Amy Docalavich, a graduate of Starr’s Mill High School and a musical theater graduate of LaGrange College, recently placed third in a renowned national singing competition.
She took honors in a musical theater category in the annual competition sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Dr. Toni Anderson, director of the music program at LaGrange College, is her voice teacher.
“Amy sparkles on stage; she’s a natural,” said Anderson. “I’m not at all surprised that she would win at the national level, and I envision a bright future ahead for her as she pursues her dreams.”
LaGrange singers had a strong showing at the NATS convention, Anderson said. “Of the eight finalists from the Southeastern region, three of them were LaGrange College students.”
Auditions for the national contest are held annually at the state and regional levels, said Dr. Andrea Mueller, professor of applied voice at LaGrange.
“Students must be finalists in their region in order to qualify for the national competition,” she said. “The first round of the national contest is done via YouTube video and is judged by teachers around the country.”
The top 12 to 14 singers in each category then advance to the national semi-finals.
Docalavich joined four other LaGrange College students in the musical theater division of the collegiate-level competition for emerging musical theatre artists.
While in Chicago, the students attended classes and a concert by international opera star Renee Fleming.
