JOIN US

Why Join Us?
Memberhip Brochure Request Form
Dues & Application Fees
Qualifications Needed to Join NATS

Why Join NATS?

• Scope: NATS is the largest association of teachers of singing in the world, with members in more than twenty-five countries.
  
• Education: Members have access to lifelong learning experiences such as master classes, workshops, and conferences, held at the district, regional, and national levels.
  
• Journal of Singing: NATS members receive the 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.
  
• Student Auditions: One of the benefits widely enjoyed by NATS members is the privilege of taking students to annual state and regional auditions, where they may sing for a panel of teachers and receive positive comments and feedback on their work as singers and performers.
  
• 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 Voluntary Teacher database, accessed regularly by students seeking private voice teachers in their areas.
  
• Networking: NATS has over 6,500 members, many of whom are faculty at colleges and universities worldwide. 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.
  
• Support for Young/New Teachers of Singing: 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), and/or the YOUNG LEADERS AWARD (a grant to underwrite the cost of attendance to one of the NATS national conferences.) NATS Chats is an interactive discussion group online that many members find invaluable as a resource.

Finally, those who join NATS find themselves in a community of friends and colleagues who are all seeking the same goal: excellence in teaching and singing, both for themselves and their students.

Dues & Application Fees

Application Fee: For those applying for membership, there is a non-refundable membership application fee of $20 (USD). New members will be billed on a pro-rated basis for the first year's dues, based on when membership is approved.

Dues: Annual Membership dues are $80 USD for members in the United States and $90 USD for international members. Approximately $35 of the dues covers a subscription to the Journal of Singing and $8 is made available to regions to help pay for regional and local activities.

Request a membership application [.pdf file attached] and download the application , Guidelines for Writing a Membership Recommendation Letter [.pdf file attached] download the guidelines and instructions [pdf file attached] download the instructions.

If you need more information, please contact the Membership Services Coordinator in the executive office.

Qualifications needed to join NATS

Membership Requirements

A. Full Membership
To qualify as a full member an applicant must:
(1) be at least 25 years of age;
(2) be a person of known personal probity;
(3) accept and abide by the Code of Ethics;
(4) obtain a letter of recommendation from at least one NATS member in good standing or any member of any ICVT organization;
(5) teach an average of six or more students each week (each
session of class voice equals one student); and
(6) meet one of the following requirements:

a. Persons holding a bachelor's degree appropriate to the teaching of singing must have three years of voice teaching/coaching experience following receipt of the bachelor's degree.
b. Persons holding a master's degree or a doctorate appropriate to the teaching of singing must have two years of voice teaching/coaching experience following receipt of the bachelor's degree.
c. Professional singers or accompanists who do not hold degrees described in a & b, but who are teaching, must have at least four years' experience as a professional singer or professional coach/accompanist. They must have been teaching voice or coaching for two years following the four years of professional experience. If you are applying under this option, please attach a professional résumé. RÉSUMÉS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR ANYONE APPLYING UNDER ITEMS (6) a, (6) b, or (6) d.
d. Other applicants who do not hold degrees described in a. & b. must have at least four years of private voice study and at least five years of voice teaching or coaching experience following the four years of private voice instruction

Full Members have full voting rights and may hold office at any level. Years of Full Membership accrue toward Emeritus status. They may sponsor themselves or their students in NATSAA Competitions.

B. Associate Membership
To qualify as an Associate Member, an applicant must:
(1) be at least 22 years of age;
(2) be a person of known personal probity;
(3) accept and abide by the Code of Ethics; and
(4) obtain a letter of recommendation from at least one NATS member in good standing or any member of any ICVT organization.

Applicants for Associate Membership are beginning teachers of singing whose training and/or teaching experience does not yet qualify them for Full Membership. Associate Members have full power of vote but may hold office only at the chapter level. They may sponsor themselves or their students in NATSAA Competitions. Years of Associate membership do not accrue toward Emeritus Membership status.

C. Affiliate Membership
Affiliate Membership may be held by:
(1) individuals in fields related to the teaching of singing;
(2) institutions such as colleges, schools, or universities; or
(3) business firms associated with music.

Affiliate Members may not vote or hold office at any level. Years of Affiliate Membership do not accrue toward Emeritus Membership Status. They may not sponsor themselves or their students in NATSAA Competitions.

D. Emeritus Membership
The following requirements apply to persons applying for Emeritus Membership status. An applicant for this status must:
(1) be at least 68 years of age;
(2) have been a full member in good standing for at least 20 years;
(3) send a request for this status to the Executive Director.

Emeritus members are not required to pay association dues; however, they will be charged a publications fee if they wish to receive the Journal of Singing and Inter Nos. They may not hold office at the national, regional, or district levels, but may hold chapter office and may vote.