Voice students from Stetson University continued their strong legacy of success at the 2026 SERNATS competition, (Southeastern Region: National Association of Teachers of Singing), held March 12-14 at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. This regional competition includes high school, collegiate and adult singers from Florida, Georgia and Alabama, competing in four main categories: Classical, Musical Theater, Commercial Music and the Hall Johnson Spirituals category. Stetson students participated across 34 categories and 28 were named finalists.

In the Classical categories, standouts included three 1st place winners who were showcased on the Winners’ Concert. The students listed below study in the studios of Dr. Chadley Ballantyne, Dr. Carly Wingfield, Dr. Karen Coker Merritt and Dr. Nathan Munson. (Dual teacher names denote substitute assignments while Dr. Ballantyne is on sabbatical for Spring 2026.)

• Jacob Mazzone, Freshman TBB (Ballantyne/Wingfield Studio)

• Hank Evans, Sophomore TBB (Ballantyne/Merritt Studio)

• Lis Lundstrom, Junior Trebles (Ballantyne/Merritt Studio)

Other Classical category winners included:

• 2nd place: Nicole Van Esselstyn, Freshman Trebles (Merritt Studio)

• 2nd place: Madiann Rivera-Velez, Junior Trebles (Merritt Studio)

• 4th place: Ian Stephens, Freshman TBB (Munson Studio)

• 4th place: Emy Acosta, Senior Trebles (Merritt Studio)

• 5th place: Adriana Rivera Maldonado, Senior Trebles (Ballantyne/Munson Studio)

In Musical Theater, senior Emy Acosta (Merritt Studio) was a standout performer with her 1st place win in the Senior Treble division. Junior Madiann Rivera-Velez (Merritt Studio) also took 5th place in the Junior Treble category.

Stetson saw its first entrant in the new Commercial Music division with junior Eloisy Goncalves (Ballantyne/Wingfield Studio), who took an impressive 3rd place win in her category.

The Hall Johnson Spirituals Competition is held every two years as part of the NATS national conference. Sophomore Lilyadny De Leon (Merritt Studio) placed 5th in this category—an impressive feat given that this single category is open to all collegiate classes and genders.

In total, Stetson students earned 12 official wins across nine separate categories, making them eligible to move on to the National Rounds. Included in these 12 awards were four 1st place winners, two 2nd place winners, one 3rd place winner, two 4th place winners and three 5th place winners.

The faculty from Stetson’s Voice area wish to express their immense pride in these remarkable students, whose dedication and artistry continue to uphold the rich musical legacy of the Stetson School of Music. Congratulations to all who participated!