The epitome of vocal talents was revealed when Alexandra Mejia, junior vocal performance major, received first place in the Junior Women’s Southern Region Division of the National Association of the Teachers of Singing (NATS).
The competition was held on March 10 at Nicholls State University. Mejia won out of an estimated 50 contestants, performing “Willow Song” from “The Ballad of Baby Doe” by Douglas Moore for the final round of the competition.
“I started singing because I felt that it was a part of my life that seemed complete,” said Mejia. “I felt like a better person when I started singing and that it relieved all my worries and all the stresses that I had.”
Mejia is originally from Sikeston, Mo. but moved to Bush, La. 14 years ago and now currently lives on campus.
Mejia began her musical career not as a singer, but rather as a flutist. She began taking flute lessons in fifth grade and continued to play for the next ten years.
Mejia joined the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) and spent her last two years of high school playing in the symphony of the most advanced GNOYO orchestra. During her final year, the symphony won an invitation to play in Carnegie Hall out of hundreds of other youth orchestra applicants.
“I felt like I had so much more to give with singing rather than flute,” said Mejia. “Though I love playing the flute, I just didn’t feel complete in doing so while I was in college. It grew to be a hobby more than an actual passion.”
Mejia did not take singing seriously until her freshman year of college when she began taking private voice lessons with Steven Rushing, associate professor of voice, with whom she has studied for the past three years.
“I developed a true passion for singing with Dr. Rushing,” said Mejia. “He helped me to see where my passion really was, and that was in singing.”
Rushing believes Mejia is one of those rare, gifted students as well as a committed musical individual.
“Alexandra is one who deserves recognition for her perseverance and hard work. Having a natural talent is simply not enough to succeed as a vocal artist,” said Dr. Rushing. “One must be willing to devote hours of practice and study in order to know themselves better and refine their musicianship skills and artistic abilities. Alexandra is one of those individuals.”
Mejia described her routine when preparing for performances..
“First, I warm up through vocalizations and then I take deep breaths and then I just sing through my music to make sure everything is ready for performances,” said Mejia. “Sometimes you need to do that just so you can find out where your voice is that day.”
When asked about her inspirations, Mejia explained her love of opera and her belief in God’s guiding hands.
“The talent of the opera singers inspires me to work harder,” said Mejia. “God is also a big inspiration because without him, I personally don’t think I would be here right now in music. It was really his hand that led me to where I am right now.”
Mejia, who is working on a minor in English, went to great lengths describing how her passion for English helps her truly appreciate the words and the emotions in music.
“My third inspiration is English,” said Mejia. “If you don’t really have a passion for words, then the integrity of singing won’t really come through. The singing would be just singing and would lack a more emotional level.”
Before continuing on with her day, Mejia wanted to make sure she gave a big thank you to several of the influential people in her musical journey.
“Thanks to the entire voice faculty of Southeastern because without all of them I wouldn’t be where I am,” said Mejia.
For more information regarding NATS, visit their website at www.nats.org. For more information about GNOYO visit their website at www.gnoyo.org.