Dr. Larson鈥檚 leadership includes the creation of the South Carolina School of the Arts, expansion of the Rainey Fine Arts Center, the establishment of key degree programs in the arts, and the new Conservatory of Music.听

Former Anderson President Dr. Mark Hopkins got to know Dr. Larson when they both lived in Illinois. When Dr. Larson was leading the Theatre Department at Judson College (currently Judson University) in Illinois, Dr. Hopkins reached out to him, initially seeking his advice regarding uses for the newly constructed Henderson Auditorium.听

Dr. Larson recalls, 鈥淗e wanted someone who would help chart a course for this new auditorium he had inherited.听 When I visited, I realized I was being tested, and so I dutifully submitted a report with my suggestions. A year later, Dr. Hopkins sent me a voicemail and said, 鈥榃e have a new position, the Associate Dean of Arts. Sensing God鈥檚 leading, Dr. Larson said 鈥測es鈥� and moved with his young family to Anderson. His job was to help develop music, art and theatre and to manage the new auditorium.听

鈥淭here was no Peace Center. There was no Brooks Center. In the late eighties, Centre Stage at Anderson College was the primary venue for professional performing arts in the Upstate. For eight years, Centre Stage presented six to eight touring performances per year. About a thousand season tickets a year were purchased for Center Stage鈥�which was just enough to cover artist fees.鈥� The series attracted some big acts for the time, including the Atlanta Symphony, Burl Ives, Chet Atkins, Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie.听听

鈥淚n my second summer here, we were given money to renovate Merritt Auditorium, turning it into a home for the theater program. I transitioned over to academics just before the institution made the change to four-year status, about the time the college was deciding to build phase two of the Fine Arts Center.鈥� Dr. Larson added, 鈥淭hose were wildly busy days!鈥�听

Dr. Larson asserts that none of the successes of the South Carolina School of the Arts would have happened if not for the vision of President Evans P. Whitaker and a supportive administrative team.听

He also praises the leadership of the school鈥檚 three academic programs鈥擜rt + Design, The Conservatory of Music, and Theatre and Dance鈥攄eveloping innovative, relevant programs that guide graduates into rewarding careers in the arts.听听

Dr. Larson is thankful for 糖心Vlog传媒 rallying around him over four decades of change and various health challenges. When asked about what retirement looks like, Dr. Larson says that, at least for now, he鈥檒l stay in Anderson.听听

Assuming Dr. Larson鈥檚 role is Associate Professor of Art and Design, Jer Nelsen. Beginning in the summer of 2026, Nelsen will serve as the Interim Dean of the South Carolina School of the Arts.听

鈥淚n summary,” Dr. Larson says, 鈥渕y story is one of God’s faithfulness to help build a serious arts program, firmly set on a strong faith foundation. Ultimately, that means hiring and cultivating dynamic Christian faculty who will inspire and role model the integration of their art and their faith. Hire the right people, and good things happen. I am thankful to have seen this arts enclave grow and develop. Indeed, we are a special place- serious about our art and serious about our faith at the same time.鈥澨�听

听

The post Larson鈥檚 Leadership Spans Unprecedented Growth in Fine Arts at 糖心Vlog传媒 appeared first on 糖心Vlog传媒.

Anderson鈥檚 Jazz Fusion Ensemble was formed by Commercial Music students at the South Carolina School of the Arts. According to鈥疢usic Professor Dr. Derick Cordoba, the AU鈥疛azz Fusion Ensemble was the only group鈥痜rom the U.S.鈥痠nvited to perform at the prestigious鈥痗onference.鈥疛AM LAB offers the only鈥痑ccredited鈥痗ommercial music program in Europe.鈥�听

鈥淲e got to perform on Friday night at a concert… They did an amazing job,鈥� said Cordoba, who led the trip. 鈥淣ot only did we get all these master classes and get to play in their facilities, we got to tour their music production facilities for movie recording and video game composing.鈥疻e have a memorandum of understanding with the school, so students in the future will be able to take summer classes there for credit.鈥濃��

鈥淭his is something I definitely wanted to do, and it’s even better that I got to go with my friends and my peers that I work with closely to make music,鈥� said Kate Strickland, who plays electric violin in the group.听听

Kate Strickland and Nathan Freeman on stage.

Ensemble member鈥疍alvin鈥疓ray got to play for鈥痑n鈥疘talian band鈥痑ttending the conference, filling鈥痠n for their drummer.鈥疓ray recalls he fit right into the group, citing music as a universal language.鈥�听

鈥淭he way that we can all come in together and just mesh as one and have that uniform sound is鈥痡ust鈥痠ncredible,鈥� Gray said.鈥�淢y favorite memory鈥痠s getting鈥痶o鈥痬eet鈥痑 lot of the students over there who have played with or are on projects with big inspirations of mine.鈥疶his one鈥痝uy over there, Adrian鈥疺arday,鈥痺as signed to Quincy Jones at 11 and played in鈥痟is鈥痓and for a while.鈥疓etting鈥痶o meet him and hear his backstory and鈥痡ust getting to hang out with him鈥攚e鈥痗onnected instantly as soon as we met.”鈥�听

Dalvin Gray, right, playing drums with a group from Italy.

鈥淚 do not speak German. I do not speak Italian… but I knew if we reached a solo section and I looked at somebody and they nodded at me, it was my turn. It’s a really coolcollaborative experience,鈥� Strickland said. 鈥淚 view music and cultural exchange as a mission opportunity of going, this is how I see the world, and I hope that you see Jesus in me to the point where you ask me why I am the way that I am.”

Gray will never forget interacting with musicians in Vienna who had a natural ability to play as if they鈥檝e been jamming together for many years.听

“That was literally my biggest memory, having that connection with everyone, knowing that we can make great music and also just be connected through music, because that is the universal language,鈥� Gray said.听

The AU Fusion Ensemble also got to perform at two of Vienna鈥檚 top jazz venues.鈥�听

鈥淭hat was a鈥痳eally鈥痷nique experience for the students because it was something only鈥痑鈥痩ocal jazz musician would really be able to do,” said鈥疌ordoba.鈥�听

Olivia Burdette on keyboard with Duncan Stone on guitar in the background.

鈥淭he jazz scene there is absolutely phenomenal,鈥� Strickland continued. 鈥淭here are so many people there playing jazz and teaching jazz and just speaking that language to each other. I saw people when we were playing at jazz clubs coming up to me and being like, 鈥榳ow, you sound great. This is awesome. Will you be back tomorrow?鈥欌��听

Cordoba said, 鈥淲e had a great time and the schools really enjoyed working with American jazz students. They were very excited for that since the U.S. is where jazz was basically born.鈥� He added that Professor Greg Alewine played a key role in preparation for the trip, rehearsing the ensemble, guiding them in selecting their repertoire and leading in fundraising concerts.听

Music Professor Derick Cordoba speaking on the microphone. At left is Braden Anderson on bass and at right is Nathan Freeman on trumpet.

If you鈥檙e interested in hearing the AU Jazz Fusion Ensemble play, they will be in concert April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Daniel Recital Hall of the Rainey Fine Arts Center on the 糖心Vlog传媒 campus. 听

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鈥淚 knew that my mother loved that instrument so much,鈥� Littlejohn said, 鈥淚 really wanted to make her happy at the time.鈥�听

Littlejohn听has grown significantly in his trumpet playing skills听and now听is听one of a select few who advanced to the live听round of听the National Trumpet Competition, one of the premier musical competitions for trumpet players in the U.S.听听

Littlejohn is one of just 60 undergraduate students from various colleges,听universities听and conservatories across the nation to advance to the competition鈥檚 live performance round.听He鈥檚听the听first ever from 糖心Vlog传媒.听听

Littlejohn听will perform听Alexandra听Pakhmutova鈥檚听Trumpet Concerto听in the competition听taking place March 19-22 at the University of Iowa.听The concerto听was written early in听the Russian composer鈥檚听career and reflects the bold, optimistic spirit of post-war Soviet music.听

鈥�When I read about the piece, something just clicked,” Littlejohn said. 鈥淚’m not sure what it was, but there was a lot that I could find from that story, from the adversity听I鈥檝e had to deal听with in my life, just looking back on that and where I’m at now, even just with keeping in mind my current struggles and how I’m still putting my best听foot forward and trying to obtain my degree, and听just听to听do right by my mother, though she’s no longer here physically.鈥�听

In dealing with his mother鈥檚 passing during his childhood and the deaths of other family members over the years, Littlejohn finds solace in music.听

鈥淲hen I play music, what I notice is that I’m enabling myself to feel the way that I need to feel to get through the moment,鈥� he said.听

Littlejohn, who has played in Anderson鈥檚 wind symphony, jazz fusion combo, jazz big band, and pep band, feels that if it听weren鈥檛听for his professors and the many opportunities and resources 糖心Vlog传媒听has offered him, he would not have gotten as far as he has.听听

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to 糖心Vlog传媒 for providing these听top-notch听quality experiences for me and my colleagues,鈥� said Littlejohn, whose goal is to听consistently improve his musicianship.听

鈥�The music that we read鈥攊t’s not only just about hitting every single note, or being very articulate鈥攂ut it’s more so about what do you think this piece is about by sitting here and playing it,” Littlejohn said, adding 鈥淎nd can you draw something into your life that can make this musical moment near and dear to your heart?鈥�听

Trumpet Professor Chris Imhoff of the South Carolina School of the Arts at 糖心Vlog传媒, said, “This is Marqual鈥檚 first year here at 糖心Vlog传媒 and he has embraced the attitude and culture of our trumpet studio. He is surrounded by a group of hard-working, dedicated students who are there to support each other in times of hardship and push each other to become their best, in music but also in life. 听Marqual is a gifted trumpet player who is growing in the positive, Christ-centered environment of AU. This is a wonderful accomplishment for this young man and the start of an exciting time in his musical journey.” 听

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Current 糖心Vlog传媒 students Madison Church, Sydney Loop, Hollis Williams and AU Alum Olivia Stepp Darling joined students from universities and conservatories around the world this past summer, establishing an international connection with world-class music professionals, stretching their vocal and performing skills while immersing themselves in the language and culture of Italy. Bel Canto students came from the United States, China, Australia, the United Kingdom and Finland.听听

Welborn co-directs Bel Canto with Kathleen McKellar-Ferguson of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. When Welborn and McKellar-Ferguson were teaching together in Italy a year ago for a different program, they realized they worked well together and had similar teaching styles.听听

Welborn said, 鈥淜ath and I wanted to create a new school with expectations of excellence in performance but also wanted to include some interest sessions such as Body Mapping, Performance Anxiety, and Singers Health. We wanted our school to be challenging but fun, as well as create a welcoming and encouraging environment.鈥�

With McKellar-Ferguson鈥檚 European connections, they were able to assemble an international faculty from Italy, France and Finland鈥攅ach bringing their own gifts and expertise into the process.

Bel Canto consisted of morning classes in Italian language and afternoons spent developing vocal skills and extending students鈥� repertoire with one-on-one singing lessons. The program also took a holistic approach to all facets of singers鈥� wellness, exploring body mapping, performance anxiety and vocal health. Also included were masterclasses and discussion forums. Welborn noted that during Bel Canto the days are long鈥攐ften starting at 9 a.m. and running as late as 7 p.m.听

鈥�They gave us a wide range of repertoire and pushed us out of our comfort zones in order for us to grow,” Williams said. 鈥淭he performances also allowed us to share our accomplishments and expand our confidence in these new ideas.鈥�听

The students performed in three concerts鈥攅ach tailored to a different aspect of classical music鈥攁t venues across Todi. Since Todi is a small town, Welborn said that the residents came out to the performances and also got to know the students. Church recalls how Todi residents would be drawn by the sounds of opera they would hear through the open windows and echoing through the streets on warm evenings.听

鈥淭he street was filled with opera singers. I went into the butcher shop one day, the oldest store in Todi. The owner was in there, and he was telling me how thankful he was that we were all there bringing music to their streets, and he cried,鈥� Church recalls. 鈥淚 think that was probably my favorite moment of the whole trip.鈥�听

The Bel Canto students lived with host families, immersing themselves further into the Italian culture while enjoying Italian hospitality. Welborn feels students are getting a wonderful experience being around other students from different countries, learning from each other and growing as musicians in the process. Church feels enriched from her interactions with peers from all over the world, including an Australian student who shared the same host home. Williams has happy memories of staying with Maria, her host 鈥渕om,鈥� enjoying meals together on the porch each day. She said the food was amazing; also, students also enjoyed the best gelatos they鈥檝e ever tasted.听

鈥淚 had a phone call with my friends in Scotland to talk about their opera gigs they have coming up,鈥� Church said, noting that she forged strong friendships with others as they all went through a challenging but rewarding time of learning.听

While in Italy, the students took side trips, including whitewater rafting at Tern and visiting the nearby Orvieto鈥檚 historic cathedral. They also experienced the history and culture of Rome.听

鈥淥ur students stepped up and improved. They learned from each other,鈥� Welborn said.听

One of the concerts was held in the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata.

鈥淧ersonally, I think I grew the most in my performance skills and being able to perform in front of groups of people,鈥� Church said. 鈥淕oing into it, I was more focused on the education aspect and wasn’t really planning to perform or anything like that. But I think it definitely improved my ability to perform in front of people.鈥澨�听

鈥�The experience in Todi allowed me to grow in many ways,” WIlliams said. 鈥淚 was surrounded by experienced performers, teachers, and coaches. Most of these young singers were beginning their master’s degree in the arts, so they had many years of experience ahead of me. This challenged me to be better, and it showed me where I could be in a few years in my singing career. This also reminded me that I am on my own journey, and I will learn all these concepts at my own pace.鈥�听

Welborn and her international colleagues are working to make more connections as they plan for next summer.听听

Details about Bel Canto in Todi can be found .
听

The post South Carolina School of the Arts Professor Co-Directs Intensive Course in Italy appeared first on 糖心Vlog传媒.

The NATS NSA Semi-Finalists have been through many rounds of adjudication.鈥疭tudents鈥痜rom all over the U.S. and some international鈥痵tudents competed at the state, regional, national preliminary and quarter final rounds to be among the final 15 in each category. More than 1,100鈥痵tudents鈥痺ere involved in the competition.听听

The following鈥痵tudents鈥痺ere selected as top 3 finalists and earned honors:鈥�听

• Nathan Fowler鈥�
  First Place, Commercial Music Upper College Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Voices鈥�
  Student of Seth Killen鈥�听

• D’Andre Hicks鈥�
  Second Place, Commercial Music Lower College Tenor, Baritone, and Bass Voices鈥�
  Student of Seth Killen鈥�听

• Harper Krimm鈥�
  First Place, Commercial Music Upper College Treble Voices鈥�
  Third Place, Musical Theater Upper College, Treble Voices鈥�
  Student of Deirdre Welborn鈥�听

鈥�鈥�The following鈥痵tudents鈥痗ompeted in this event as鈥痵emi-finalists鈥�(top 15 semi-finalists) in the nation:鈥�听

• D鈥橝ndre Hicks
  Musical Theater Upper College Tenor, Baritone and Bass Voices
  Student of Seth Killen鈥�听

• D鈥橝ndre Hicks鈥�
  Spirituals Lower College All Voices
  Student of Seth Killen鈥�听

• Harper Krimm鈥�
  Spirituals Lower College All Voices
  Student of Deirdre Welborn鈥�听

• Rebecca Menoni鈥�
  Spirituals Advanced All Voices
  Student of Deirdre Welborn鈥�听

• Jacob Sabella鈥�
  Musical Theater Lower College Tenor, Baritone and Bass Voices
  Student of Seth Killen鈥�听

• Sydney鈥疻ells听
  Commercial Music Upper College Treble Voices
  Student of Deirdre Welborn鈥�听

The post South Carolina School of the Arts Voice Students Earn Honors at NATS NSA Semi-finals and Finals appeared first on 糖心Vlog传媒.

All of these students will move on to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Competition in March 2025 to compete against winners and qualifiers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Congratulations to the students, their teachers, and to staff pianist Janice Wright, along with guest pianists Steve Griner and Sarah Wannamaker.

First Place Winners

Hunter Ballard, First听Place
Third Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

Nathan Fowler, First听place
Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

D鈥橝ndre Hicks, First听Place
Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

Abigail Knight, First听Place
First Year Commercial Music, Treble
Student of Seth Killen

Harper Krimm, First听Place
Third Year College Commercial Music, Treble
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Harper Krimm, First Place
Third Year College Musical Theater, Treble
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Isabella Murrell, First听Place
Fourth Year College, Musical Theater, Treble
Student of Joel Dupont

Gabe Patterson, First听Place
First Year College Commercial Music, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

Sydney Wells, First听Place
Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Treble
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Sydney Wells, songwriter 鈥淣o Regrets鈥�
Original Composition Award Winner
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Additional Place Winners

Hannah Grace Attaway, Third Place, Third Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Zane Beyerl,听Third听Place, Third Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

Jude Collins, Second Place, Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

D鈥橝ndre Hicks, Second Place, Second Year College Commercial Music, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

Anderson Moore, Second Place, Third Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Anderson Moore, Second Place, Third Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Evelyn Ruff, Second Place, Fourth Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Sarah Rhoton, Second听Place, Second Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Jacob Sabella, Second Place, Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

Additional Regional Qualifers

Mady Church, Regional Qualifier, Second Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Katelyn Cohee, Regional Qualifier, First Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Jordan Duncan, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Paola Gonzalez, Regional Qualifier, First Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Joseph Grant, Regional Qualifier, Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Joel Dupont

Isabella Gunter,听Regional Qualifier, First Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Connor Jones, Regional Qualifier, Third Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Joel Dupont

Sydney Loop, Regional Qualifier, Second Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Sydney McCoy, Regional Qualifier, Third Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Rebecca Menoni, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Jenna Ritchey, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Jenna Ritchey, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Rachel Thornhill, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Delisia Welborn, Regional Qualifier, First Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Hollis Williams, Regional Qualifier, First Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Seth Killen

The post SCSA Voice Students Shine at the South Carolina Chapter of the NATS Musical Theater and Commercial Music Competition appeared first on 糖心Vlog传媒.

Growing up in a small town in Upstate New York, Dr. Allan immersed herself in music through piano lessons, playing in her school band and singing in choir.

鈥淚 was the substitute pipe organist in my town and I was in musicals and marching band,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure if I wanted to do music teaching or performance, but then God opened the doors. I believe that music education and research is what He wants me to do.鈥�

Dr. Allan, who is entering her third year on the 糖心Vlog传媒 faculty, desires to help current and future music educators effectively teach students of all ages and abilities.

Dr. Allan is an elementary specialist who has taught music to children of varied abilities in both public and private school settings, including at a school for children with sensory processing disorders and an autism center. She has done extensive research on teaching children with diverse abilities and music teacher preparation for the inclusion of these students.

Dr. Allan has also directed award-winning elementary choirs and has given private piano lessons to people of all ages and abilities.

To students in the Master of Music in Music Education degree program, Dr. Allan teaches courses for music education and research, music teaching and learning, psychology of music and current issues in music education. Additionally, she guides graduate students individually in their research projects to attain their degree.

To undergraduate students, Dr. Allan teaches an elementary music methods class, drawing from her experience and credentials as an elementary specialist.

Whether teaching both graduate and undergraduate students, Dr. Allan wants all her students to experience a personalized approach both online and in the classroom.

鈥淲ith online students, since they are adults, they want that personal face-to-face because that鈥檚 what they鈥檙e used to. That鈥檚 how they grew up, like me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 always open to meeting via Zoom because some of them are across the country. We try to meet as often as needed.鈥�

鈥淒r. Amalia Allan is an accomplished, dedicated, superb member of the Master of Music in Music Education faculty,鈥� said Dr. David Perry, director of the Department of Music. 鈥淒r. Allan is a passionate researcher whose research focuses on teaching music to people with diverse abilities, multiculturalism in music education, and music teacher preparation for inclusion.鈥�

Details about the Master of Music in Music Education course from the South Carolina School of the Arts at 糖心Vlog传媒 can be found online here.

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Krimm was accompanied in the Finals by Nathan Fowler, a Worship Leadership major at AU and an extraordinary guitar player. Molly Tripp accompanied on piano Krimm and听all of the students in the Semi-final round. 听

According to Associate Professor of Music Deirdre Welborn, these students have been through many rounds of adjudication to get to this point.听听

Placing second in the Commercial Music category is special for Krimm, since this is the first year for the category to appear in NATS competition.听

鈥�I love performing live, and getting to perform for people that don鈥檛 usually watch me was extra special as well,鈥� said Krimm. 鈥淭o create connections in a different area of the country was really great. I got to meet musicians from Seattle and Hawaii and all sorts of places.鈥�听

Krimm, whose parents are 糖心Vlog传媒 alumni, looks forward to returning to AU for her junior year.听

鈥淭his year I get to be the band leader for AUthenticity. We鈥檙e currently up in the studios recording an album to be released,” she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about that, too.鈥�听

The students below are the top 14 from across the United States and including several international qualifiers as well. They sang in the Semi-Final Round at the National Student Auditions Semi-Finals at the NATS National Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 27-30.听听听

听

Semi-Finalists听听

(Top 14 students in each category from across the US and some international chapters)听

听听

Nathaneal Browne 鈥� Musical Theater, Lower College, Tenor, Baritone, Bass 鈥� student of Seth Killen听

D鈥橝ndre Hicks 鈥� Hall Johnson Spirituals 鈥� student of Seth Killen听

D鈥橝ndre Hicks 鈥� Musical Theater, Lower College Tenor, Baritone, Bass 鈥� student of Seth Killen听

Harper Krimm 鈥� Commercial Music, Lower College Treble 鈥� student of Deirdre Welborn听

Harper Krimm 鈥� Musical Theater, Lower College Treble 鈥� student of Deirdre Welborn听

Gabe Pattersonn* 鈥� Commercial Music Lower College Tenor, Baritone, Bass 鈥� student of Seth Killen听

Evelyn Ruff 鈥� Musical Theater, Upper College, Treble 鈥� student of Deirdre Welborn听听

Jacob Sabella 鈥� Musical Theater, Lower College, Tenor, Baritone, Bass 鈥� student of Seth Killen听

Sydney Wells 鈥� Commercial Music, Upper College Treble 鈥� student of Deirdre Welborn听

听听

Other students advanced to the Preliminary round and Quarter Final round but were not selected for the Semi-Final Round:听

Scarlett Freeman 鈥� CM Lower College, Treble, Preliminary Round 鈥� student of Seth Killen听

Sydney Loop 鈥� Classical, First Year College, Treble, Preliminary Round 鈥� student of Deirdre Welborn听

Rebecca Menoni 鈥� MT Upper College, Treble, Preliminary Round and Quarter Final Rounds 鈥� student of Deirdre Welborn听

Isabella Murrell 鈥� MT Upper College, Treble, Preliminary Round and Quarter Final Rounds 鈥� student of Joel Dupont听

Mattie Murdock 鈥� CM Lower College, Treble, Preliminary Round 鈥� student of Alex Birch听

听听

听*Gabe Patterson was selected as a Semi-Finalist but was unable to participate due to an injury just before the NSA Semi-Finals听

The post Record Number of 糖心Vlog传媒 Students Selected as NATS NSA Semi-Finalists appeared first on 糖心Vlog传媒.

Rev. Maurice Huggins, better known to his congregation as Pastor Mo, feels blessed to be in the doctoral program at the Clamp Divinity School of the 糖心Vlog传媒 College of Christian Studies as he shepherds , a diverse and growing congregation in the Atlanta area. Mountain West Church is currently up to three services on a typical Sunday.

鈥淲e like to say we鈥檙e a place that looks like hope and feels like home, and that we鈥檙e a church that looks like heaven,鈥� Huggins said. 鈥淓very tribe, every nation and tongue gather here where we lay down our preferences and gather around the gospel of Jesus… The coolest part is to just see people who are bank presidents and other individuals who don鈥檛 know where their next meal is coming from worshiping together. Immigrants as well as citizens worshiping鈥攋ust the beauty of that. We鈥檙e solidly biblical and centered around the gospel and we help to inspire hope in life through the life of Jesus Christ.鈥�

According to Huggins, Mountain West is in a prime location for reaching out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got a vision called Hope 2030鈥� God has called us to make a local imprint and a global impact,鈥� Huggins said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 an accident that we are placed 25 minutes from the busiest airport in the world. We can get anywhere in the world from Atlanta, Georgia. We鈥檙e going to launch a Hope Center to be our local missions initiative. We have expanded our mission footprint already but we鈥檙e going to expand it even further and we鈥檒l have a presence on six out of seven continents. Right now we鈥檙e on two and we鈥檙e going to expand that to six.鈥�

Born to Jamaican parents and himself a third generation pastor, Huggins initially didn鈥檛 feel a calling into ministry. He interned at a law firm in high school and enrolled in college as a political science major with a goal of law school, but during his junior year, God used a Bible class to communicate His calling. 

鈥淚 felt I was called to this and one way or another I was going to do it,鈥� Huggins said.

When Huggins was seeking a doctoral program, he found that at the 糖心Vlog传媒 College of Christian Studies was exactly what he needed. He鈥檚 experienced colleges that run the gamut from liberal to ultraconservative, and was refreshed by what he found at Anderson.

鈥淚 describe Anderson as biblical. The lens is not filtered through a man-made structure before it鈥檚 given to you. Anderson and Clamp are just solidly biblical and focused on showing what the Bible says before you get to your own proclivities and preferences,鈥� Huggins said.

The day-to-day of pastoral ministry can be challenging鈥攁ll the more reason Huggins appreciates his faculty as he works on his doctoral program at Anderson.

鈥淚鈥檝e been introduced to people doing what I鈥檓 doing in the field right now and not just those who are theoretical but putting it into practice鈥� I have put into practice what I鈥檝e been learning. I had a class that taught on planning your preaching for a year. If I had never had that class, I don鈥檛 know how I would survive the first year here,鈥� Huggins said. 鈥淲e grew by 700 people in the first year, and so not having preparation I would have been overwhelmed but to have that all ready and know what I鈥檓 doing, I learned that in a class at Anderson.鈥�

Joining Mountain West鈥檚 staff as Communications Director was Angelina Chisholm, who graduated from 糖心Vlog传媒 a couple of years ago after studying Communication and Worship Leadership. Huggins met Chisholm when she was leading worship for 糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚 Clamp Divinity school at the 2021 National Conference on Preaching in Nashville. He invited Chisholm to visit his church, which at the time was at Stevens Creek Church in Augusta, Georgia. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a pretty cool story, that two AU students meet at an AU sponsored event and then begin serving in a growing, multi-ethnic church together,鈥� said Dr. Kris Barnett of Clamp Divinity School, who supervises Huggins鈥� doctoral program and has also spoken at Mountain West. 

Chisholm recalls a text she got after returning to Anderson for fall after the conference.

鈥淚 got a text from Dr. Chuck Fuller of Clamp Divinity School. He was one of my professors and it turns out that he was also one of Pastor Mo鈥檚 professors. Chuck texted me and said, 鈥楬ey, there鈥檚 someone from the National Conference on Preaching who remembers you and wants to talk to you鈥� and it was Mo. At that point he had come to Mountain West鈥� I didn’t think I made that big of an impression. He didn’t even know what I majored in and when I told him I was double majoring in Communications and Music Worship he was like, 鈥榯hat’s perfect. We’re looking for someone for communication.鈥欌��

Since joining the staff of Mountain West, Chisholm has seen how God uses skills she learned studying Communications and also Worship Leadership at 糖心Vlog传媒. She initially chose to major only in Worship Leadership. Later, seeking out additional programs of study, she decided to also major in Communication. 

鈥淚 chose communications, and I really didn’t think much of it, but the more I did it the more I liked it, and then the more I was talking to people at Anderson, professors and administrators about my majors, they were saying, those two actually go so well together鈥攚orship leadership and communications鈥攂ecause when you work in ministry, you end up doing a lot more than you thought. So it became clear to me that communications could be useful in ministry as well. But I always felt like, well, I’m just supposed to do worship, because I’ve always done worship, and I’ve always loved music,鈥� Chisholm said. 鈥淚 think that the Lord calls people to ministry, not skill sets. You can be really good at something, and you might feel the Lord call you into ministry, and then when you get there, He has you doing something completely different. 

In addition to leading Mountain West鈥檚 communications team, Chisholm also leads musical worship in services.

Information about the 糖心Vlog传媒 College of Christian Studies and Clamp Divinity School can be found online here. Information about the South Carolina School of the Arts at 糖心Vlog传媒 can be found online here.

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Two students from the South Carolina School of the Arts at 糖心Vlog传媒 received top honors at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Student Auditions (NSA) Finals, July 7-8 in San Diego.听

According to Associate Professor of Music Deirdre Welborn, this year’s NATS NSA Competition began with district auditions last fall, followed by regional auditions from which students qualified to audition for the quarter final first round of the National NSA.

鈥淔rom 13,000 singers at the district level, it finally came down to three singers from each category to sing in the finals this weekend. This year’s NSA also included some international students from NATS Chapters abroad,鈥� said Welborn, who is a NATS member and vocal coordinator at the South Carolina School of the Arts. 鈥淚t is a great achievement to make it to the finals.鈥�

In the final round for her competition, Mabry Boyle, a 2023 Music Education graduate, performed “Rosa’s Confession” from The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Boyle was awarded second place for her category.

Welborn said of Boyle, 鈥淪he sang beautifully with poise and presence and great character.鈥�

Harper Krimm, who is pursuing a BM in Vocal Performance and Commercial Music, performed “In Bright Mansions Above,” arranged by Jacqueline B. Hairston. Krimm was awarded third place for her category.

鈥淗arper sang beautifully and presented the song with sincere and authentic emotion and connection,鈥� Welborn said. 鈥淚 am very proud of these two singers. I am privileged and honored to teach them. The Voice Department of the South Carolina School of the Arts is proud to once again be well presented on this National stage.”

Krimm said, “Traveling to San Diego for the NATS National Student Auditions this summer was nothing short of an honor鈥� Being on the youngest side of my category, I was definitely somewhat intimidated by the maturity and poise of my competitors; so, I chose to observe their professionalism for my own personal growth. It was a blessing to have had the opportunity to share my story with the judges and audience through the avenue of music. I am extremely grateful to Professor Welborn for her guidance and her belief in cross training her voice students in multiple genres of music. After my time at AU, I aspire to spend a number of years touring as a jazz vocalist. Many thanks to God for His wonderful blessings and for the gift of music.鈥�

Boyle said, 鈥淚 am so very thankful for the opportunities AU gave me to pursue both my love for teaching music and performing. I was constantly encouraged by my professors to love both teaching and performing. Being able to perform has made me a better musician, especially because of opportunities like the NATS competition. Performing for NATS helped me to always have something I was working towards. If it were not for my voice teacher, Ms. Deedy Welborn, I would not have made it this far in the competition. I am delighted to say that she was my voice teacher for all four years of college. She was my constant support, encourager and mentor throughout my time at AU. She always challenged me to do my very best and pushed me to become the musician I am today.鈥�

The South Carolina School of the Arts

The South Carolina School of the Arts at 糖心Vlog传媒 offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees with majors and concentrations in graphic design, painting and drawing, ceramics, art education, musical theatre, acting, theatrical design, theatre, acting and directing, dance, worship leadership, music education, and vocal, keyboard and instrumental performance. Visit them online here.

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