St. Charles Parish student places at regional competition

Garri Paul

The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) Vocal Music students received awards in their divisions at the annual National Association of Teachers of Singing Southern Regional Competition held at Louisiana State University.

NOCCA students placed second and third in high school women and first place in high school men categories.

Garri Paul, from Destrehan, attends Ursuline Academy and won Second Place High School Women.

The event (Nov. 8-10) was open to high school and college students from Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Each year the Vocal Music Division coordinates a field trip to the competition in order to provide NOCCA students a high level performance opportunity where they are being judged on talent and training.

"We are proud of the efforts and preparation of all of the students that competed," NOCCA President and CEO Kyle Wedberg said. "We also celebrate the three students that placed in the finals. They are fantastic representative of the vocal program and NOCCA. We are proud to have three young artists from three different parishes recognized for their vocal performance in this multi-state competition."

The National Association of Teachers of Singing encourages the highest standards of the vocal art and ethical principles in the teaching of singing; and promotes vocal education and research at all levels, both for the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the talented.

Middle and high school students interested in learning more about the application and audition process to NOCCA are encouraged to visit www.nocca.com.

NOCCA is an agency of the state of Louisiana.