This past fall of 2020, NATS launched the first-ever Summer Program Auditions (SPA), which allowed singers to submit applications/video auditions in one place to be considered for multiple programs. The application fee was only $20 (unless otherwise noted), and more than 35 organizations participated in the inaugural year.

All singers who participated also were automatically considered for one of several Dillard Scholar Awards in memory and honor of the late NATS president Jane Dillard who passed away in August 2020. Dillard spent more than 30 years as professor of voice at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also served as president of NATS from 2004-2006. Read more about her legacy here.

“NATS is proud to help singers pursue additional education opportunities while making the application process easier and more streamlined,” said Executive Director Allen Henderson. “Our Summer Program Auditions are designed to exactly do just that. We're also honored to remember a great teacher, NATS Past President Jane Dillard, with the announcement of three Dillard Scholar Award winners.”

The Dillard Scholar Awards are intended to help defray costs of attending a summer program or young artist program. One winner was selected from each age group: 15-18 years of age; 19-22 years of age; and 23+ years of age.

Congratulations to the 2021 Dillard Scholar Award recipients!

Kayla Harriott — $1,000 scholarship to attend Bay View Music Festival.

Lauren Carvalho — $300 scholarship to attend The Singer’s Theatre online.

Anne Teeling — $1,000 scholarship to attend the CoOPERAtive program at Westminster Choir College.

The Summer Program Auditions (SPA) initiative will return for 2022, and more information will be available at a later date. Applications will open for submission around December 1, 2021, and programs will begin looking at materials mid-January 2022.

NATS extends a special thank you to members Serena Hill LaRoche and Elizabeth Johnson Knight for their work to spearhead the SPA program.