SDSU junior wins first place at national singing competition

South Dakota State University junior Steiger Manson has earned national recognition for his vocal talent, winning first place in the freshman/sophomore tenor, baritone, bass category at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions. 

Manson, a music education major from Center Point, Iowa, began the audition process back in February as part of the North Central Regional Competition. 

He prepared and recorded three pieces in different languages, styles, tempi and time periods with the help of Laura Diddle, the Paul and Doris Moriarty Endowed Professor of Choral Activities; Deb Kalsbeck, piano instructor and Manson’s accompanist; and Bret Werpy, operations manager at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. 

The recordings were evaluated against other singers from South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canadian provinces Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 

After earning first place in the regional competition, Manson advanced through several rounds of judging — including the top 15 nationally — before performing live at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Conference this summer at Temple University in Philadelphia. 

At the conference, Manson attended master classes and workshops while also preparing for his live performance in front of a new set of judges as part of the competition. 

“I was in a competitive group, and many of us have become close friends through competitions and other programs, so it can be hard competing against them, but it is always a blast getting to cheer for your friends when they do well,” Manson explained. 

After one more round of cuts, he sang his final piece in front of judges and the public at the conference’s Finals Concert. 

Manson said he was shocked to receive first place among so many other singers across the nation. 

“I wanted to put as much heart into my final performance as I could,” Manson said. “Often times, I tend to get really wrapped up into making a performance technically perfect that I forget I am making art. So being able to change my mindset for the performance is what I think allowed me to put out a great performance that I was really proud of.” 

“Steiger’s achievement at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to his discipline and heart as a young artist,” Diddle said. “He has worked tirelessly to grow as a musician, and it has been inspiring to watch him embrace both the technical and expressive sides of his singing. We are so proud to see him representing SDSU on a national stage and thrilled for the exciting future that lies ahead of him.” 

Manson credits his support system — friends, roommates, parents and faculty in the School of Performing Arts — for helping him achieve this milestone. He also expressed gratitude for teachers who guided him before college. 

“They laid the foundation of musical knowledge I’ve been able to build upon ever since,” he said. 

Reflecting on his experience, Manson emphasized how much this accomplishment meant to him personally and professionally. 

“Pursuing an artistic passion is a hard thing. Oftentimes, you find yourself chasing ‘perfection,’ and in that process you lose sight of why you started in the first place. …  Winning the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition reminded me that although my dream may be crazy, it’s not totally out of reach.”