2014 NATSAA Regional Winner & 2nd Place National Finalist

Soprano Kayla Wilkens will graduate with a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2014. Kayla is proud to represent the West Central Region in the 2014 National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Awards competition in July. She was also the winner of the graduate women’s division in the 2013 West Central Regional NATS Student Auditions, and was a national finalist in the 2013 National Opera Association Vocal Competition. She performed at the Newmark Theatre in Portland, Oregon, in the 2012 Van Buren Concerto Competition Debut Concert with MetroArts Inc., and was a soloist in Bernstein’s Mass with the Bravo! Vancouver Chorale, as well as the world premiere of Libby Larsen’s Moabit Sonnets with the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. At UNL, Kayla has appeared as La Fée in Cendrillon, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, Marie Shabata in O Pioneers, and understudied Cunegonde inCandide. Recently, she has appeared as a soprano soloist in Bach’s Magnificat and Orff’s Carmina Burana, and also appeared as Cosette in the Lincoln Community Playhouse’s 2013 production of Les Misérables. Kayla is a student of Dr. Jamie Reimer.