SIOUX FALLS, SD – Augustana alumna Alyssa Nance, class of 2008, won the Nebraska District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions held Saturday in Lincoln.

Nance, a soprano from Sioux Falls, competed at the O’Donnel Auditorium on the campus of Nebraska Wesleyan University. She advances to the Upper Midwest Region Finals to be held February 6 at 12:00 p.m. at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minn.

The purpose of the National Council Auditions Program, sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera, is to find exceptionally talented opera singers and to assist them in their development, to discover new talent for the Metropolitan Opera, and to search for possible participants in the Young Artist Development Program of the Met.

Applicants must have a voice with operatic potential; exceptional quality, range, projection, charisma, communication and natural beauty. Voice training and musical background is a requirement. They must demonstrate an ability to sing correctly in more than one language, and give evidence of artistic aptitude.

At Augustana, Nance majored in music with a sacred music emphasis.

Alumnus receives South Dakota Retailer of the Year Award

SIOUX FALLS – Augustana alumnus Kevin Nyberg, class of 1979, and his father, Roy, are the recipients of the 2010 South Dakota Retailer of the Year Award.

The Nybergs were honored at the South Dakota Retailers Association’s (SDRA) annual awards banquet in Pierre on January 11. In attendance were state legislators and retailers from throughout the state.

The family owns four Nyberg’s Ace Hardware stores in Sioux Falls. They were chosen for the award by a committee of retailers because of their vision, commitment to outstanding customer service, and extensive involvement in civic and community activities.

“From day one, their philosophy of business could be summed up in two words – be helpful,” said outgoing SDRA Board President John Meyer. “They have made it their mission to provide what customers need, when they need it. And they are committed to being ethical and being fair, both with customers and with their employees.”

Kevin Nyberg was recently cited in the Argus Leader for opening his store during a blizzard on Christmas Day to assist a customer with an emergency plumbing problem.

In addition to running a successful business, the Nybergs are involved in civic and community programs including the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Lions and Rotary Clubs, Lincoln High School Booster Club, and the Augustana Alumni Association.

Kevin’s sister, Marin (Nyberg) Huber, graduated from Augustana in 1989. Kevin's daughter, Kelly, graduated from Augustana in 2009.