Powell advances in woodwind competition 
Rafael Powell, a senior saxophone performance major at Henderson State University, will compete Jan. 10 in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Woodwind division competition in Houston, Texas.
Powell, a Little Rock native, earned the opportunity after winning the Arkansas MTNA Young Artist Woodwind competition last fall. He has participated in both regional and national CBDNA intercollegiate bands and was a 2015 winner of Henderson’s concerto competition.
After graduation, Powell plans to pursue a master’s degree in multiple woodwinds and teach saxophone or multiple woodwinds at the university level. He currently studies saxophone and clarinet with Steve Becraft and flute with Jennifer Amox.
The winner of the event in Houston will compete in the national finals during the MTNA National Conference in San Antonio in April.
The three-tiered MTNA competitions begin at the state level. Winners of each state competition advance to the division competition. Division winners then proceed to the national competition finals.
MTNA is a nonprofit organization comprised of 22,000 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.