Shorter College welcomes master voice teachers, NATS interns to campus

May 20 - Four of the nation’s top voice teachers will find a home at Shorter this June, as the college will host the 2009 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Intern Program.

The public will have a chance to attend student performances and teaching demonstrations during the program, explained Shorter College Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Matthew Hoch. “The event will be an asset to Shorter, our students and the local community,” said Hoch. “This program gives participants a chance to be directly observed and coached by some of the greatest voice teachers in the United States.

For 10 days in June, 24 voice students from the Shorter College community will work with twelve talented voice teachers from across the United States. Each of these young singers will be mentored by four nationally renowned master teachers. The program will consist of daily voice lessons, master classes and presentations by visiting artists on a variety of voice related topics and performances.

Master teachers who will participate in the event include Carmen Balthrop, from the University of Maryland; Jeannette LoVetri, a private studio teacher from New York City; George Gibson, professor emeritus from Wichita State University; and Scott McCoy, from the Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Hoch, a 2006 alumnus of the NATS program, was instrumental in bringing the internship to the college and will serve as the on-site coordinator during the event. “My time as a NATS intern was one of the very best professional experiences I’ve ever had. It not only allowed me to improve my teaching skills, but it also allowed me to network at a young age with the most seasoned professionals in my field.” Dr. Linda Lister, associate professor of music, vocal coordinator and opera director at Shorter College, will serve as assistant on-site coordinator. She is also an alumna of the program, having been an intern in 1996. Additionally, Dr. John Ramsaur, professor emeritus of music at Shorter College, was selected as a master teacher for the 2001 NATS Intern Program at the University of Dayton. Ramsaur taught at Shorter for 50 years along with his wife, Helen. Together, they contributed 92 years of service to the college.

The program, which begins on June 9 and ends June 19, will feature daily teaching presentations that are open to the public. The presentations will be held in the Evans Chorale Room inside the Minor Fine Arts building.

On Wednesday, June 10, Jodi Barth, physical therapist, and Gincy Stezar, physical therapist assistant, will present part one of “Head to Toe: A Physical Therapy Approach to Postural Alignment and Performance Improvement,” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Part two of the presentation will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Thursday, June 11, master teacher Scott McCoy will present “Voice Teaching in the 21st Century: Establishing a Fact-Based Pedagogy,” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dr. Paul Walker’s presentation on vocal health will follow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Friday, June 12, master teacher Jeannette LoVetri will present “Two Parts of One Equation: Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy and an Approach to It,” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A master class taught by George Gibson will follow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday’s presentation, “Movement for Singers: The Art of Presentation,” will be given by master teacher Carmen Balthrop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A master class taught by McCoy will follow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Monday, June 15, Lo Vetri will host a master class from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a presentation by Gibson, titled: “The Voice Teacher as Opera Director: The Pros and Cons,” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Balthrop will teach a master class on Tuesday, June 16, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the “Vocal Literature Session I,” will follow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The presentation will be lead by Cynthia Vaughan, vocal literature liaison.

On Wednesday, June 17, Hoch will present, “Surviving the Tenure Process,” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with Vaughn’s “Vocal Literature Session II” following from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Thursday, a special recital by Shorter College students who were participants in this years’ NATS program will be showcased at 2 p.m. inside Brookes Chapel.

NATS was founded in 1944 and is now the largest association of teachers of singing in the world. Today the organization boasts more than 6,500 members in the United States, Canada, and more than 25 other countries around the world.

The 2009 NATS intern program is scheduled for June 9 through 19. For more information, log on to http://www.shorter.edu/NATS/.

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