The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is pleased to announce 10 composers have committed to mentorship roles for the 2023-24 Mentoring Program for Composers.

This unique mentoring opportunity for emerging and early career art song composers aims to promote and encourage the composition and performance of new works.

The 2023-24 mentors:

• Juhi Bansal
• Tom Cipullo
• Stephen Eddins
• Steven Mark Kohn
• Lori Laitman
• Niloufar Nourbakhsh
• Nkeiru Okoye
• Shawn E. Okpebholo
• Laura Schwendinger
• Scott Wheeler

"We’re delighted to share that another wonderful group of mentors have joined our program,” said Executive Director Allen Henderson. "At NATS, we’re proud to serve as a conduit and connect some of the best and brightest art song composers of our day with other composers who want to improve their craft. We are grateful to these mentors for signing on to give their time and counsel to the 2023-24 class, and we’re especially appreciative for the leadership of composers Lori Laitman and Tom Cipullo for recruiting the mentors and organizing the program for its fourth year in a row. The NATS community has enjoyed the new music created from past three years and we cannot wait to hear more new art song.”

Composers of vocal music (especially art song and opera) are encouraged to apply for this mentoring program. Organizers will select 10 composers and pair them with a mentor for a period of roughly 8 months, from October 16, 2023 – June 1, 2024. The mentoring will involve one-to-one online contact approximately once a month. Depending on the schedule of the mentors, the needs of the mentees, and the interests of both parties, the mentors might critique short works, give general counsel about writing for voice, offer advice about resources, point the mentees toward appropriate performers and presenters, give information about recording and publishing opportunities, and just generally be a sounding board for any questions the mentees might have.

As a special feature of the program, the Cincinnati Song Initiative commissions and premieres a song from each of the composer mentees. These have been presented in the “Let It Be New” concert events over the past three years. Past mentees also have had the opportunity again to present their works as part of NATS events at the chapter, region or national level.

There is no cost for the NATS Mentoring Program and no application fee. There are no age or stylistic limitations, but the program is intended for those in the early stages of their professional careers or those nearing the end of their formal education.

Application Procedure

To apply, applicants will provide a short biography (200 words), a composer’s statement (150 words), and two short work samples (as PDFs and also as sound files). The composer’s statement should indicate the applicant's experience with vocal music, and why this program would be helpful to them.

Deadline to apply: September 18, 2023

Applicants will be notified by October 15, 2024.

More info