJ NATS Doris Lenz Festival of Singing. 

Press release from Red Bank Regional High School

On November 2, Red Bank Regional Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VPA) voice majors took top honors at the Doris Lenz Festival of Singing, held at The College of New Jersey and sponsored by the NJ NATS (the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing). Seniors Shurmila Dhar of Little Silver, and Katie Robinson of Shrewsbury, took second and third place respectively, in the upper level classical voice category which includes 15 to 17 year olds.

Over 90 students competed in the festival, which is named in honor of a longtime member of the NJ NATS. Students are invited to perform by their teachers who are members of NJ NATS.  RBR teacher Kristopher Zook recommended and accompanied Shurmila and Katie to the festival.

Katie and Shumira, both seniors, have received multiple accolades for their vocal ability throughout their high school singing careers. Katie made the All-Shore and All-State Honor chorus three times, and Shumira also made the All-State chorus; both students were selected for the All-State Opera Festival. The young ladies have aspirations of becoming opera singers and performed three classical pieces in the NJ NATS festival.

The girls were thrilled with their placement in the festival, with Katie adding, “It was so awesome to have that opportunity to participate in this major event, as it gives us invaluable experience as we audition to attend major performing art colleges in the United States.”

NATS is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with over seven million members in over 30 countries. For more on NATS visit their website at www.nats.org.