The special mentoring program, Conference Connections, will return for the fifth time at the upcoming 59th NATS National Conference in San Antonio, July 3-7, 2026.

Formerly known as “Mentoring Over Coffee,” this initiative is offered only at the NATS national conferences. It costs “nothing but time” and facilitates connections between established and emerging professionals. The program was designed to build a stronger sense of community for all, and Conference Connections participants have the option to sign up as a mentor or mentee.

Previous Conference Connections have been very popular, resulting in more than 100 mentoring partnerships during the event. This program is open to both first-time conference attendees and veteran conference-goers. One unique outcome of the program has been reverse-mentoring, where established professionals are learning from emerging professionals in a mutually beneficial exchange.

How to Participate in San Antonio

Everyone registered for the national conference by May 1 will be sent an email to participate in Conference Connections. (Make sure to register before May 1, so you don’t miss out!)

Any other questions regarding the 2026 Conference Connections may be directed to Conference Connections Coordinator Sarah Bucher.

What are people saying about it?

Participants have reported that discussions have included equity and inclusion, education and professional development, research, work-life balance, how to run a business/independent voice studio, how to navigate academic jobs, how to teach specific functional techniques, and how to teach or sing in musical theatre and commercial music styles. Some also noted help with specific tasks, including support to establish an SNATS chapter, letters of recommendation, editing CVs and cover letters, research collaborations, and the exchange of pedagogical resources.

 
NATS member and independent teacher Cynthia Vaughn shares about the program, and NATS member Casey Joiner-Isaacs says she adored the opportunity.

Previous Mentee Comments:

• These mentoring sessions were worth the price of the conference!
• The chance to talk to numerous professionals in our field from different countries and backgrounds is invaluable.
• Meeting with each mentor was so informative and frankly, the mentorship program was my favorite part of the conference.
• It was so nice to have a formal structure to help reach out to artist scholars that I admire.
• I REALLY loved this approach to mentoring. I was incredibly encouraged as an academic and most of all as a person.
• What a wonderful way to meet new people! This program was invigorating and validating.
• I felt like I was seen, heard, and truly helped in my sessions. One of the best parts of the conference!
• As an early career researcher and teacher, having this mentoring opportunity through NATS at the national conference was inspiring and very helpful — giving me directly actionable steps, for both collaborative projects and for my future career journey.

Past Conference Connections participants

Previous Mentor Comments:

• It was an opportunity to really focus on what makes NATS so special: its people.
• I gleaned amazing insight about innovative ways to collaborate and create new works in academia from asking questions regarding my mentee's experiences. We were both taking notes!
• This is the core experience of NATS — providing valuable connections with our colleagues.
• The effort to carve out a longer, focused conversation was really valuable and wouldn’t have happened without this program.
• This is my first national NATS conference, so this was a great way to feel a connection and get to know new teachers and exchange ideas. It also helped me feel like I was making a contribution (no matter how small) to the process.
• It is always rewarding to give back to NATS, especially to new members.
• This is the third time I have participated in the mentoring program and each year the conversations are more fruitful and productive.
• These conversations are what makes this organization most worthwhile and move it forward.
• It is such a valuable opportunity to connect with NATS members we may not normally have run into in our own regions.

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The Countdown to Conference is On!

The NATS 59th National Conference will take place July 3-7 in San Antonio, bringing together voice professionals from across the country and around the world. This biennial event features wide-ranging sessions, workshops, performances, and special events throughout the week.

The deadline for early-bird registration is March 15!

Register today!