Boothbay resident and vocal teacher and coach, Betsey deGroff, for the second time in a year, coached two of her students to top three finishes in a state wide competition focusing on Broadway musicals.  Earlier this spring, Ms. deGroff accomplished the same feat in a classical music competition.

 

On Saturday, Nov. 5, at Bates College in Lewiston, the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) held the competition and awarded a second and third place prize to Karol Clark and Skip Simonds. Skip is a Boothbay resident and Karol resides in Sheepscot.

 

The competition required singers to sing two songs that were in a popular musical on Broadway or from a movie musical.  Karol’s choices were "Not a Day Goes By" from the musical "Merrily We Roll Along," and "This Place is Mine" from the musical "Phantom."  Skip’s choices were "This Nearly Was Mine" from "South Pacific," and "I’ve Heard It All Before" from the musical "Shenandoah."  Karol and Skip competed in the Avocational age group comprised of singers from age 33 and up.

 

"I’m relatively new to singing in a competition, and I don’t think I would be winning anything if it weren’t for Betsey’s training and coaching," said Skip.  "Of course, as most people know, she is my wife, but that doesn’t give me a break. She’s a true professional and works to make all her students the best. But in truth, if I can do this kind of thing at my age, I’ve got to think anyone can."

 

Ms. deGroff has spent her entire career specializing in vocal music privately, in private schools, and in public high schools and universities.  She currently teaches students out of her home here in Boothbay.  For more information, please see her website:  http://cameratamus.com