National Association of Teachers of Singing is pleased to announce a new partnership with SongFest 2012.  SongFest has established a Mentor Program especially designed for voice teachers and coaches and is offering two full-tuition scholarships to NATS members (valued at $850, room and board not included) to attend SongFest 2012 “Breaking the Song Barrier.”

SongFest Mentor Program participants will enjoy the opening reception, attend specific performing classes, observe all master classes, optionally sing/play in two master classes, and learn from a selected faculty member in a private lesson/coaching session. The faculty members scheduled to participate at SongFest 2012 include William Bolcom, Amy Burton, Melanie Emelio, D’Anna Fortunato, Margo Garrett, Jake Heggie, Martin Katz, Libby Larsen, John Musto, Rosemary Hyler Ritter,  Lisa Saffer, William Sharp, Liza Stepanova, Jennifer Tung, Roger Vignoles, Lucas Wong, and Frances Young.

“NATS continues to expand its membership benefits, and this SongFest scholarship is yet another way for you to find value in your association with NATS,” says Allen Henderson, Executive Director.

NATS is pleased to announce that Kimberly Ehrhardt has joined the NATS team as the Bookkeeper/Executive Assistant. Her responsibilities include assisting with all financial areas, as well as day-to-day office administrative functions. She will also work with the team on coordinating workshops and conferences. A New Jersey native, she is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. She has over twenty years of experience working in the financial field, as well as experience with event planning and fundraising. Kimberly has worked with various choirs and has always had a passion for music. She relocated to Jacksonville in 2012, where she resides with her husband.

National Association of Teachers of Singing is privileged to announce that the Featured Opening Session Master Class at its 52nd National Conference will be presented by Jane Eaglen. Four young, professional singers will be selected to perform operatic arias or song literature and receive instruction from Ms. Eaglen on June 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the Oceans Ballroom at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld Resort.

Don't Miss These Important February 1st Deadlines for NATS Members!

There are three important deadlines coming up on Wednesday for NATS Members that we don't want you to miss: membership renewal and applications for the Independent Teacher Fellowships and the Voice Pedagogy Award. NATS member have until February 1st to renew their memberships to avoid a $10 late charge. Members not renewed by March 1st lose all member privileges, so please save time and postage by renewing online. Independent Teacher Fellowship and Voice Pedagogy Award applications are also due on February 1st.

National Music Theater Competition Now Accepting Applications

The first nationwide competition for music theater soloists, the National Music Theater Competition (NMTC), has announced the opening of online applications through digital audition management sponsor, ArtsApp. Sponsored by National Association of Teachers of Singing, the National Music Theater Competition is open to performers age 20-28 by the application deadline of March 1, 2012.

The NMTC aims to seek out and award the best emerging talent in music theater in 2012. Eligibility and repertoire requirements are posted at http://www.musictheatercompetition.com. With over $10,000 in cash and prizes offered to the top three contestants, additional sponsors include Hal Leonard Corporation, Stage Door Access, and ArtsApp. "In partnership with NATS, ArtsApp is honored to be a part of the first National Musical Theater Competition," says Dejen Tesfagiorgis, President of ArtsApp. "We see this as an opportunity to bring the power of ArtsApp online auditions to this great organization. As musicians ourselves, we hope to continue building relationships with international leaders in music education."