Published On: Sun, Apr 8th, 2012

National Society of Arts and Letters Announces Winners of Musical Theatre Competition

By: Barbara McCormick

BOCA RATON — The National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) Boca Raton South Florida Chapter recently held the 2012 Career Awards Musical Theatre Competition at Lynn University’s Amarnick-Goldstein Concert Hall. The event was hosted by Jan McArt, theatre arts program director at Lynn University and Dr. Jon Robertson, Dean, Lynn University Conservatory of Music.

Shari Upbin, competition director, Judi Asselta, NSAL president, together with Alyce Erickson, advisor, welcomed 29 talented competitors, who were vying for $3,500 in prize monies and a chance to participate in the NSAL 2012 National Musical Theatre Competition. Each student presented two songs and a monologue. Many selected music and monologues from Broadway Productions.

Judges for the competition included Bob Avian, recipient of numerous Tony Awards;
Clive Cholerton, artistic director of Caldwell Theatre Company, Dr. Esther Jane Hardendergh, chair of Department of Vocal Performances, University of Miami Frost School of Music, and Avery Summers: Broadway actress, soloist, and Florida Film Awardee.

Underwriters for the competition were Marilyn Nelson, Beth Holland, Shari Upbin, Dorinda Spahr, Hildegard Scherzberg and the National Society of Arts and Letters.

Following lunch and deliberation by the judges, the winners were announced:
Chloe Dolandis of Boca Raton, (first place); Jose Luaces of Miami (second place) and Melanie Sierra of Delray, (third place.)

President Asselta thanked contestants, NSAL sponsors, committee members, friends and assistants for participating in the most successful Career Awards Competition to date.

Competition Director Shari Upbin described the NSAL Musical Theatre Competition as particularly exuberant. Shari remarked: “The varied songs and monologues of the 29 contestants made the decision for the judges difficult and close. Chloe Dolandis was the first place winner, with her presentation of The Coronet Man from Funny Girl. Chloe will participate in the NSAL National finals in El Paso, Texas in May, hoping to become the winner of the First Place Musical Theatre Competition Crown.”

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