UAA Senior and Music Major Benjamin (Benji) Wrede is a highly accomplished and widely recognized member of the Music Department and is planning to graduate at the end of the spring semester. Wrede is serving as the director and acting president of the Glee Club at UAA, in addition to participating in various fall Performing Arts productions and singing at Fall 2021 Commencement. 

Benji Wrede has volunteered for, participated in, and excelled in many different Performing Arts areas, such as participating in improv dance courses and production classes in pursuit of a Dance Minor. One of Wrede’s most distinguished accomplishments this fall was placing first in the Upper College Music Theater Division in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition. These accomplishments at the NATS Competition allows Wrede to advance to the Regional Level which includes Alaska, Western Washington and Oregon, and the province of British Columbia.

Reflecting on the NATS award, Wrede said “I was very happy to have won the NATS competition in my division, seeing the scores and comments I received from the adjudicators was refreshing and reinforced my confidence in my singing ability and the benefits of Dr. Mari Hahn’s tutelage. [She] is to thank for many of my collegiate singing achievements. She has worked wonders in guiding me to discover my own potential.”

Dr. Mari Hahn, Department of Music Professor and Vocal Instructor, described Wrede as “a bright light in the Music Department. As they have progressed through the program, Benji Wrede has emerged as a visionary and compassionate leader. Wrede is a popular and beloved presence in the music department, often mentoring students who are in their beginning semesters at UAA.”

Wrede also participates in the Glee Club at UAA, and when asked about the group, Wrede said that “the community and bonding I have found through the Glee Club are life changing, a great balance between work and play that doesn’t drain my battery or stress me out.” Currently, Wrede is serving as the musical director and president, which means managing the programming, auditioning, casting, arranging music, and music direction. When talking about taking on the role of music director and president, Wrede said it “was a bit of a daunting responsibility, but I knew I could do it. The rewards and fulfillment I have felt from this club I will carry with me for a long while.”