NATS National Mentoring Collaborative

The art of teaching is a complex topic involving content knowledge, communication and organization skills, as well as curiosity about how people learn. Given the variability in both singing pedagogy and how people acquire knowledge, teachers need a wide repertoire of strategies to address their students. NATS believes strongly in the role of mentoring our teachers and, as such, NATS began this mentoring initiative in fall of 2019.

The intent of the NATS National Mentoring Collaborative (NNMC) is to foster learning for ALL TEACHERS by offering this collaborative approach to mentoring. This is an opportunity to improve your skills, collaborate with new people, and consider new strategies. We focus on creating an interactive and inclusive environment with three components including:

  • Two one-hour sessions with a mentor of your choice (see list and links below).
  • Two shared videos of your teaching with your mentor teacher OR another collaborative session with your mentor to address specific interests.
  • A collaborative session with ALL currently enrolled mentees to discuss points of interest.

Dates:

The deadline for enrollment is September 22, 2023 (extended one week!) for the fall session dates of October 1 to December 15, 2023

Mentor Selection:

Those interested in being mentored are able to choose from a list of Mentor Teachers to aid in developing their own teaching pedagogy. The program also includes collaborative piano. (CLICK HERE for an informational video.)

Cost:

The fee for Mentees is $150, from which a stipend will be paid to Mentor Teachers. 

Mentee application form:

NATS National Mentoring Collaborative - MENTEE APPLICATION


Testimonials and praise for the program

Here are what people are saying about the NNMC:

  • “Great experience — Super helpful — just what I needed — always open for further conversations and questions…”
  • “Great time — looked over my résumé and cover letter and offered suggestions…”
  • “I so enjoyed the conversations — a personal approach to our discussions…”
  • “Receive validation, new perspectives and advice…”
  • “Brought new ideas into my studio, connected dots and ignited my own singing…”

Possible ideas for mentoring:

  • Voice Pedagogy
    • Classical
    • Music Theater
    • Other CCM genres
    • Cross-training among genres
    • Strategies for particular age groups
  • Improve impact of voice teaching
    • Instruction content within each lesson
    • Repertoire
      • Classical
      • CCM
  • Advancement
    • Independent teacher
    • School, university, college teacher
    • Creative Activities
      • Research and Writing
      • Presenting
      • Performing
  • Business and organization skills
    • Taxes
    • Marketing
    • Opening a studio
    • Website
    • Conflict and legal issues
  • Navigating the NATS organization including website info, adjudication, and general participation
  • Other professional organizations

NATS National Mentoring Collaborative Committee and Mentor Teachers

View each mentor's bio below.