The National Association of Teachers of Singing is pleased to announce mezzo-soprano Courtney Fletcher as the inaugural recipient of the Barbara Hill Moore Emerging Teaching Artist Award. Fletcher was selected from three national finalists and recognized during the 59th NATS National Conference in San Antonio. She receives a $3,000 cash prize to support her continued professional development as both a singing teacher and performing artist.

Fletcher is an assistant professor of voice at the University of Kansas, where she teaches applied voice, diction and opera. She earned her Doctor of Music in Voice, with a minor in music theory, from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and was selected to participate in the 2022 NATS Intern Program.

As a performer, Fletcher has appeared with organizations including Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Winter Opera St. Louis, Opera Memphis, the New World Symphony and the Memphis Symphony. She also earned third place in the 2024 NATS Artist Awards competition.

Through her commitment to both teaching and performance, Fletcher exemplifies the purpose of this new award and the promise of a successful dual-career teaching artist. NATS also congratulates national finalists Mark Covey and Lily Guerrero on this significant recognition.