April 5, 2011 - Shorter University senior Jasmine Habersham placed third in the nation at the finals of the MTNA Young Artist Competition. The competition finals were held during the national conference of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) in Milwaukee, Wis.

Habersham's journey to the national finals began November 2010, when she won the GMTA Chapter Young Artist Award at Augusta State University in Augusta. In January she went on to win the Southern Division MTNA Young Artist Competition at Columbus State University in Columbus. In this competition, only one winner was selected from an eight-state region that included Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. Habersham competed against six other national finalists—all winners of their respective regions—in Milwaukee.

Dr. Alan Wingard, dean of the School of Fine and Performing Arts at Shorter University, said, “Miss Habersham’s performance at MTNA was stellar.  She was one of few undergraduates in the competition and the first finalist to perform.  Although she sang at 9 a.m., her performance was both musical and passionate.  Those of us who heard her sing were impressed and very proud of her accomplishments.  She brought credit to herself, to her teacher, and to Shorter University.”