Barbara Hill Moore

The National Association of Teachers of Singing is thrilled to announce the launch of the Barbara Hill Moore Emerging Teaching Artist Award.

Established through a generous endowment by distinguished educator and soprano Barbara Hill Moore, this award seeks to encourage and assist a NATS member pursuing a dual-career path in both teaching and performance.

“This award reflects my passion for both singing and teaching singing,” Hill Moore said. “I want to nurture those who share that dual calling. It is my hope that together we can recognize our fellow artists and help them thrive as educators and active performers.”

Applications are now open with a deadline of January 15, 2026. Finalists will be announced in the spring, and NATS will hold the live finals held during the 59th national conference, July 3–7, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Finalists will perform a 15-minute solo vocal recital during the national conference with a live collaborating instrumentalist of their choosing. Following adjudication by a professional panel, the winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize. Finalists will have their conference registration fee waived.

Applicants must be between 33 and 43 years of age at the time of submission, be active NATS professional members, and have at least five consecutive years of experience teaching voice. They must also demonstrate an active performance career with a minimum of three professional vocal engagements within a specified timeframe. Independent teachers, graduate students, adjunct faculty, and professors of any rank are encouraged to apply. NATS strongly encourages applicants from underrepresented communities to participate.

“The Barbara Hill Moore Emerging Teaching Artist Award highlights an important aspect of our profession — the interplay between active performance and a teaching career,” said NATS Executive Director Allen Henderson. “We’re delighted to offer this opportunity to celebrate and support our fellow teaching artists.”

Barbara Hill Moore has had a distinguished career spanning decades as both a teacher and performer. As Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Meadows Foundation Distinguished Professor of Voice at Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, she has mentored students who now perform with major opera companies worldwide. She enjoyed an extensive international singing career, performing with orchestras throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Among her many honors are the Lift Every Voice “Legacy Award” (2022) from the National Opera Association and the SMU Faculty Career Achievement Award (2022). She received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts (2023) from Lincoln University, her undergraduate alma mater.

Applications for the Barbara Hill Moore Emerging Teaching Artist Award must be submitted through NATS.org on or by January 15, 2026, deadline. A non-refundable $75 entry fee is required. View complete guidelines and eligibility requirements on the award webpage.