SAN DIEGO NATS
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Who we are
The San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is an organization serving members of NATS who reside in San Diego County and surrounding counties. 

As a group, we encourage the highest standards of vocal arts and of ethical principals in the teaching of singing; and to promote vocal education and research at all levels both for the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the talented.
Why join NATS San Diego
It is exciting to have San Diego NATS staying up with the times and the tune of what matters to make a living and express one's self through singing on every level. Whether you sing professionally, for music therapy or for recreation...this is an exciting time all reflected in the diversity of who we are as vocal teachers.  If you are a singing teacher you care, but what you learn in NATS is you're not alone!

As a member, you'll gain access to valuable opportunities, including:  


  • Education: Members have access to lifelong learning experiences such as master classes, workshops, and conferences, held at the district, regional, and national levels.
 
  • Employment Opportunities: Members have access to an online database of positions currently available at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. In addition, members may place their contact information on the Find-a-Teacher database, accessed regularly by students seeking private voice teachers in their areas.
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  • Networking: NATS has more than 6,800 members who teach in a wide variety of settings. Most NATS teachers are active in performance as well, and have invaluable contacts in the professional worlds of both singing and teaching. Members may access contact information for any other members through the online directory.
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  • Mentorship: NATS recognizes an ongoing commitment to support and encourage the development of teachers of singing who are beginning their careers. To that end, qualified members may apply for the NATS Intern Program (an intensive summer course wherein the recipient teaches students under the direction of several master teachers), the EMERGING LEADER AWARD (a grant to underwrite the cost of attendance to one of the NATS national conferences) and/or the JOAN FREY BOYTIM AWARD FOR INDEPENDENT TEACHERS (an award of up to $1,000 in reimbursement assistance to cover the costs associated with NATS national conference attendance). 
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  • Social / Community: Participate in events including workshops and talks hosted by local NATS members as well as meet and greets and collaboration with other organizations like Choral Consortium.  
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  • Newsletter: A monthly e-newsletter full of current events and noteworthy information.
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  • Internos: A semiannual publication that is delivered in February and September. Inter Nos is a newsletter for the profession that provides important information about the work of NATS to its members. A major feature of each Inter Nos is the “Independent Voices” section, which is focused on the work of independent teachers.
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  • Intermezzo E-Newsletter: The Intermezzo e-newsletter, a weekly compilation of news clips about the singing profession, is delivered to each member’s inbox.
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  • Journal of Singing: NATS members receive the leading academic journal on the voice, Journal of Singing, as a benefit of membership. Published five times annually, this scholarly journal features articles on all aspects of singing and the teaching of singing, written by distinguished scholars from around the world.
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  • Student Auditions: One of the benefits widely enjoyed by NATS members is the privilege of taking students to annual city, regional auditions and biennial national competitions, where they sing for a panel of teachers and receive constructive and encouraging feedback on their vocal performing techniques. 

Being open and inclusive fosters confidence, humility and creativity. Working together makes for a stronger and more thoughtful community. Come play with us!

Become a member
We're so excited to have you join us!
Sign Me Up!
Find a Teacher
"If I cannot fly. Let me sing!" - Stephen Sondheim
Find a Local Teacher

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS

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Registration for San Diego NATS Student Auditions is now open!

​Click here for step by step instructions on how to log in and register your students using AuditionWare.Important things to know about registration with AuditionWare:
  • NATS Teachers complete registration for their students. Use this fillable Pre-Registration Information Form to help collect all the necessary information from your students before starting the registration process.  You will also need each singer’s repertoire information.

  • Payment and repertoire selections is due by March 31, 2021.  You must have started all student registrations and paid all fees by this date.  New singers will not be accepted after March 31, 2021.  You then have until April 11, 2021 @ 9:59pm to complete all registration information and upload videos.
  • All payment is made via the AuditionWare/NATS site and must be submitted in order for registration to be complete.


Custom Accompaniment
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If you need accompaniment, our NATS Staff Collaborative Pianists are here to help!

John-Luke Addison
johnluke.addison@gmail.com 
858-312-9119

Nina Gilbert
ninagilbert@gmail.com
610-704-3677

$10 per pre-recorded accompaniment
$50/hour for live accompaniment/coaching

Payment and scheduling (in-person or virtually) will be handled directly with the pianists. To guarantee you get your recordings in time, please contact by March 31, 2021.
DEADLINES:  
  • Payment and repertoire selections due by March 31, 2021.
  • Registration closes April 11, 2021 @ 9:59pm.

​Spring Student Auditions ~  Classical
  • Classical categories for ages 9-100
  • Special Awards**
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**NEW! AMERICAN NEGRO SPIRITUAL AWARD
In the spirit of the new National category, this award is open to singers in High School through Adult divisions. Singers will present one classical treatment of an American Negro Spiritual as part of their required repertoire. For more information and a list of recommended repertoire, visit https://www.nats.org/American_Negro_Spirituals_Competition.html

**Pauline Tweed Memorial SPARROW AWARD for Sacred Song
A gift from the Tweed Family, this special award is open to singers in High School through Adult divisions. Students wishing to be considered for this prize will include a sacred selection as part of their required repertoire.

Check out our website for repertoire requirements

Important Dates
  • Registration via AuditionWare - opens March 14, 2021
  • Fees and repertoire selections - due March 31, 2021
  • Zoom Adjudicators Info Meeting - 
  • Registration closes - April 11, 2021
  • Adjudication via AuditionWare - April 14-20, 2021 **
  • Results posted - April 22, 2021
  • "Live" Honors Concert via Zoom - April 24, 2021 @ 5pm
** Participating teachers will also adjudicate

Questions?  
  • NATS SD 2020/2021 Online Auditions Info
  • Video Recording Instructions

Login to our website to watch the Auditions Zoom Q&A replay

Auditions Zoom Q&A Slide Show Info
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If you have ANY trouble accessing AuditionWare or if you have any questions during the registration process, please don't hesitate to text or email me at the information below and I will help you with the process.  Questions that come in after 8pm will be answered the next day

Visit our ​
Past Events page to see the 2019/2020 Student Auditions results, photos and videos.

Adjudicating our 2021 Student Auditions?

  • Check out this Zoom recording from our Fall Auditions so you can make sure you know just what to expect from our virtual Student Auditions this Spring.

While you're here, check out these helpful resources:
  • Notes for Online Judges
  • Classical  Rubric
  • Musical Theatre Rubric
  • CCM Rubric

​San Diego NATS Commitment

Dear Chapter Members,
Our chapter board is committed to fostering an inclusive atmosphere of equity and unity, a safe and creative space for all teachers and students of all ethnicities and backgrounds and open dialogue with one another. As part of our effort, we invite you to join us in our "Tough Talk" series starting this coming Sunday, January 24, at 4:00 p.m.

Racism and inequality have been ongoing social issues in our country for far too long. We are taking a closer look to see where we are supportive and encouraging to all members and non-members and where we can do better.
We are committed to creating more free events available to local city school music teachers and students. We are exploring hosting a Festival of Song, a non-competition event, that includes vocalists from all over San Diego.

We reach out to you, our chapter members, inviting you to have a conversation with us about how you see, think and feel about the San Diego NATS community. How does it support you as a professional and individual? What do you see working or not working? We invite everyone, members and non-members, to join us in the upcoming “Tough Talk” series, free to all, beginning Sunday, January 24th, starting the discussion with “Reflecting on the Organization & Building Better Practices”.

What can we do, as an artistic organization, to help address racism and inequity in our society?
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We, the board, are committed to answering this question with your help, and putting into action those answers.
We are committed to standing in solidarity with people of color who are marginalized through systemic racism.
We are committed in our support of singers in all communities.

In Music,
Stephanie Sabin, Chapter President
Jennifer Paterson, Chapter Treasurer
Jennifer D’Onofrio, Student Auditions Coordinator
Kimberly Moller, Social Media Chair
Nicolette Waterfield, Webmaster
Megan Theodorou, Member-at-Large

    San Diego NATS Chapter Survey

    Stay in touch! Please take a moment and let us know how we can serve you during these unprecedented times.
    Thank you!
    The San Diego NATS Board
    ​If YES, please check all boxes that apply
    For more 2020 Student Auditions information, please join us August 30, 2020 via Zoom. 
    The Q&A session will be available for replay.
    ​Invite to follow…
Submit

Covid-19: Message to Chapter

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Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let the dust settle a bit before sending out an email. NATS National has done such a great job supporting the community with their updates & resources. But I'm sure many of you are a bit on information overload. 

Surely all of you - hopefully everyone! - have switched to teaching online. It's been an easy transition for some and a nightmare for others. Zoom stepped up to the plate by lifting its time limit on their free version, so if you haven't checked that out yet, do. https://zoom.us/.  I use Zoom (have for a couple of years) and have been pleased with it the most of the many different online platforms. Voicelessons.com has also been a good place for teachers to turn to. The Speak Easy Co-Op is also a fantastic group that I am grateful to be a part of. So much incredible support and information has been shared and strategized to make transitions as smooth as possible. Check it out here: The SpeakEasy Cooperative.

One of my students is an IT gal and she is available (for free!) to help out if anyone is still needing support adjusting sound, dealing with video, understanding the options, recording and saving videos, etc. She is available for up to 3 consults each member. You can contact her here: Priscilla Hammonds.  She is the sweetest lady and knows her stuff. Do not hesitate to reach out to her - she's ready for you!

If any of you out there are comfortable with the online transition and are interested in helping out, let us know and we can add you to the resource list available on our website. It's been a time of great urgency so income stays as steady as possible. 

This is definitely a time requiring a lot more patience and compassion all around. Please feel free to reach out to the board if we can support you in any way. Also, keep checking in on the FB NATS SD page as we add announcements for zoom get-togethers and some funnies. 

You all have been on my mind and in my heart.
Stay well - Keep Singing - Keep Teaching - Keep Living!

Warmly (and from at least 6-feet away)
Stephanie Sabin
NATS San Diego Chapter President


See All Events

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Consider making a donation!

NATS is working aggressively to honor our 75th Anniversary and beyond through fundraising.

Help us celebrate by making a donation today. Your support would be greatly appreciated!

GIVE NOW: https://www.nats.org/75thAnniversaryFund ​

ELECTION RESULTS

Thank you for voting! The San Diego chapter of NATS has counted the votes and the and the 2019-2021 elected are:
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  • President: Stephanie Sabin (returning)
  • Webmaster Chair: Nicolette Waterfield (new)
  • Publicity Chair: Kimberly Moller (new)
  • Social Chair: Position Reinstated
  • Member at Large: Position Reinstated​
Executive Board
​We are excited to have these great ladies representing you on the board; however, our board is still incomplete. We are still looking for: Vice President, Secretary, Membership Chair and Social Chair. If you or anyone you know is up the the task, please reach out and participate in the NATS community!
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​A special THANK YOU to:
  • Renee Calvo, 2017 - 2019 Vice-President
  • Laurinda Nikkel, 2015 - 2019 Membership Chair.
Thank you so much for your time and commitment to the chapter!
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Business Series: What is SEO anyways?

Recognizing that as private voice teachers, our NATS SD members are small business owners, we wanted to offer a series of videos focused on ways to maximize our marketing and attract new students.

    Relative to the Business Series video... 

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Newsletter 

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Stay on top of current events and opportunities 

  • Home
  • Member Services
    • Executive Board
    • Membership >
      • Membership Directory
    • Join SD NATS
    • NATS Newsletter
    • Mentorship
    • Chapter By-Laws
    • Code of Ethics
    • Student Auditions Zoom Recording
    • Student Auditions 2020 - 2021 Results & Concert
  • Resources
    • Covid-19
    • Current Events
    • Past Events
    • Student Auditions >
      • Auditions: Rule, Procedures & Info
      • Student Auditions Zoom Adjudicator Instructions
      • Survey - Student Auditions Feedback
    • MUSIC ASSOCIATIONS AND VOICE RESOURCES
    • San Diego Area Universities
    • Opera & Musical Theatre Companies
    • Choral Groups
    • FInd a Teacher
  • Contact
    • Suggestions
    • Donate