Dear Randy and Vocalisters:
You wrote:
> I'm a member of NATS but I have found that the majority of those teachers
> are not especially curious and/or knowledgeable as they should be. A few
> years ago, the Chicago NATS chapter brought in Richard Miller. It was very
> obvious that from the reaction that most members were unaware of his
> writings although he's in the JOS. It was a very disheartening experience
> to say the least.
That is disheartening and it is also not unusual, I am afraid. I know that
when I studied with Burt Coffin in the mid 70's he still held high hopes
for NATS, as one of its founders because he believed in sharing ideas and
techniques even if it was not always comfortable to do so.
Often NATS workshops are most successfully attended when a famous PERFORMER
is featured. Although such workshops are interesting they often yield
little in the way of shared vocal techniques but mostly in material that
best belongs to "coaching" concepts.
However, these conditions reflect more the reluctance of individual chapters
to become involved in technical issues than in the reluctance of NATS
toward these matters on the national level. Perhaps little can be done in
your local area; perhaps much can be.
For nine years, as the Director of Opera-Theatre at my University, I had
little time to devote to NATS or any other organization although I was the
state director the National Opera Association for awhile. Now, as I am
in my last year at my University, and plan retirement in May, I am not sure
what course I shall take.
Perhaps the Internet will become the most effective manner of sharing for
voice teachers. It certainly has become a fine communication system for
those of us on this list.
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice, Vocal Pedagogy
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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