Meeting the Needs of NATS Members Throughout the World

Abstract

Meeting the Needs of NATS Members Throughout the World Carole Blankenship (bio) FROM THE PRESIDENT During 2020 and 2021 I have met many NATS members, friends old and new, in Zoom rooms. Numerous NATS meetings have been held virtually, including the 2020 NATS Virtual Conference and the 2021 Winter and Summer Workshops. Due to this I was fortunate to meet many new (to me!) NATS members from throughout the world. In addition, I have enjoyed meeting via Zoom or Facebook with NATS members as a substitute for sharing many emails or phone messages. It truly has been an amazing time and a great improvement in the ease of communicating with others around the world. One outcome of this "face to face" interaction has been more interest from our international members, those outside North America. We have learned that international members have interests that range from auditions to professional development overseen and created by NATS members. Specifically these pursuits include—but are not limited to—NSA, NATSAA, NMTC, NATS Mentoring Initiatives, the Live Learning Center, and content from our workshops and conferences. The first international member was accepted into NATS in 1977 and we since have welcomed members from many different countries. However, we had not formalized an International Region until this year. Initially in 1946, the NATS Board formed 8 districts, then around 1972 officially formed 13 regions, including the Canadian provinces into those regions in 1980. The Northwestern Region was divided and the Intermountain Region formed in 1984, bringing the total number of regions to 14. NATS held its first workshop outside North America in London, December 27,1977–January 5, 1978. Two international workshops were held in 1979: London, England and Graz, Austria. Marvin Keenze, the first NATS International Coordinator was appointed in 1990. As International Coordinator, Marvin has traveled to 51 countries and assisted voice professionals (not exclusively NATS members) in the formation of independent associations for voice teachers in their countries and regions. Marvin Keenze's work as International Coordinator and Chairman of the International Congress of Voice Teachers continues as we prepare for and promote the 10th ICVT to be held in Vienna, August 3–6, 2022. As I write this column, NATS has 180 International Members from 35 countries. During the pandemic there has been increased interest from current international members to organize as NATS chapters in their areas outside North America. At the same time these members experienced the recent virtual meetings and auditions, and have become more aware of all the benefits that come to those who belong to this association. [End Page 313] In late June 2021, the NATS Board unanimously approved the formation of the new International Region. Sarah Holman has been appointed governor until a regional election can occur in two years. Sarah is Professor of Music (voice) at Wheaton College. She has been a featured artist and master teacher with the Southern Young Artist Opera Project in Beijing, China, and in Changhua and Taipei, Taiwan. She was a featured artist and master teacher with the Asian Opera Festival in Kunming, China, and at the Bel Canto Opera Workshop in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. A recipient of a Goldovsky Opera Directing Internship with Harrower Opera in Atlanta, Dr. Holman has served as Director of Opera at Wheaton College Conservatory. In the fall, Sarah Holman emailed each member of the International Region and has had several exciting responses from the Philippines, Germany, England, and Japan! There is a keen interest in possibility for professional exchange and networking, as well as encouraging students of international members to more fully participate in auditions. Sarah will help guide NATS members throughout the world to take advantage of all that NATS has to offer them. At the same time the International Region was approved, NATS welcomed the first international chapter, the South Korea Chapter. Led by president, Alexander Lee, the chapter already has held in-person auditions, aided by the NATS national office staff. The auditions were attended and adjudicated both virtually and in person by NATS leaders from around the world. It is our hope to coordinate with the office staff and the international members to undertake trial Virtual International Auditions in the coming...