Jason Rahardjo, a voice student from Briercrest College and Seminary, was stunned when he won the Saskatchewan district NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition at the University of Regina on March 16, 2008.

He’ll be representing the entire province at the regional competition in Moorhead, Minnesota. If he wins, he’ll go on to Nashville for nationals and maybe even a concert at Carnegie Hall.

“I’m pretty sure I was so nervous I made [my voice teacher] nervous,” said Rahardjo, one of two competitors from Briercrest, but he still managed to wow the adjudicators with his smooth baritone after having prepared 18 songs for the competition.

“I didn’t understand it when [the judge] said that I won. I just froze for a few seconds…my friends said my mouth was wide open. I was so happy but it was all a surreal moment to me,” said Rahardjo.

It was a little less shocking for Ron de Jager, Rahardjo’s voice teacher and a music professor at BCS. He said, “[Jason] has been naturally gifted with a fine instrument and also has strong musical instincts, which are essential to a singer. It is always encouraging to see my voice students grow as singers, performers, and as well-rounded persons. Jason is no exception.”

Rahardjo will graduate from BCS next year with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Performance Emphasis. He’s not sure what will come next, but for now, he’s gearing up for regionals.

“I feel blessed to have made it this far,” he said. “In all, this is for experience to get out there and sing in front of different people. It will take focus and discipline to do the best I can for the next competition.”

It will take place on the Concordia College campus on April 13, 2008.