Chapter News
Upcoming Workshop:
"The 10 Steps of Musical Theatre Auditioning"
Presented by Robert Meffe
2:30pm Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
Rhapsody Hall, SDSU
"The 10 Steps of Musical Theatre Auditioning"
Presented by Robert Meffe
2:30pm Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
Rhapsody Hall, SDSU

Robert Meffe, Head of the SDSU MFA Musical Theatre Program, spent twenty-two years in New York City as a professional conductor, music director, keyboardist, orchestrator, arranger and music copyist. His Broadway credits include: Associate Conductor of Little Women and the last six years of Les Misérables, keyboards for Evita (2012 revival), Newsies, The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Grey Gardens, and Bombay Dreams.
National Tour credits include Music Director of Evita (2012 revival) and The Phantom of the Opera, Associate Conductor of Les Misérables, Little Women, and Sunday in the Park with George. Off-Broadway: Myths & Hymns, Violet, The Prince and the Pauper, Gutenberg! The Musical!, and music arrangements for Disenchanted. TV: Encore! (Disney+), Earth To America (TBS), Renee Fleming-Live at Lincoln Center (PBS). Las Vegas: Associate Conductor of Avenue Q, keyboards for Mamma Mia and Hairspray. Williamstown Theatre Festival: Ten Cents a Dance (directed by John Doyle). Paper Mill Playhouse: Peter Pan (Music Director), Forum, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Associate), A Wonderful Life, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers(keyboards). San Diego credits include a nomination for Best Musical Direction for Fun Home (San Diego Rep), keyboards for Wicked, Waitress, Beautiful and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (San Diego Civic Theatre), Bright Star, Looking for Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), Kiss My Aztec, Fly (La Jolla Playhouse) and Far Away Places, a one-night cabaret show with Patti Lupone (Balboa Theatre).
Mr. Meffee holds a MM in Choral Conducting from the College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati and a BA from the University of Notre Dame.
National Tour credits include Music Director of Evita (2012 revival) and The Phantom of the Opera, Associate Conductor of Les Misérables, Little Women, and Sunday in the Park with George. Off-Broadway: Myths & Hymns, Violet, The Prince and the Pauper, Gutenberg! The Musical!, and music arrangements for Disenchanted. TV: Encore! (Disney+), Earth To America (TBS), Renee Fleming-Live at Lincoln Center (PBS). Las Vegas: Associate Conductor of Avenue Q, keyboards for Mamma Mia and Hairspray. Williamstown Theatre Festival: Ten Cents a Dance (directed by John Doyle). Paper Mill Playhouse: Peter Pan (Music Director), Forum, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Associate), A Wonderful Life, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers(keyboards). San Diego credits include a nomination for Best Musical Direction for Fun Home (San Diego Rep), keyboards for Wicked, Waitress, Beautiful and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (San Diego Civic Theatre), Bright Star, Looking for Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), Kiss My Aztec, Fly (La Jolla Playhouse) and Far Away Places, a one-night cabaret show with Patti Lupone (Balboa Theatre).
Mr. Meffee holds a MM in Choral Conducting from the College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati and a BA from the University of Notre Dame.
Recent Chapter Events

Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Masterclass and Workshop with Dr. Marisa Lee Naismith
On Feburary 9th and 10th we welcomed Commercial and Contemporary Music (CCM) singing voice pedagogue, Dr. Naismith for a Masterclass and Workshop. Currently on the faculty at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, she is the author of “Singing Contemporary Commercial Music Styles: A Pedagogical Framework” and the host of “A Voice and Beyond” podcast. These are free events, sponsored by SDNATS.
Both Events Located in Rhapsody Hall, SDSU Campus
Dr. Marisa Lee Naismith Bio
On Feburary 9th and 10th we welcomed Commercial and Contemporary Music (CCM) singing voice pedagogue, Dr. Naismith for a Masterclass and Workshop. Currently on the faculty at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, she is the author of “Singing Contemporary Commercial Music Styles: A Pedagogical Framework” and the host of “A Voice and Beyond” podcast. These are free events, sponsored by SDNATS.
Both Events Located in Rhapsody Hall, SDSU Campus
Dr. Marisa Lee Naismith Bio

Masterclass and Career Development Talk with Dr. Dana Varga
Friday, September 29th, 2023 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
SDSU School of Music (Rhapsody Hall)
Use Parking Structure 12 and take the pedestrian bridge on the 8th floor to walk to the music building. Permits can be purchased in advance here :https://aztecs.t2hosted.com/cmn/newuser.aspx or at the machine on the 8th floor of the parking garage.
Friday, September 29th, 2023 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
SDSU School of Music (Rhapsody Hall)
Use Parking Structure 12 and take the pedestrian bridge on the 8th floor to walk to the music building. Permits can be purchased in advance here :https://aztecs.t2hosted.com/cmn/newuser.aspx or at the machine on the 8th floor of the parking garage.

Lecture Recital: The Music of Alice Barnett Stevenson by Dr. Katina Mitchell
Dr. Yewon Lee, piano
Dr. Yewon Lee, piano
NATS SD Board Member Katina Mitchell will present a Lecture Recital featuring the compositions of Alice Barnett Stevenson (May 26, 1886 – August 25, 1975), of San Diego. This Lecture Recital will be presented prior to the Honors Concert on Fall Auditions Day, October 28th 2023, at MiraCosta College Concert Hall. All are welcome to attend this event.
NATS SD Executive Board Member Published in the Journal of Singing
![]() The San Diego NATS Executive Board would like to congratulate board member Travis Sherwood on his recent, leading-article publication in The Journal of Singing, Volume 80, No. 1, September /October 2023. His article is entitled "Evolving the Master-Apprentice Tradition: A Pathway Back to Student-Centered Pedagogy."
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Congratulations to our Spring 2023 Commercial Music POWPOP Competition winners!
1st place: Lisa Pan
2nd place: Andrew Reynolds
3rd place: Kaitlyn Taylor
1st place: Lisa Pan
2nd place: Andrew Reynolds
3rd place: Kaitlyn Taylor
Our Mission:
The San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) serves teachers of singing and singing students in our local community. We strive to advance excellence in singing through teaching, performance, scholarship, and research, and to use our art form to unite and heal the community in which we live.
Our Commitment to Inclusivity:
NATS San Diego is committed to celebrating diversity among our membership, and seeks to serve the community at large. We are committed to ensuring that all voices are valued and heard in an inclusive environment.
The San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) serves teachers of singing and singing students in our local community. We strive to advance excellence in singing through teaching, performance, scholarship, and research, and to use our art form to unite and heal the community in which we live.
Our Commitment to Inclusivity:
NATS San Diego is committed to celebrating diversity among our membership, and seeks to serve the community at large. We are committed to ensuring that all voices are valued and heard in an inclusive environment.