Chartered 2004                                         

      President, Eduardo Azzati, and Secretary, Debra Field, attended the NATS conference in Minneapolis, rubbing elbows with National board members, composers, performers and other voice teachers from around the country.  Keynote speaker for the convention was Paul Sperry, international tenor and promoter of American art song.  Headliner recitalist was Lehigh University’s own bass-baritone Jan Opalach, internationally renowned performer in opera.  Other recitals featured the 2004 NATSAA winner Marcia Porter and a recital of Nordic art song.  Exhibiters included music sellers such as Hal Leonard, Oxford University Press and the online resource Tismusic, giving attendees the chance to peruse and order music.  Other services were also offered to aid the studio teacher.

      The highlight of the conference was the varied workshops and sessions.  Swedish baritone Hågen Hagegård presented “Staging Art Song Recitals” and American artist Sharon Mabry presented a lively “Contemporary Art Song” session.  Other informative sessions dealt with such topics as “Teaching Men to Sing”, “Top Ten Vocal Myths Dispelled”, “Lesser Known American Song” and “Canciones de España”.

      Debra attended a small private party at the home of American composer Libby Larsen.  The evening included a catered barbecue dinner and a living room concert presenting Libby’s music and that of new composer Christopher Gable.

      The conference served as an invaluable tool for networking, sharing of ideas and making new friends.  Attending the conference also gave our new chapter much-needed exposure among the National membership and board members.

      We’re very excited about the 50th NATS conference to be held in Nashville in 2008!

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