June 18, 2026
Butler School of Music Assistant Professor of Voice Liliana Verónica Guerrero has been named one of three finalists for the Barbara Hill Moore Emerging Teaching Artist Award, a national honor presented by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). The final round of the competition will take place during the NATS National Conference in San Antonio over the Fourth of July holiday.
The award recognizes a rare combination of excellence in both teaching and professional performance, reflecting the career of its namesake, renowned opera singer and educator Barbara Hill Moore.
During a recent rehearsal, Guerrero explained why this competition stands apart from many others she has entered throughout her career.
"Barbara Hill Moore is a legend in the opera world," Guerrero said. "What made her so special is that while she was building a career teaching, she was also singing professionally. She wanted to create a competition that recognizes artists who are doing both, because not everyone is."
Even qualifying for the competition was an achievement. Applicants were required to demonstrate at least five years of teaching experience, provide evidence of upcoming professional singing engagements, and submit a full-length professional recital recording. From the national applicant pool, judges selected just three finalists.
The finalists will each present a recital performance in San Antonio before a panel of judges, with the winner receiving a cash prize.
Performing at a conference presents unique challenges. Unlike a traditional concert hall, the competition takes place in a conference center ballroom along the River Walk, where carpeting and drapery can significantly alter the acoustics.
To prepare, Guerrero focuses less on the room's sound and more on communication.
"I focus on telling the story and finding an emotional connection with the audience," she said. "In a carpeted room with curtains, you can't always trust what you're hearing, so you have to trust the connection you're making."
Liliana Guerrero in her studio, preparing for the Barbara Hill Moore Emerging Teaching Artist Award.
The competition is just one part of a busy week for Guerrero at the national conference. She will also present and perform selections from MILAGROS, the album she recently recorded with pianist James Maverick. In addition, she will mentor students participating in conference events, including Butler students Sydney Becktold and Ashton McKenzie, who advanced to national-level competition after success in earlier rounds.
Guerrero will conclude the conference as a member of a featured sextet performing selections from Leonard Bernstein's Songfest, the 12-movement work commissioned for America's Bicentennial that will close the national gathering. She will be joined by fellow singers Page Stephens, Mikhail Smigelski, Steven Brennfleck, Afsoneh Esfandiari, and Ashton McKenzie in the performance.