NEW YORK – Berri Harris received the Florence Birdwell Award for first prize in the NATS 2024 National Musical Theatre Competition on Monday, January 8 in Neidorff-Karpati Recital Hall at the Manhattan School of Music. A student of Melissa Treinkman at the University of Southern California, Harris received $10,000 in cash and prizes.

Among the six finalists, Adam Morrison, a student of Kelly Holst, received the Linda J. Snyder Award (second prize); Julien Gussman, a student of Debra Lambert, received the Louise Lerch Award (third prize); and Brianna Reed, a student of Lora Lee Gayer, received the Bill Hayes Award (fourth prize).

Finalists earning honorable mention were Luke Weber, a student of Shayna Isaacs; and Sebastian Plymette, a student of Jeanie Darnell.

2024 NMTC Florence Birdwell Award winner (first prize) Berri Harris. Photo credit: Toby Winarto.

The semifinal and final rounds of the 2024 National Musical Theatre Competition were held in conjunction with the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Winter Workshop. The singers performed in front of a live audience of top professionals in the music industry. The 2024 competition was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Florence Birdwell — NATS member and legendary teacher at Oklahoma City University.

Acclaimed host, pianist, and radio personality Seth Rudetsky emceed the competition, Tony Award-winning actor and singer Kelli O’Hara was an honorary host, and Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Adam Guettel served as one of the final round competition adjudicators. Andy Einhorn, JoAnn Hunter, and Matt Redmon also served as final round adjudicators.

Sponsors included Hal Leonard Corporation, Creative Studios by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Manhattan School of Music, Broadway Up Close, the Foundation Heritage Fund of the NATS Endowment, and Bedell Cellars. Special thanks to our sponsors.

NATS also is grateful to the many donors whose generosity and belief in the power of musical theatre have enriched the National Musical Theatre Competition and empowered the next generation of talented performers. Thank you to our supporters. View donors.

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As the Florence Birdwell Award (first prize) winner, Harris receives a $10,000 cash award, a concert at the 2024 NATS National Conference in Knoxville, and a $1,000 gift certificate from Hal Leonard Corporation.

2024 NMTC Florence Birdwell Award winner (first prize) Berri Harris with pianist Jan McDaniel. Photo credit: Toby Winarto.

The NATS National Musical Theatre Competition (NMTC) was launched in 2011 as the first national competition for the emerging professional musical theatre soloist. Now in its seventh iteration, NMTC has provided industry connections to past competitors and winners that have led to their success. Past NMTC participants have gone on to be in major Broadway productions, including Aladdin, Dear Evan Hansen, On Your Feet, Bad Cinderella, Phantom of the Opera, Hello, Dolly!, Carousel and more.

A complete list of the winners is below:

• Florence Birdwell Award (1st prize - $10,000 in cash and prizes): Berri Harris, Los Angeles, California
• Linda J. Snyder Award (2nd prize - $3,000 in cash and prizes): Adam Morrison, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Louise Lerch Award (3rd prize - $1,000): Julien Gussman, San Jose, California
• Bill Hayes Award (4th prize - $750): Brianna Reed, Grapevine, Texas
• Honorable Mention (sponsored by the Foundation Heritage Fund of the NATS Endowment- $500): Luke Weber (Dallas, Texas), Sebastian Plymette (Fort Myers, Florida).

About Berri Harris

Berri Harris is a senior at the University of Southern California where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in musical theatre. (Fight On!). At school, she has been in numerous shows including: Godspell (Lindsay), Carrie (Margaret White), Sondheim on Sondheim (Featured Soloist), and Pippin (ensemble). During school, she has become passionate about vocal pedagogy, and the voice’s full capabilities and uniqueness from one individual to another. Harris looks up to her teacher, Melissa Treinkman, for her nurturing and encouraging spirit toward her exploration of this topic.

Harris grew up in Tyler, Texas, where she attended Tyler Legacy High School. She began her love for theater doing STAR camps at Tyler Civic Theater Center and performing with the Pollard Theater Center at the Pollard United Methodist Church. She knew she was passionate about the performing arts when she sought out opportunities outside of her hometown to learn and grow as an artist. She became very involved in the Dallas/Fort Worth area performing with Casa Mañana and the Granbury Theater Company. During these cultivating years, she played some dream roles including Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Little Red (Into the Woods), Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Beth March (Little Women) and Roxie Hart (Chicago).