Linda Snyder (second from left) during an informal roundtable discussion

by Linda J. Snyder, Program Director and NATS Immediate Past-President

Established in 1991, the intensive 10-day 2019 NATS Intern Program ended June 13 with a flourish of pedagogy activity, our volunteer voice students’ recital, and a farewell celebratory dinner. This year’s program was held at Boston’s New England Conservatory and provided yet another incredible experience with NATS members mentoring one another, sharing ideas, exploring, collaborating, and spreading empathy and dedication to the art and science of teaching and singing.

As program director, my deep appreciation goes to our outstanding faculty who gave so generously of their time, talent and energy: Lynn Helding, Dan Johnson-Wilmot, JJ Penna, Mary Stucky, Kevin Wilson, along with Tana Field, our literature liaison. Our fifteen interns soaked up every ounce of their mentors’ experience in classes, lessons and presentations. Enhancing the program were guest presentations by independent studio teacher Dana Lynn Varga, a lecture recital of voice with lute/guitar (Mary Stucky with Rod Stucky), the staff of Mass General Hospital’s Voice Center (with tour), and Ian Howell’s introduction to NEC’s impressive Voice Pedagogy Lab. It was “Christmas in June” when Tana Field introduced and distributed to the interns numerous complimentary copies of scores and books from publishers, including copies of the So You Want to Sing Series and Carole Fitzpatrick’s AriaReady.

As always, twenty-four volunteer voice students were essential to the program, and our appreciation goes to the support of their Boston area primary teachers, who were acknowledged in the printed program of the final recital. Allen Henderson joined us for two days and had an informal meeting over pizza with the interns. Ian Howell and Kayla Gautereaux (VP of Boston NATS Chapter) were our most gracious and expert hosts, giving countless hours to the success of our program. Additionally, NEC’s location provided many opportunities to our group to explore international restaurants, museums, concerts, and historical areas, as well as Boston’s annual Early Music Festival.

The joy of mentoring one another, of life-long learning, of new colleagues for a lifetime – this is the NATS Intern Program, and our NATS community at its best!

Pictured above: Literature session with Tana Field

Attached pictures (below): 
From left: Rhea Olivaccé, Andrew Garland, Jessye DeSilva, and Mary Stucky (Master teacher) 

"Where do I get one of those shirts??"

Kerry Ginger (right) with Master teacher Kevin Wilson.

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