The Toccoa Falls College (TFC) Music Department is celebrating the recent successes of its students and faculty.
Four TFC vocal music students received awards at the Georgia National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) vocal competition in early November.
Elias Rodriquez won first place in the Junior TTB Classical category, receiving a cash prize and the opportunity to perform in the final winner’s concert.
Aeryn Barrentine placed third in the Senior Treble Classical category. She was selected as an alternate for a masterclass by renowned tenor Roderick Dixson.
All four students, including Sarah Lushen and Emma Lee Miller, achieved scores that averaged in the 90th percentile.
Dr. You Ju Lee, Professor of Music at TFC, represented the college on an international stage in October, performing at the Franz Liszt Grand Hall in Vienna, Austria. This performance was a career highlight for Dr. Lee, made possible by her successful debut concert at Ehrbar Saal in July.
According to TFC spokesperson Jenny White, a TFC student who traveled from Germany to attend made the experience even more special.
Dr. Lee described the performance as “a breathtaking experience in a full house…performing at such an esteemed venue was a long-term goal of mine. I am incredibly grateful to God for it… Sharing this story with my students will, I hope, inspire them as they prepare for their own future careers in music. I was honored to represent Toccoa Falls College as a faculty member from the U.S. on an international stage.”
White says these recent achievements demonstrate the collaborative learning environment and dedicated faculty of the TFC Music Department.
