Vero Voce voice student success in Hal Leonard Vocal Competition

(SAINT CHARLES) Vero Voce Theater & School of Performing Arts successfully entered two voice students, Natalie Wiley and Madeline Hotham, in the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, Children’s Musical Theatre category (through age 12). The competition was held via video entry on youtube. With over 250 entries in this category from all over the US and Canada, Wiley received Second Place and Hotham, received Third Place, showing their technical and artistic prowess and ability.

“This was a magnificent result in a competition of this caliber,” states Dawn Harkins, Managing Director at Vero Voce. "These students are the epitome of excellence shown by students of Vero Voce. We look forward to entering more of our students in the future to both musical theatre and classical competitions. In the meantime, I am very proud of Natalie and Madeline."

Wiley, of St. Charles, a 12 year old 7th grader at Thompson Middle School and a student of Harkins, has performed more than 14 musical theater roles. Previous credits include a nomination for Best Actress in a Youth Musical/Phoenix – Patrice in “13 The Musical,” First Place - NATS CCM 2016 YWA Category Musical Theater – Valley of Sun Chapter, National Youth Arts Nomination – Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division) – Sally Brown.

Hotham, of Batavia, a 12 year old 6th grader at Rotolo Middle School and student of Harkins, has performed numerous musical theater roles including understudy to Young Eponine and ensemble member in Paramount Theatre, Aurora’s 2015 production of Les Miserables. Other awards include First Prize in the 2016 global, online Great Composers Competition “The Art of Musical Theatre”.

One of the aims of the Hal Leonard Vocal Competition is to allow singers of the same age group, working on similar material, to hear one another, no matter where they live in the U.S. or Canada. A playlist of all videos placing First through Semi-Finalist in the Children’s Musical Theater category (through age 12) can be seen on the 2017 Children’s Musical Theatre Results, Hal Leonard youtube page.

Vero Voce was established in 2001 and quickly expanded into a 7,000 square foot facility with multiple studios and classrooms including a 1200 square foot studio theatre at 951 State Avenue, Suite F, in Saint Charles. For more information and to arrange for lessons, please visit the website: www.verovoce.com, or call (630) 584-0139. Private lessons and course descriptions and fees are listed on the website, as well as an online registration form. Major credit cards are accepted.