Southwestern student advances after audition on America’s Got Talent

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary student Lachune Boyd received many positive reviews from the contest’s four judges and a standing ovation from the audience during her audition for America’s Got Talent (AGT) that aired June 27. Boyd, a Master of Music student with a concentration in voice, appeared on national television auditioning to move on the in the televised competition.

“I’m doing pretty darn awesome right now,” said Boyd when asked how she felt during the audition by Howie Mandel, an actor and comedian who is one of the four judges on AGT.

Boyd, who grew up as a pastor’s child in South Carolina, performed an arrangement of the song Yellow by the British rock band Coldplay. Her rendition and rearrangement of the band’s breakthrough hit from 2000 elicited a standing ovation from both the judges and the crowd.

After her performance, the judges each reacted to her vocal performance and provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“You have a beautiful, beautiful voice and I am really fascinated by you,” said Simon Cowell, a music industry executive known for his exacting standards. “It was a fantastic audition.”

“You showed us that these walls that people feel like they’re stuck behind, you make them yourself,” said Mandel. “You tore down that wall and luckily you did because you made your way right here, and your life is about to change.”

The change Mandel was referring to was moving forward in the competition. After each of the judges spoke to Boyd about her performance, she received a unanimous decision to allow her to move on to the next portion of the competition.

Judges Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara were equally impressed with Boyd’s vocal performance and quickly gave her the “yes” vote to move on.

Boyd currently has one semester remaining in her graduate degree and has made an impact during her time at Southwestern. She has performed with both the Cowden Hall Band and Southwestern A Cappella Choir.

“Lachune is nearly finished with her master’s in vocal performance,” said Joseph Crider, dean of the School of Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Seminary. “And not only is she gifted as a singer, she is a deep well in her understanding of aesthetics and the biblical foundations of her art as a singer/musician.”

Crider added, “Her versatility as a singer will serve her well in the future as she continues to teach and perform as a Christian deeply rooted in her faith.”

Boyd’s audition can be viewed here.