Allen Henderson, Executive Director

Allen Henderson holds degrees from Carson Newman College (BM), The University of Tennessee (MM), and the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (DMA) where his minor was in Arts Administration and he was winner of the prestigious Corbett-Treigle Opera Competition.

Prior to his appointment as Executive Director in 2008, he served NATS as district and regional governor and was elected national secretary/treasurer from 2006-2008. He also served as interim executive director from 2007-2008. Henderson was a participant in the 1993 NATS Intern Program and later hosted the program in 1998. He was chair of the Coordinating Committee for the 2008 NATS 50th National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Henderson has held teaching positions at Oklahoma Baptist University, Austin Peay State University, and Georgia Southern University. In these positions he has taught voice, foreign language diction, opera, choral techniques, choral literature, song literature, and directed choirs. He also served as chair of the Departments of Music at Austin Peay and Georgia Southern.

As baritone soloist, Dr. Henderson has appeared in concert, opera, and oratorio across the country. A district winner and regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera auditions, Dr. Henderson was winner of the 1995 National Federation of Music Clubs Artist Awards. He also was a regional finalist in the NATSAA competition.

Deborah Guess, Director of Operations

Deborah Guess is Director of Operations in the NATS Executive Office, and joined NATS in 1997.  Before being appointed Director of Operations in 2006, she served as Office Manager for the Association, and assisted the Executive Director. As Director of Operations, Ms. Guess is responsible for operations of the executive office, marketing and promotions for Association events, planning/coordinating national conferences, and is Managing Editor of the Inter Nos newsletter.

Ms. Guess has over 30 years of experience in event and business management, as well as accounting. Before joining NATS, she held the position of Public Relations Director at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, Florida; served as Assistant to the Director of the Technology Resource Center at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida, assisting with grant writing, promotions of events and computer training for other staff members. She also served as a teaching assistant at the University of North Florida, and did several research internships at the Cummer Art Museum (in Jacksonville) and the St. Augustine Historical Society in St. Augustine, Florida.

Deborah Guess is a Magna Cum Laude graduate and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. She is also a lifetime member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Theta Kappa. Ms. Guess holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Accounting and certification in Volunteer Management, Internal Revenue Income Tax Law, Business Management, and Graphic Design. She has served on the Board of Trustees of the United Methodist Church, and several local charitable organizations.

Susan Grizzard, Membership Services Coordinator

Susan Grizzard is the Membership Services Coordinator for the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Susan joined the staff at the Executive Office in 2001. She was previously employed in the accounting departments of major corporations such as Maidenform and Crowley Maritime Transport. Her responsibilities in Membership Services include the processing of new memberships, dues renewal payments for all NATS members, and maintenance of the membership and subscriber database. Susan is also in charge of all non-member subscriptions to Journal of Singing. Although a native of North Carolina, Susan currently resides in the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband and son.

Kimberly Ehrhardt, Bookkeeper/Executive Assistant

Kimberly Ehrhardt joined the NATS team as the Bookkeeper/Executive Assistant in January 2012. 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.

Joan Adams,  Advertising Coordinator and Administrative Assistant

Joan Adams joined NATS in March of 2006 as Advertising Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. Joan graduated from Boston State College with a Bachelor of  Science degree in Education.  Prior to NATS,  Joan worked for State Street Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts in the Securities Operations Department, first as a Securities Processor and later as an Executive Secretary for several  Vice Presidents. Her responsibilities as Advertising Coordinator cover all Journal of Singing advertiser relations including sales, billing and claims as well as all website and conference advertising.  She is also the registrar for all programs, conferences and workshops. In addition to these responsibilities, Joan handles all the day to day infonats inquiries, and additions and corrections to the NATS website. Joan relocated to Jacksonville from Boston in 2003 with her husband. Her three daughters have since moved down also and her first grandchild was born here. She enjoys going up north to visit family and friends, but is always happy to return to her new life here in Florida!

Mandy Ruddock, Special Events Assistant

Mandy Ruddock joined the NATS office as part-time clerical assistance in 2002, working wherever extra help was needed during the busy season.  Mandy currently serves as the Special Events Assistant, and helps with planning/coordinating national conferences and Board meetings.  She is experienced in retail management, and event planning.  Mandy a native of Florida, is married, and enjoys going to NASCAR races.