MACON — Mercer University rising senior Cailey Martinez recently won first place in the undergraduate division of the Opera Guild for Atlanta Scholarship Competition.
Mercer was the only university with three students competing in each of the six-person final rounds. Rising senior from Americus Alana Blankenship was a finalist in the undergraduate division, and Jill Reynolds, who is from Columbus and graduated in May with a Master of Music in performance, competed in the graduate division of the competition.
“All three students sang stunningly beautiful auditions showcasing their natural talent, their technical and musical skills, and their expressive abilities through music,” said Dr. Richard Kosowski, Townsend School of Music chair of vocal studies and professor of music.
Students from the University of Georgia, the University of Michigan, the University of Houston, Emory University, Berry College, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University and Columbus State University competed in the finals round.
Martinez, a music education major from Douglas, received $1,000 to help defray the cost of attending the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop at Georgia State University this summer.
