For the Reporter

Auburn’s Abigail Miles travels to Chicago in March to compete as a national finalist against the winners of the six other divisions in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Voice Competition.

Miles, daughter of Jennifer and Jerry Miles, earned the opportunity after winning the state’s MTNA Senior Voice Competition at Ellensburg in November and the Northwest Division Competition at Reed College in Portland Ore., last Saturday.

A junior at Auburn Riverside High School, Miles has been studying voice for four years and is a student of Darcie Fulkerson, Covington Voice Studio. Miles is accompanied by Debora Mackey.

Miles’ performed four songs during the competition, including “Un’ombra di pace” by Giovanni Bononcini in Italian, “Liebesbotschaft” by Franz Schubert in German, “Love’s Philosophy” by Roger Quilter in English and “Con que la lavare?” by Joaquin Rodrigo in Spanish.

Miles is a member of the Auburn Riverside High School choir. She enjoys musical theatre and is in rehearsal for the role of Miss Sandra in Auburn Riverside High School’s upcoming production of “All Shook Up”.

She also is an accomplished pianist and plays the violin in the Auburn High School Orchestra. She is serving as ward chorister in her local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The national finals are March 22-26 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. The national winner receives a cash prize and performs in a Winners Concert during the conference.

Music Teachers National Association is a nonprofit organization composed of 22,000 independent and collegiate music teachers committed to advancing the value of music study and music making to society and to supporting the professionalism of music teachers. Founded in 1876, Music Teachers National Association is the oldest professional music association in the United States.