LG
Levi Gerke
  • Music
  • Class of 2014
  • Pilot Grove, MO

Gerke, Terry, and Wilken Place at KCNATS Competition

2015 Feb 26

Three vocal students from Central Methodist University's Swinney Conservatory of Music brought home awards at the Kansas City National Association of Teachers of Singing (KCNATS) competition held February 9 at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan.

Taking top honors were junior Levi Gerke (Pilot Grove), who took first place in the upper men's division; and sophomore Dan Terry (St. Charles) who took first place in the lower men's division. Freshman Kay Wilken (Cole Camp) won third place in the lower women's division in her first participation in this competition.

All three of these vocalists study with Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan, associate professor of music at CMU and head of the opera program.

Gerke, a baritone, is working on his Bachelor of Music degree with majors in voice and piano performance. He has been active in Chorale and Church Street Boys, and has starred in multiple operas, most recently in CMU's production of The Magic Flute.

Gerke also accompanies the Chorale, Church Street Boys, and many student performances. He presented his junior piano recital last fall, and his junior vocal recital is scheduled for March 27.

Terry, a tenor, is a junior pursuing his Bachelor of Music degree with a performance major in voice. He has been active in Chorale and Church Street Boys, and in opera productions. His junior vocal recital is scheduled for March 29.

Wilken, an alto, is in Chorale, Conservatory Singers, Marching Band, Swinney Sisters, and opera. She is currently an education major.

Other students who participated in the KCNATS competition included junior soprano Anna Kay (Boonville); senior soprano Britney Kelcher (Fayette); and senior soprano Shawna Crisler (Fayette), all from the studio of Dr. Quigley-Dugan; freshman bass Elijah Wilhite (Moberly) from the studio of Dr. Laura Wiebe, CMU assistant professor of music; and senior tenor Austin Long (Fayette) from the studio of Dr. Ron Atteberry, CMU adjunct professor of music.