NATS Artist Awards

NATS Artist Awards (NATSAA) is a biennial competition for early-career, classical vocalists.

"Throughout its history, the purpose of this [NATSAA] competition has been to select, through a series of elimination rounds on the regional and national levels, singers whose artistry indicates that they are ready for a professional career and to encourage them toward that goal with a cash prize and the opportunity for performance engagements." — Edward Baird, President of NATS, 1985-1987

NATSAA PRIZES

In total, over $50,000 is awarded in cash and other prizes!

First Prize - More than $13,000 in cash and prizes

$5,000 cash
$4,000 scholarship to attend the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria
$1,000 gift certificate from Hal Leonard Corporation
Solo recital at the NATS 59th National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, July 3-7, 2026

Second Prize - More than $6,000 in cash prizes

$4,000 cash
$2,000 scholarship to attend AIMS in Graz, Austria
$500 gift certificate from Hal Leonard Corporation

Additional cash prizes are awarded to all remaining semifinalists.

NATS will publicize the availability of award winners for professional engagements.

2025-2026 NATSAA Timeline

9/8/2025	DEADLINE to apply for NATSAA on NATS.org
9/15/2025	DEADLINE for American applicants, who have verified scheduling conflicts with their local region's NATSAA, to request to be reassigned to the At Large (virtual) Region. Requests must be emailed to VPAuditions@NATS.org.
10/1/2025	DEADLINE for video submissions of International Region applicants and approved At Large Region applicants.
Oct/Nov 2025	Live Regional NATSAA Competitions, participation in your local region is required to qualify for national competition, a date and location for each of the 15 region competitions TBA
11/11/2025	DEADLINE for regions to submit names of their region's NATSAA winner and any alternate(s)
11/17/2025	NATSAA National Semifinalists announced
12/1/2025	DEADLINE for a NATSAA region winner to request a staff collaborative pianist for National Semifinals & Finals
Jan 2026	Live NATSAA National Semifinals & Finals in New York City, date TBA
7/3 - 7/7, 2026	The 59th National NATS Conference in San Antonio, Texas, at which the national NATSAA winner will perform a featured recital.

NATSAA Levels of Competition

I. Preliminary Auditions

Preliminary Auditions are typically held in October and early November of odd numbered years in each geographical region of NATS. Dates and locations change biennially and will be announced as soon as available. More details.

II. Semifinal Auditions & Final Auditions

Semifinal and Final Auditions are held in early January in even-numbered years at Manhattan School of Music in New York City in proximity to a wide audience of artist managers and industry professionals. More details.

III. NATSAA Adjudication

NATSAA Adjudication will be provided by at least three and no more than five qualified voice professionals, who will respond to each audition. More details.

Eligibility to Enter NATSAA

Applicant must be at least 21 but not more than 35 years of age on September 8, 2025
Applicant or applicant's sponsoring voice teacher's NATS membership:

The applicant’s most recent teacher must be a Professional or Emerging Professional member of NATS (in good standing) with whom the applicant must have studied continuously for at least one academic year
- OR -
The applicant must be a Professional or Emerging Professional member of NATS in good standing for at least one year prior to September 8, 2025

Applicants must enter in the region audition (see map) of their legal residence or where they are currently studying singing. EXCEPTIONS: approved applicants unavailable for their region’s NATSAA and applicants living and/or currently studying voice outside the continental U.S. When approved, these applicants will participate in the At Large/International (virtual) Region. For approval email: vpauditions@nats.org.
First-place winners in prior NATSAA national auditions are ineligible.
A contestant entering the auditions for a second or third time will be expected to present a reasonable amount of new repertoire.
Applicants must be available to perform at live, national semifinal auditions in early January 2026 in New York City, should they be named a national semifinalist.
Semifinalists must agree to be available for appearance and not be booked during the dates of the NATS 59th National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, July 3-7, 2026. The national NATSAA winner typically presents a live performance as a feature in each biennial NATS National Conference.
The final decision on all matters of eligibility rests with the Vice President of Auditions contacted via email at vpaudition@nats.org

All applications must be completed and submitted online.

NATS Artist Awards Application

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE is September 8, 2025.

Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Apply

Preparing Your NATSAA Application

I. Repertoire Requirements

NATSAA requires applicants to select 14 songs and arias, with each selection meeting a specific repertoire requirement. For details on the repertoire requirements and instructions for submitting your application, including how to enter each of your 14 selections, please review NATSAA Repertoire Details.

II. Entry Fee

Payment of the non-refundable entry fee of $75 in U.S. funds via credit card (Visa or MasterCard) is required to complete your application. No refunds will be given.

III. Proof of Eligibility

Applicants MUST provide proof of legal age at the region audition site. This proof must be provided in the form of an original, government-issued document, i.e. a valid driver’s license. The applicant must also provide a photocopy of this documentation that will be retained by the Association until the completion of the NATSAA competition then destroyed. Please note that the copy provided cannot be returned. Failure to bring both the original and the copy of this documentation to the audition will result in disqualification.
Applicants MUST provide The NATS member number AND email address of the applicant or of the sponsoring NATS teacher.

ALL questions specific to NATSAA rules, regulations, copyright, or repertoire required should be emailed to NATS Vice President of Auditions.

NATS Copyright Policy

NATS encourages its members, their students, collaborative pianists, and the general population to become educated about, and to comply with, all applicable copyright laws. Reproduction of a copyrighted work constitutes copyright infringement unless a license to reproduce such work has been obtained, the use is considered fair use, the work is in the public domain, or a valid exception to copyright infringement exists.

Copyright Resources

NATS has unwavering support for the importance of compliance with copyright laws, and the support of our colleagues whose creative works sustain a vibrant and living art form. Please refer to our Copyright Resources page for more information on copyright laws. This resource page is part of our effort to educate and promote copyright compliance among all constituencies within NATS and the general public.

Other Resources

Past NATSAA Winners

NATS appreciates our generous sponsors of the NATS Artist Awards competition.