First Place! Congrats to the Melodia Studio Students at the NVMTA Competition

Written by Rita Gigliotti | Edited by Danielle Bissonnette

What is the NVMTA Musical Theater (MT) Competition?

The NVMTA Musical Theater (MT) Competition, organized by the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association, is designed to give students invaluable experience in audition processes for the theater industry. This month, I’m thrilled to share that five students from Melodia Studio participated in this exciting competition.

How does the NVMTA MT Competition work?

The competition is open to students in grades 6-12, with adult students eligible for “comments only” participation. It provides a unique platform for students to perform contrasting musical theater song selections and gain industry-level audition experience.

The competition also provides a live accompanist for all participants, and it’s mandatory for students to perform with this accompanist.

Participants do not rehearse with the accompanist beforehand, ensuring consistency across performances and allowing the judges to focus purely on each student's ability. This also challenges students to adapt quickly to performing with live accompaniment, just as they would in professional auditions or productions.

4 out of 5 Melodia Studio Students Placed in 2024

I am incredibly proud of the achievements of all five participants from Melodia Studio. Each competition is a new chance for students to refine their skills and become even stronger performers. The experience of stepping on stage, performing under pressure, and then using constructive feedback to fuel progress is, in itself, a win.

Out of the five participants, four placed: one student earned 1st place, another received 3rd place, and two were awarded honorable mentions. This is a fantastic accomplishment for our studio, and I couldn’t be prouder of each student’s dedication and performance.

To my students, remember: each time you perform, you are growing. Every competition is a stepping stone toward your future success, and I encourage all of you to use this as motivation to keep trying, keep learning, and keep moving forward.

For more information about Melodia Studio and the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association Musical Theater Competition

For more information about the competition, check out the official NVMTA page here.

If you're interested in training at Melodia Studio, fill out and submit this form.