Continuing the season of change for the Journal of Singing, the National Association of Teachers of Singing is pleased to announce the following openings for two well-established journal columns, “Voice Pedagogy” and “Mindful Voice.”

The “Voice Pedagogy” column was recently vacated by Matthew Hoch when he became editor in chief of the journal. This longstanding column, established by editor in chief emeritus Richard Sjoerdsma in 2002, grew out of Richard Miller’s late-20th-century “Sotto Voce” writings for the journal. Miller spent five years as associate editor of the “Voice Pedagogy” column before Scott McCoy began his 15-year tenure beginning in 2007. In 2022, Sjoerdsma appointed Matthew Hoch, who managed the column for three years prior to his appointment as editor in chief.

The “Mindful Voice” column, begun by former editor in chief Lynn Helding in 2009, was taken over by associate editor Lynn Maxfield in 2018, who remained the column’s sole editor until last year, when Elisa Monti joined him as co-associate editor. Maxfield served JOS for a total of seven years, writing 20 articles, editing 15 guest contributions, and collaborating with 22 guest authors. With the May 1 start of Volume 82 of the journal, Maxfield steps away from the column, and the search for a new co-associate editor has begun.

“Writing and editing for this column was a gift in so many ways,” Maxfield reflected. “Facilitating relationships with brilliant colleagues and providing an opportunity for me to continue with the line of inquiry that first sparked my interest in voice science and research: how do we improve the art of teaching by connecting it more meaningfully with the act of learning?”

Not only does the May issue see the addition of yet two more new co-associate editors, but a brand-new column, “Diverse Voices,” has debuted. Written by new co-associate editors Paul Patinka and Zipporah Peddle, the column’s mission is “dedicated to shedding light on under-presented composers, vocal genres and singing styles, guided by the association’s values and commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

Patinka and Peddle noted that “each of our columns is a chance to learn something new, challenge assumptions, and celebrate the rich variety of voices shaping our field.” They are “honored to share the space with the NATS community, and hope each article offers fresh perspectives, meaningful dialogue, and joyful discovery.”

Reviewer Casey Keenan Joiner-Isaacs, who contributed two guest reviews in previous issues of Volume 81 (“Online Pedagogue Cheryl Porter,” and “The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess: Chappell Roan, Voice”), is now serving as co-associate editor of the “Media Gallery” column, joining longtime associate editor Greg Berg. Berg will continue to cover classical and musical theatre voice, while Joiner-Isaacs will review new and avant-garde artists, focusing on contemporary trends in media and related internet pop culture.

Both Helding and Hoch remarked that the work of the journal is not only the province of its writers but also includes the 19 peer-reviewers who make up the journal’s editorial board.

“The expertise of our reviewers is the number one reason we can call ourselves a peer-reviewed journal,” Helding said.

A long-serving editorial board member for voice pedagogy and repertoire, Judith Nicosia has stepped off the editorial board. Helding thanked Nicosia “for her keen sense of what is most interesting to our readers.”

Hoch echoed Helding’s sentiments.

“The collective minds comprising an editorial board are the lifeblood of any peer-reviewed journal,” Hoch stated. “I look forward to working with these experts as well as new appointees as we carry the Journal of Singing into its next phase.”

Finally, the journal’s professional production team, managed for many years by Laura Carter, owner of Carter Publishing Company, is also changing. Carter will remain on board as production manager, while the journal welcomes two new professionals to the JOS Production Team: Cindy DeLano is serving as JOS Managing Editor, handling all aspects of the journal’s Scholar One digital platform and editorial processes, and Pat George, who has served as JOS copy editor since last summer, will continue to enhance the team. DeLano, based in Washington D.C. and holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, brings more than 20 years of experience spanning editorial management, production, and strategic consulting in scholarly publishing to JOS. George is a seasoned publications specialist and editorial consultant who has worked with nonprofit education associations for more than 30 years in a variety of positions, including writer, editor, publications manager, and director of editorial services.

“I am grateful to Lynn Helding for the numerous and consequential decisions she made over the past three years to bring the Journal of Singing into the digital age,” Hoch said. “We are poised on the brink of an exciting new era for the journal, and I look forward to working with the production team, associate editors, editorial board, and contributing authors to generate the best peer-reviewed voice pedagogy scholarship we can produce in the coming years. I believe the research published in the Journal of Singing will have a lasting impact on our profession and the next generation of singing teachers.”