Several students of the West Liberty University Department of Music and Theater have returned with high honors to the hilltop campus from the National Association of Teachers of Singing eastern regional competition in West Chester, Pa.

Erin Mazzocca of Wheeling took home first place honors in the “Senior Women” category, while Alan Cline, Wellsburg, received the highest award for junior men. M. Matthias Dotson was named second place winner among senior men.

Cassandra Hackbart, Masontown, was awarded first place in the Music Theater Upper Division.

Semi-finalists in the regional intercollegiate competition included Kassidy Wells of Wellsburg and Alexandra Perkins, Dublin, Ohio, in the “Junior Women” event, and Timothi Williams of Colliers, W. Va., among the sophomores.

NATS is a national organization made up of singing teachers, professional singers, actors, voice specialists and doctors.  It is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world.

Associate Professor of Voice Linda Cowan accompanied the WLU students to the most recent regional competition.