The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is pleased to name the 10 composers who will serve as mentors for the 2024-25 NATS Mentoring Program for Composers. Designed to promote and encourage the creation of new works, this program is a unique mentoring opportunity for emerging and early career art song composers.

The 2024-25 mentors:

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

“We’re thrilled to welcome back many veteran mentors to the NATS Mentoring Program for Composers,” said Executive Director Allen Henderson. “At NATS, we take great pride in supporting and nurturing the next generation of composers who write for the voice. Since its inception, this program has commissioned over 40 new art songs. We extend our sincere thanks to these mentors for generously sharing their guidance with the upcoming 2024-25 class, and we commend composers Lori Laitman and Tom Cipullo for their outstanding leadership of this program for the fifth year in a row. The NATS community has already benefited from the music created over the past several years, and we eagerly anticipate the new works that this group of musicians will create.”

Program Details

This mentoring program encourages composers of vocal music, especially art song and opera, to apply. Organizers will select between 8 and 10 composers, pairing them with a mentor for approximately eight months, from mid-October to early June 2025. The mentorship involves monthly one-to-one online sessions, where mentors may critique works, offer advice on writing for voice, share resources, connect mentees with 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, NATS commissions a song from each of the composer mentees to be premiered by the Cincinnati Song Initiative. These have been presented in the “Let It Be New” concert events since the program's inception. Additionally, past mentees have had opportunities to present their works at NATS events at the chapter, region and national levels.

There is no cost for the NATS Mentoring Program for Composers, 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, submit the following by September 20, 2024:

• A short biography (200 words)
• A composer’s statement (150 words)
• A headshot
• 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. Applicants will be notified the week of October 21, 2024.

Apply now

For more information, please visit the webpage.