The American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATC) is gearing up for its 2017 season, and along with the week-long competition on Feb. 20-24, various community outreach events have been scheduled.

Gold winners Mikki Sodergren, Michael Maliakel and Vale Rideout, along with ATC accompanist Justin Addington from Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, will visit different locations in and around the Savannah community throughout the week of the competition, to educate others on the mission of the ATC and to continue the celebration of classic American music.

Sodergren, Maliakel and Addington will present at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 at St. Andrews School and at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Marshes at the Landings. Maliakel and Addington will visit Bethesda Academy at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. Rideout will sing at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at The Oaks at The Marshes of Skidaway Island.

Maliakel, the 2016 ATC Gold Medal winner, is a New York-based singer/actor who enjoys a diverse career in musical theater, opera, and sacred music. He received early vocal training as a treble in the American Boychoir and completed his undergraduate studies at Georgetown University and the Peabody Institute of Music. He enjoys teaching voice privately and performing regularly with some of New York City’s top vocal ensembles.

Sodergren, the 2014 ATC Gold Medal winner, received her B.A in vocal performance from Luther College and continued her education at Interlochen Arts Academy. She has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic, Opera America, and the Savannah VOICE Festival and is currently a member of three professional choral ensembles.

Rideout, the 2006 ATC Gold Medalist, is an American tenor who has garnered critical acclaim for his musical artistry and superb stagecraft throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to many credits in musical Theater and opera, including 2 years as Raoul in the Hamburg, Germany production of The Phantom of the Opera, He has sung with opera companies such as San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Minnesota opera, Nashville Opera, Central City Opera and Boston Lyric Opera championing roles by Mozart, Britten, Gounod, Donizetti and many living American composers. He is featured on the upcoming first recording of Carlisle Floyd's Wuthering Heights with Florentine Opera and his first solo CD recording of Benjamin Britten and Gerald Finzi's song cycles.

Addington, vice president of the ATC board, currently serves as the Director of Music and Worship for Skidaway Island United Methodist Church. He conducts the Chancel Choir, two adult handbell ensembles, and a Children’s Choir. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Limestone College and was honored as their 2012 Young Alumnus of the Year. He completed a Master’s of Church Music degree in choral conducting from Concordia University Wisconsin and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Worship Studies from the Robert Webber Institute.

Each year this independent, nonprofit 501c3 organization brings the celebration of timeless American music to Savannah while showcasing tomorrow’s vocal talents and superstars. The ATC also provides young singers with support to pursue their dreams they might not have otherwise. Educational and community outreach are an important facet to the organization’s mission.

“This competition season is bound to be the most entertaining yet and that includes onstage at the competition and off-stage during our outreach initiatives,” said ATC board President Daniel Cohen. “It’s incredibly rewarding to have the opportunity to connect with the public through outreach because the community is our strongest supporters and it is important for the ATC to give back.”