BELLEFONTE — Seventh grader Addison Wynkoop, who attends Bellefonte Area Middle School, will compete for the top title in the National Association of Teachers of Singing’s 2024 National Student Auditions competition, after being selected as a semifinalist.
Wynkoop was selected from over 1,000 other youth performers in the preliminary rounds of the competition, beating out a wide pool of talented singers from 14 American and Canadian regions, as well as performers from six chapters spread out over four continents. Wynkoop’s achievement puts her in the top 15 of the NATS musical theater singers.
On Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27, she will compete in Knoxville, Tennessee. Should she win, she will not just get first place, but will also be the first ever to win in the newly added youth musical theater category.
During the competition, Wynkoop will perform “Watch What Happens,” from the musical “Newsies,” in which she played the role of Katherine earlier this year when Bellefonte Area Middle School did a performance of the show. She will also perform “I Can’t Say No” from the musical “Oklahoma.”
Wynkoop is a vocal student of Kelly Scott Studios in Bellefonte, and she shared more about how her voice coach and teachers have helped her achieve this level of success.
“This accomplishment feels unreal to me. I didn’t think I would make it this far, but I am overjoyed that I did,” Wynkoop said. “I am so grateful for the support of my voice coach, Kelly Scott, and my BAMS drama directors, Mrs. [Jessica] Cetnar and Mrs. [Jayme] Zimmerman. They have all taught me so much and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
And while the competition is an opportunity for Wynkoop to demonstrate her talents, performing has a deeper meaning for her.
“What I love most about performing is the way I can affect people’s day. It makes me super happy when I get a compliment from someone. It makes me smile knowing that they enjoyed my performance,” Wynkoop shared. “I also just love sometimes taking on the role of a character who is very different than me. For example, I will be playing the role of Janis in the upcoming ‘Mean Girls Jr.’ production at Millbrook Playhouse.”
While Wynkoop is just starting to build the acting credits on her resume, she has big dreams of pursuing musical theater professionally.
“My biggest goal in life is to be on Broadway one day. It would be an incredible experience that I know someday I could possibly achieve,” Wynkoop said. “That’s all I want to do — perform on stage for audiences and share my talent with the world.”
