Students & Parents

Before you Audition | Revised Guidelines | Participation Cost 

What to Know Before You Audition

Participating in NATS Student Auditions is a partnership between the student singer, their voice teacher, and, when appropriate, their parent or guardian. Your teacher will help determine the correct audition category based on factors such as age and length of study, select repertoire that meets the requirements, and guide you through registration and preparation. Audition formats, dates, fees, and advancement procedures can vary by Chapter and Region, so be sure to review the information for the specific audition you are entering. Depending on the event, singers may audition live or by video and will receive feedback from NATS adjudicators as part of the educational experience.

For singers under the legal age of majority, there are a few additional requirements for live NATS events. A minor must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, and a parent or legal guardian must complete the required chaperone form. The designated chaperone may be the parent or guardian, but may not be the singer’s NATS voice teacher. Students participating by video should also review the video submission requirements carefully; NSA guidelines address when recordings may be made, how performances should be recorded, and presentation expectations.

Awards, rankings, and advancement can be exciting parts of participation, but the larger purpose of NSA is to support artistic growth, build confidence, and provide meaningful performance experiences along the way.

NSA Generations & Class Notes A vibrant group of former and current student auditioners, as well as their families. Learn More

Video Audition Submission Guidelines Make it easy for adjudicators to see and hear the true YOU. Learn More

Your Path to NSA From chapter/regional auditions to national finals, step-by-step. Learn More

Revised Guidelines by Category

Review the latest NSA guidelines by category. Select a button below to access the revised guidelines.

 

What Does It Cost to Participate?

There is a registration fee to participate in every NATS Student Audition, and when collaboration with a pianist is required or desired, there will be a cost associated with hiring a skilled personal pianist or reserving a staff pianist. Depending on where you live, your chapter, region or national audition may be a long way from home, adding travel and hospitality costs.

#1 - Region Level

At the Region level, fees vary by event but generally range from approximately $20–$50 for each category or genre entered for registration. If a student enters more than one category or genre, a separate registration fee may apply to each entry. Plus, an additional fee if the student needs to reserve a staff collaborative pianist if the singer is not bringing their own pianist, as well as any travel, lodging, meals, or other personal expenses associated with attending an in-person Regional audition. Contact the Audition Chair for your particular audition to better understand those costs. 

Note: The student’s voice teacher is responsible for completing the audition registration and submitting the required fees. Students and parents should make arrangements directly with the teacher for reimbursement of those registration costs, according to whatever payment arrangement has been established between the teacher and family. Also make note of the Refund Policy.

#2 - National Level - Preliminaries - National Student Auditions (NSA)

Singers who qualify at the Region level will receive an invitation in early April to participate in the National Student Auditions Preliminary Round via Video Audition. The registration fee is $95 for each category or genre entered for the National Student Auditions Preliminary Round via Video Audition. Entries in Commercial Music (CM) will have a $25 additional technology fee. 

#3 -National Level - Semifinals and Finals - National Student Auditions (NSA)

If the student qualifies and is then invited to the in-person National Student Auditions Semifinals in June/July, they will need to claim their spot (this is free to do) and register and pay for a collaborative pianist. The student does not need to pay another $95 registration fee for this level; however, they do pay fees if they reserve a pianist.

Singers who use a NATS staff collaborative pianist at the National Student Audition Semifinals will also pay a pianist fee based on the number of repertoire selections required for their category.

The pianist fees at this National level are based on the singer’s category and the number of selections performed. For Children and Youth categories, the fee is $40 total ($20 per selection for two selections). For High School and Lower Post-High School categories, the fee is $60 total ($20 per selection for three selections). For Upper Post-High School and Advanced categories, the fee is $80 total ($20 per selection for four or five selections).

#4 Other Costs

The National Student Auditions are held in-person each year in June or July, and the location rotates among cities across the country. Families should therefore also plan for the potential cost of transportation, lodging, meals, and other travel-related expenses if the singer advances to the in-person National Semifinal or Final rounds.

Because a singer may progress through several stages of NSA, we encourage students and families to discuss the potential costs with their voice teacher early in the audition season so they understand what participation may involve at each level.