The Richard Sjoerdsma Award for Excellence in Writing
The Richard Sjoerdsma Award for Excellence in Writing was established in 2024 to honor the best feature article published in the Journal of Singing over the most recent two-year cycle. It is named for the Journal of Singing’s editor in chief emeritus, Richard Dale Sjoerdsma, who helmed the journal from 2001 to 2023 and was the recipient of the 2022 NATS Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented biennially at the NATS National Conference.
2026 Recipients
Winner: Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber
“Bel Canto des Wortes—The Pedagogy of Cornelia (Cornelie) van Zanten”
Honorable Mention: Linda Lister
“The Prolific Song Output and Seasonal Sehnsucht of Franz Schubert and Taylor Swift”
2024 Recipients
Winner: Melissa Treinkman
“Focus of Attention in Voice Training and Performance: Applications to the Voice Studio”
Honorable Mention: Travis Sherwood
“Powerful Dynamics: Exploring the Evolution of the Master–Apprentice Tradition”
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Read More About Richard Sjoerdsma
Upon his retirement as editor in chief of the Journal of Singing, the journal’s editorial board voted to establish the Richard Sjoerdsma Award for Excellence in Writing. The award is presented to the author of the best feature article published in the Journal of Singing within the two-year time span at the national conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
For 22 years, Richard Sjoerdsma as Editor in Chief thoughtfully and lovingly stewarded the Journal, transforming it into the premier peer-reviewed journal exclusively dedicated to the art of singing and the teaching profession.
Dr. Sjoerdsma received his A.B. degree from Calvin College, an M.M. in voice from the University of South Dakota, and a Ph.D. in musicology from The Ohio State University. His research and dissertation on the music of Franz Christoph Neubauer (1760–95) have rendered him an authority on this composer, resulting in contributions to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and The Grove Dictionary of Opera. Additionally, he has written articles for The NATS Journal, penned reviews for NOTES and The Piano Quarterly, and has authored a book on Neubauer published by A-R Editions.
He retired from a 39-year career at Carthage, where he taught studio voice, opera, vocal literature and diction, voice pedagogy, and directed opera productions. During that time, he served almost three decades as Chair of the Department of Music and eight years as Chair of the Fine Arts Division.
A multifaceted career as scholar, pedagogue, performer, and editor was instrumental in Sjoerdsma being honored by the OSU School of Music 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award. Further honors accrued as Carthage College dedicated his former voice studio and established an endowed scholarship in his name. Richard Sjoerdsma THE RICHARD D SJOERDSMA FUND SUPPORTING THE RICHARD SJOERDSMA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING Page 2 of 2 Dr. Sjoerdsma, a tenor, also has performed widely in opera, oratorio, concert, and recital, both in the United States and in Western Europe. A veteran of 22 European solo concert tours, he has performed principally in Germany, but also in Sweden, Hungary, Austria, and France. Additionally, he has appeared frequently as guest clinician and adjudicator, has conducted symphony orchestras, and has led a number of voice master classes.
After having managed the “Bookshelf” column since 1972, a responsibility assumed under editor Harvey Ringel, Dr. Sjoerdsma was appointed Editor in Chief of Journal of Singing in 2001. He has been a member of NATS since 1971 and was invited into membership of the prestigious American Academy of Teachers of Singing (AATS) in 2002.
Giving to NATS
Contribute to the Richard Sjoerdsma Award Fund here. You also may contact the NATS Executive Office at (904) 992-9101 for assistance.
