The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is pleased to announce the 16 individuals selected for the 2025 NATS Intern Program, an immersive experience designed to enrich early-career voice teachers and collaborative pianists.

Held May 20-30, 2025, at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, this program pairs participants with veteran master teachers to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas and techniques, helping attendees return to their studios with enhanced teaching and coaching skills.

Representing eight NATS regions — Central, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-South, North Central, Southeastern, Texoma, and West Central — the 2025 class includes 12 voice teachers (from both independent and academic settings) and four collaborative pianists.

NATS Intern Program – Class of 2025

Collaborative Piano

• Katie Barr - Central Region
• Rachel Bennett - Southeastern Region
• Susan Dantoni - Mid-South Region
• Mirim Kim - West Central Region

Voice

• Anna Diemer - Mid-Atlantic Region
• Meredith Eib - Mid-Atlantic Region
• Lesley Friend - Texoma Region
• Alexandria Hanhold - Great Lakes Region
• John Lindsey - West Central Region
• Kellie Motter - Mid-Atlantic Region
• Lexie Rains - Texoma Region
• Alex Ritchie - North Central Region
• Katilyn Sanders - Texoma Region
• Grace Steiner - West Central Region
• Laura Thomason - Southeastern Region
• Emily Venturella - Central Region

Guiding the voice interns will be master teachers Justin John Moniz, 2025 Ellen Faull Master Teacher, (NYU Steinhardt), Sandra Oberoi (Harmony - The Music School), Amelia Rollings Bigler (Coastal Carolina University), and Noel Smith, 2025 William Vessels Master Teacher, (Noel Voice Studio). The collaborative piano interns will work with Rachelle Jonck (Bel Canto Boot Camp). Katherine Calcamuggio Donner of University of Louisville will serve as the local, on-site coordinator, and Tana Field of Murray State University is the vocal literature liaison.

L to R: Rachelle Jonck, Justin John Moniz, Sandra Oberoi, Amelia Rollings Bigler, and Noel Smith

Diana Allan, director of the 2025 NATS Intern Program and immediate past president of NATS, is impressed with this class, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and teaching contributions.

“This outstanding group of early-career voice teachers and collaborative pianists, representing eight NATS regions, embodies talent, dedication, and a passion for excellence in musical artistry,” Allan said. “This group includes active performers and scholars who are teaching in independent studios, college programs, or high school programs. We look forward to the incredible work they will accomplish with their distinguished Master Teachers through this transformative program. This cohort is another in the 34-year legacy of the NATS Intern Program — making a lasting impact on the lives of these NATS members and their students. Congratulations to this year’s interns and to the many Intern Program alums and supporters who make this program possible!”

NATS interns frequently reunite at the biennial NATS conferences to maintain the close professional bonds formed during the program. At the 2024 NATS national conference in Knoxville, alumni gathered for an intern reunion event and the tradition will continue at the 2026 national conference in San Antonio. Since its founding in 1991, the NATS Intern Program has built an alumni network of more than 300 voice-teaching professionals.

Thank you to Our Donors!

Thanks to generous gifts from our supporters, the program is offered at no cost to interns. We are thrilled to share the newly endowed status of the Ellen Faull Master Teacher Fund thanks to the steadfast contributions of Kari Ragan and numerous NATS members. Stay tuned for additional information highlighting this outstanding achievement in honor of Ellen Faull.

Contributions from several funds and grants, including the William “Bill” Vessels Endowment, the James McKinney Fund, the Barbara Doscher Fund, Ellen Faull Master Teacher Endowment, the NATS Intern Program Grants: Established by the 2021 Master Teachers, the Clifton Ware Group-Voice Pedagogy Award, as well as the NATS Foundation Heritage Fund help sustain this vital program.

To make a gift supporting the NATS Intern Program, please contact NATS Development Director Jen Jimenez.

Schools or facilities interested in coordinating/hosting a future NATS Intern Program can contact the NATS past president for details and facility requirements.

About the NATS Intern Program

The NATS Intern Program provides an exceptional training experience for early-career voice teachers and collaborative pianists. By pairing interns with experienced mentors, the program fosters a vibrant exchange of ideas and techniques, improving teaching and coaching skills. Learn more by watching the NATS Intern Program playlist on YouTube.

The program is held annually, and application materials for the 2026 program will be available in late summer 2025.