National Association of Teachers of Singing

Mon, 11/25/2019 - 1:45pm

Sophia Scott - NATS First Place winner for the third consecutive year in her division. Cherie Scott photo

Sophia and voice/singing teacher Beth Preston at the Nov. 23 event. Cherie Scott photo

Sophia Scott - NATS First Place winner for the third consecutive year in her division. Cherie Scott photo

Sophia and voice/singing teacher Beth Preston at the Nov. 23 event. Cherie Scott photo

The Maine Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, also known as NATS, held its annual Musical Theatre Festival on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Olin Arts Center at Bates College in Lewiston. There are eight divisions ranging from Junior through all grades of school up to the college levels and Avocational (adult). Three finalists are chosen from the morning’s audition tallying system who then go on to compete in the afternoon’s Finals competition.

Although auditions didn’t start until 9 a.m., students from across Maine began gathering at 7:45 a.m. to prepare for morning auditions. NATS require each student to prepare two songs from a musical theatre show or movie: one dating pre-1985 (Classic) and one post-1985 (Contemporary). Students perform their selected choices in front of a dais of three judges specially chosen from throughout New England for their experience, training, direction and knowledge of the Musical Theatre Literature. During the course of the morning, a series of judges heard over 70 students perform nearly 150 songs from the Broadway stage and screen.

Numerous past Maine NATS finalist winners have gone on to successful careers in fields of singing; either in live performance, academic teaching or managerial administration. Columbia Artist and Metropolitan Opera star Ashley Emerson and Award-winning Sempre Artist Mezzo-Soprano Megan Marino are just two of the many former Maine students that won at NATS. Artist Faculty in Voice, Ms. Alexandra Dietrich, who herself placed at previous Maine NATS Festivals during her studies at the University of Southern Maine School of Music, is now faculty at USM and is sending her own students to compete.

At this year’s Musical Theatre NATS, new friendships were formed, social media connections were introduced, studio representation from Southern Maine to Orono to the Midcoast area resulting in over 70 students auditioning for the top three in their divisions.

Aaron Robinson, President of the Maine Chapter, said: “Even though it is a competition, with a formal audition process that abides by regulations and requirements, whenever we come together, seeing familiar faces, welcoming new arrivals, cheering each other on … it always feels like family; and we come away stronger and better for the experience.”

Cherie Scott of Boothbay said that she and her husband Guy, were “extra proud and grateful parents.” Their daughter Sophia placed first in her division for the third time. “The arts are alive and thriving. What an amazing opportunity for [Sophia] to grow and learn from the talented performers in our state. We are so thankful to the NATS Maine Chapter,” says Scott.

At the awards ceremony, 24 students were awarded first, second and third placement in the State of Maine NATS Festival Competition, accompanied by Certificates of Achievement and a monetary presentation.

The next Maine NATS competition will be the Classical Festival held on Saturday, May 2 at the Olin Arts Center. The Finals Competition is open to the public beginning at 1 p.m. in the afternoon. Admission is free.

Founded in 1944, NATS celebrates its 75th anniversary this year with a continued mission as the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world with more than 7,000 members in the United States, Canada, and more than 35 other countries. The Maine Chapter of NATS consists of 40 active members that combine professional and private teachers of singing at all levels of study with studios throughout the State.