NY State Coloratura Soprano, Jena Abati, is Division Winner in MTNA Senior Voice Competition

Jena Abati, a 2010 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, who is currently a freshwoman studying vocal performance at the Eastman School of Music recently won the MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) Senior Voice Eastern Division Competition. This victory means she will be going this spring to the National Competition held in Milwaukee.

A Lancaster, New York native, Jena is the daughter of Joseph and Pamela Abati.

She has been studying voice for 9 years and is currently a student of Professor Katherine Ciesinski.

Opera is the most important focus of Jena's personal development.  She is highly acclaimed in Western New York for her performances and volunteer services. Jena has sung for numerous organizations that include: The Make a Wish Foundation, Lewiston Fine Arts Festival, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres, and Benefit and Mass for Victims of Plane Crash 3407. In high school Jena was a member of Sacred Heart's esteemed Chamber Singers as well as St. Joe’s Swing Choir.

The MTNA Senior Voice National Competition will take place on Sunday, March 27, 2011 during the MTNA National Conference. The national winner of this competition receives a cash prize and will perform in a Winners Concert during the conference.

Music Teachers National Association is a nonprofit organization comprised of 24,000 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.