The iconic performer Florence Henderson has a new award to add to her list of accolades—She is the first ever recipient of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Lifetime Achievement Award.  Ms. Henderson was presented with this award on July 2, 2012 during the NATS 52^nd National Conference in Orlando, Florida. The award honors her career and legacy as an accomplished singer and performer.

While most remember her as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch,  Florence Henderson’s career spans the entertainment industry including a long and successful career on Broadway.  She played the role of Laurey in the last national tour of the original production of Oklahoma! Her Broadway debut in a starring role was as the title character in  Fannie in November of 1954. Other Broadway and theater credits include the role of Maria in the national tour of the Sound of Music and the role of Nellie in the first revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center. In 1966, she was the very first woman to guest host The Johnny Carson show.

Henderson was a performer on many variety shows including The Bell Telephone Hour, The US Steel Hour, and The Dean Martin Show. She hosted Country Kitchen on the Nashville Network for nine years, has been a spokesperson for many products, and was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2010.

“This is an very exciting evening for us,” said Allen Henderson, Executive Director of the NATS, as he presented Ms. Henderson with her Lifetime Achievement Award, “ Our honoree, Florence Henderson, has shaped the history of Broadway, theater, television, and the entire entertainment industry.”

Florence Henderson’s gracious, funny, and thoughtful acceptance speech recounted her career and paid homage to the commitment and dedication of voice teachers. “I’ve been so blessed with my voice teachers,” said Henderson, “and I’m sure that’s why I’m singing pretty darn well at the age of 78!”

In her memoir, Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond, published in 2011, Henderson writes of the impact of her very first voice teacher. In her acceptance speech, she spoke of many voice teachers who have had a positive and lasting impact on her career.

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About NATS, INC. and the NATS National Conference

Founded in 1944, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 7,300 members in the United States, Canada, and over twenty-five other countries. In addition to sponsoring one of the most prestigious competitions for classical singers, NATS Artist Awards (NATSAA), NATS offers a variety of lifelong learning experiences to its members: workshops, intern programs, master classes, and conferences. NATS National Conferences offer opportunities for education and networking for voice and singing professionals.

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