2021 NATS Singing Festival and Scholarship Audition
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
2021 Redwood Empire NATS Online Audition
Registration Instructions Redwood Empire NATS Auditions 2021 Online Auditions
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION for 2021 (Note changes from 2020)
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION for 2021 (Note changes from 2020)
- PLEASE read Auditions ESSENTIAL INFO, NEW THIS YEAR and General Repertoire Rules and Definitions. Look carefully at the Category, Repertoire and Performance Requirements page. You will need to have all of your student’s audition videos completed and uploaded before you complete your student’s registration.
- HOW TO REGISTER for the Singing Festival
- Log onto your member account at https://www.nats.org/ . After you login, you should be on the membership page. Click the green button that reads “NATS Auditions Registration”. (If you are already logged in to the website click “Member Home” on the top of whatever page you are on to access the membership page. If you have forgotten your login or password, follow directions on the website.)
- When you click on "NATS Auditions Registration" this will take you to the registration site. Once you are there click “Register for another Audition/Conference” and select "Redwood Empire - Redwood Empire 2021 Online Auditions" from the first drop down menu. Click SELECT
- It will ask you if you are registering students. Click the appropriate answer and click CONTINUE.
- Click on Register Another New Student. Select a previous student or enter a new student.
- Enter student’s name. Click NEXT.
- Enter Contact Details, click NEXT.
- Enter Personal Details, click NEXT.
- Enter additional information. (This is where you will have to read and agree with the NATS Copyright Policy and Legal Notice.) Check each box. click NEXT. "Data Saved"
- Click CONTINUE
- Add Student’s Category. Click SAVE
- Enter student's Repertoire titles and other information.
- PLEASE make sure to list larger works as sources of arias or MT selections.
- NEW - Include URL link to corresponding video. Please make sure that each link is correct. Remember that all of the videos should be “unlisted” to a YouTube Channel (Instructions on how to post an unlisted video here: https://youtu.be/zK_AiE1XI2g .
- Please be sure that you are not posting videos to a public YouTube Channel that will identify you as the teacher or may cause a copyright violation. Students may upload the videos, but be sure to check that the links work and go to the correct repertoire. The NATS Audition Video guidelines are here: https://www.nats.org/NSA_-_You_Tube_Round_Video_Submissions.html
- Select or Enter Pianist. Click NEXT. If the students are using pre-recorded accompaniments from multiple pianists or resources, select VARIOUS RECORDINGS.
- Review and confirm that all of the information is accurate by clicking the box at the bottom of the review page. Click SAVE. It will ask if you are entering the student in another category. Click YES to enter an additional category and NO to move to the next step.
- Next, select YES and click CONTINUE to enter another student and repeat the steps. When you are finished entering students, select NO and click CONTINUE.
- Click on COMPLETE REGISTRATION (Make sure that you have confirmed all of the information for each student and enter your workplace. There is no fee for not attending auditions, each member entering students will be assigned online judging).
- To pay for registration, click GO TO PAYMENT PAGE and follow the prompts. All payments are now taken through the national website. Do not proceed to the payment page until you have entered all students.
- No changes to repertoire and videos can be made after the registration deadline – March 6, 2021
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
FOUR DIVISIONS
Division I: Ages 10-14
Division II: Ages 15-18 (still in High School)
Division III: Post High School ages 18-24
Division IV: Ages 25 and above
In all Divisions, both songs are required to be memorized.
Recorded total time for both songs is 8 minutes – INCLUDING:
Introduction of 1) performer’s name, 2) title of composition and 3) composer.
CCM -- CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL MUSIC (CCM) CATEGORY
Requirements are two songs, prepared and memorized:
Language: one or two in English; one may be in a foreign language (optional).
Repertoire: Two contrasting contemporary songs, NOT from a musical or stage production. One song may be an original composition (optional). Student may accompany themselves.
Due to the virtual nature of this festival, no additional amplification is allowed.
CLASSICAL CATEGORY requirements are two songs, prepared and memorized:
Language: one in English and, in Div. II-IV, one in a foreign language.
Repertoire: For all divisions, one must be an Art Song.
The other song must be an Art Song of a different period, a classical folk song including classical gospel,
Classical Musical Theater (no belting), Opera, Operetta, or Oratorio.
MUSICAL THEATER CATEGORY requirements are two songs, prepared and memorized:
Both songs from a staged Broadway, Off-Broadway production, or film musical.
ONLY Division I may use one song from a movie score.
Singers should ensure that contrasting selections represent the spectrum of their vocal and dramatic abilities (Classical, Contemporary, Pop/Rock) and use a variety of vocalisms (belt, mix, legit).
Teachers will need this student information when registering students in the Singing Festival
There is a $35 entry fee for each student for each category entered. If a singer enters both the classical and musical theater categories, they will be required to pay two entrance fees, one for each category. If entering all three categories (classical, musical theater and CCM categories) the fee will be $105.
Division I: Ages 10-14
Division II: Ages 15-18 (still in High School)
Division III: Post High School ages 18-24
Division IV: Ages 25 and above
In all Divisions, both songs are required to be memorized.
Recorded total time for both songs is 8 minutes – INCLUDING:
Introduction of 1) performer’s name, 2) title of composition and 3) composer.
CCM -- CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL MUSIC (CCM) CATEGORY
Requirements are two songs, prepared and memorized:
Language: one or two in English; one may be in a foreign language (optional).
Repertoire: Two contrasting contemporary songs, NOT from a musical or stage production. One song may be an original composition (optional). Student may accompany themselves.
Due to the virtual nature of this festival, no additional amplification is allowed.
CLASSICAL CATEGORY requirements are two songs, prepared and memorized:
Language: one in English and, in Div. II-IV, one in a foreign language.
Repertoire: For all divisions, one must be an Art Song.
The other song must be an Art Song of a different period, a classical folk song including classical gospel,
Classical Musical Theater (no belting), Opera, Operetta, or Oratorio.
MUSICAL THEATER CATEGORY requirements are two songs, prepared and memorized:
Both songs from a staged Broadway, Off-Broadway production, or film musical.
ONLY Division I may use one song from a movie score.
Singers should ensure that contrasting selections represent the spectrum of their vocal and dramatic abilities (Classical, Contemporary, Pop/Rock) and use a variety of vocalisms (belt, mix, legit).
Teachers will need this student information when registering students in the Singing Festival
- Name
- School
- Birthdate
- Mailing Address
- City
- Zip
- Phone
- Age at time of festival
- Category Entered
- Division Entered
- Voice classification
- Name of teacher
- Length of study with current teacher
- Repertoire Title
- Repertoire: From larger work
- Repertoire: Composer
- Repertoire: Exact Duration
There is a $35 entry fee for each student for each category entered. If a singer enters both the classical and musical theater categories, they will be required to pay two entrance fees, one for each category. If entering all three categories (classical, musical theater and CCM categories) the fee will be $105.
MEET THE JUDGES
CLASSICAL CATEGORY JUDGES
JODY BENECKE
soprano, has served as Director of Vocal Music for the Santa Rosa Junior College Music Department since the fall of 2006. A graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Music, Ms. Benecke worked as a professional operatic and concert soloist in the U.S. and in Europe. She has served as a vocal and choral instructor for the International School of Düsseldorf, Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria and is currently at SRJC where she directs the Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers and has collaborated with the SRJC Theatre Arts Department as Vocal Music Director for musical productions including The Phantom of the Opera, In the Heights and Into the Woods.
JIM MEREDITH
tenor, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Tulane University. He is a musical partner with mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. As a solo pianist, vocal and instrumental accompanist and conductor in America, Europe and Asia, his work has brought him into contact with such artists as Elly Ameling, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Eleanor Steber, Gerald Moore for whom he has played masterclasses. For four summers he was pianist Dalton Baldwin's assistant in art song in masterclasses at the French Conservatory in Nice. Concerts with Ms. Von Stade included two appearances on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," each reaching a National Public Radio audience of over two million listeners.” He has been conductor of the Oakland Symphony Chorus, was on the faculty of Merritt College, taught masterclasses at Holy Names College, was Festival Opera chorus master, taught Art Song masterclasses at San Jose State University and has been on the voice/piano faculty of the award-winning Young Musicians Choral Orchestra for 17 years where his students have won many competitions and been accepted at major US universities and conservatories.
soprano, has served as Director of Vocal Music for the Santa Rosa Junior College Music Department since the fall of 2006. A graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Music, Ms. Benecke worked as a professional operatic and concert soloist in the U.S. and in Europe. She has served as a vocal and choral instructor for the International School of Düsseldorf, Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria and is currently at SRJC where she directs the Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers and has collaborated with the SRJC Theatre Arts Department as Vocal Music Director for musical productions including The Phantom of the Opera, In the Heights and Into the Woods.
JIM MEREDITH
tenor, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Tulane University. He is a musical partner with mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. As a solo pianist, vocal and instrumental accompanist and conductor in America, Europe and Asia, his work has brought him into contact with such artists as Elly Ameling, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Eleanor Steber, Gerald Moore for whom he has played masterclasses. For four summers he was pianist Dalton Baldwin's assistant in art song in masterclasses at the French Conservatory in Nice. Concerts with Ms. Von Stade included two appearances on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," each reaching a National Public Radio audience of over two million listeners.” He has been conductor of the Oakland Symphony Chorus, was on the faculty of Merritt College, taught masterclasses at Holy Names College, was Festival Opera chorus master, taught Art Song masterclasses at San Jose State University and has been on the voice/piano faculty of the award-winning Young Musicians Choral Orchestra for 17 years where his students have won many competitions and been accepted at major US universities and conservatories.
MUSICAL THEATER CATEGORY JUDGES
ERIC JACKSON
As a Musical Theater Department graduate from the University of Michigan, Eric’s New York City performing credits include Broadway’s THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and the original cast of the Mel Brooks musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and original cast recording. He traveled nationally and internationally with touring companies of THE BOOK OF MORMON, DREAMGIRLS, RAGTIME, CHICAGO, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, and THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. Off- Broadway he was seen in FINIAN’S RAINBOW at the Irish Repertory Theater and can be heard on their cast recording. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with the concert version of SHOW BOAT. He was a longtime performer with Lincoln Center’s The Little Orchestra Society and their young theater series LOLLIPOPS. He also played regionally in Theaters including Westchester Broadway Theater, Paper Mill Playhouse, Maine State Music Theatre, Weston Playhouse, and Pioneer Theatre. Eric television appearances include “As the World Turns,” “Sex and the City,” “The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” and numerous commercial spots.
Offstage, Eric has taught workshops and masterclasses in New York City with the Broadway Student Lab, Broadway Artists Alliance, and the Broadway Classroom. He has been a Guest Instructor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham and Siena Heights University. Eric moved to Sonoma to help launch the Transcendence Theatre Company where his creative skills were put to use on and offstage as a performer, as well as Director, Choreographer, Costume Designer, and Props Master for numerous seasons and was voted as “Person to Watch (Male)” by Broadway World SF for his work with TTC. Eric currently heads the Fiber Arts Department and is the Creative Programs Manager at the Sonoma Community Center.
ERIN WILSON
Erin Wilson is a Broadway/TV/Film actor, Voice Specialist, Acting Coach, Utah Valley University Theatre Faculty & owner of Erin Wilson Studio. She has performed on Broadway and in National Tours, has appeared on the Hallmark Channel, Netflix, TNT, and has been fortunate to work and train with many amazing actors and creatives.
Erin studied Musical Theater at Brigham Young University before moving to NYC. Early in her career, she worked for many lovely theaters across the US before originating the role of Shen Shen and understudying Madame Morrible in the record-breaking show of Wicked (2nd National Tour). Erin has played Madame Morrible, the Midwife, and Shen Shen in all three Wicked US companies: 1st National, 2nd National, and Broadway! Favorite roles include Sister Mary-Martin-of-Tours in the national tour of Sister Act, The Witch in Into the Woods, Cha Cha in Grease (x's 3!), Dolly Tate in Annie Get Your Gun to name a few. TV/Film: Public Morals (TNT), directed by Edward Burns, Tales of the City (Netflix) with Laura Linney, Holiday for Heroes (Hallmark Channel). She continues to work on her craft with some of the very best in NYC and LA as well as run her personal online studio to students worldwide.
As a Musical Theater Department graduate from the University of Michigan, Eric’s New York City performing credits include Broadway’s THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and the original cast of the Mel Brooks musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and original cast recording. He traveled nationally and internationally with touring companies of THE BOOK OF MORMON, DREAMGIRLS, RAGTIME, CHICAGO, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, and THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. Off- Broadway he was seen in FINIAN’S RAINBOW at the Irish Repertory Theater and can be heard on their cast recording. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with the concert version of SHOW BOAT. He was a longtime performer with Lincoln Center’s The Little Orchestra Society and their young theater series LOLLIPOPS. He also played regionally in Theaters including Westchester Broadway Theater, Paper Mill Playhouse, Maine State Music Theatre, Weston Playhouse, and Pioneer Theatre. Eric television appearances include “As the World Turns,” “Sex and the City,” “The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” and numerous commercial spots.
Offstage, Eric has taught workshops and masterclasses in New York City with the Broadway Student Lab, Broadway Artists Alliance, and the Broadway Classroom. He has been a Guest Instructor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham and Siena Heights University. Eric moved to Sonoma to help launch the Transcendence Theatre Company where his creative skills were put to use on and offstage as a performer, as well as Director, Choreographer, Costume Designer, and Props Master for numerous seasons and was voted as “Person to Watch (Male)” by Broadway World SF for his work with TTC. Eric currently heads the Fiber Arts Department and is the Creative Programs Manager at the Sonoma Community Center.
ERIN WILSON
Erin Wilson is a Broadway/TV/Film actor, Voice Specialist, Acting Coach, Utah Valley University Theatre Faculty & owner of Erin Wilson Studio. She has performed on Broadway and in National Tours, has appeared on the Hallmark Channel, Netflix, TNT, and has been fortunate to work and train with many amazing actors and creatives.
Erin studied Musical Theater at Brigham Young University before moving to NYC. Early in her career, she worked for many lovely theaters across the US before originating the role of Shen Shen and understudying Madame Morrible in the record-breaking show of Wicked (2nd National Tour). Erin has played Madame Morrible, the Midwife, and Shen Shen in all three Wicked US companies: 1st National, 2nd National, and Broadway! Favorite roles include Sister Mary-Martin-of-Tours in the national tour of Sister Act, The Witch in Into the Woods, Cha Cha in Grease (x's 3!), Dolly Tate in Annie Get Your Gun to name a few. TV/Film: Public Morals (TNT), directed by Edward Burns, Tales of the City (Netflix) with Laura Linney, Holiday for Heroes (Hallmark Channel). She continues to work on her craft with some of the very best in NYC and LA as well as run her personal online studio to students worldwide.
CCM (CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL MUSIC) CATEGORY JUDGE
MADDIE TARBOX
Maddie Tarbox is a D.C. based voice specialist, studio owner, and performer born and raised in Northern Utah. She received her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Central Florida and her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from Weber State University in Utah. She currently serves on the Voice Faculty for Musical Theatre at Shenandoah University where she received her Masters in Music, Voice Pedagogy - Commercial Contemporary Track in May of 2020.
In addition to her work with SU, Maddie runs her own professional voice studio in the Washington DC area, serving artists who perform a wide range of styles from musical theatre and pop to rock and jazz. Students have gone on to perform with such companies as Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Wooly Mammoth, Round House as well as national broadway tours. With evidence-based voice pedagogy at the core of her teaching, Maddie helps singers achieve vocal freedom, efficiency, and consistency within the demands of their desired style/genre.
When she's not teaching, Maddie enjoys spending her time exploring the beauty of the Virginia countryside and Shenandoah with her wonderful husband, Connor. Together they live one crazy-artist life.
STEPHANIE BARE
Stephanie Bare is a performer, vocal coach, musical director and writer based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Her decade of experience onstage and behind the audition table, combined with her extensive training in vocal technique and science, makes her an invaluable resource for clients around the world.
Clients include: high school students preparing for university auditions, Grammy nominated recording artists, and Broadway, film, and television actors. Last year her high school students earned places in the highly competitive musical theatre programs at the University of Michigan, Syracuse University, Boston Conservatory, NYU Tisch, and the University of Southern California, among others.
Stephanie is proud to be a National Center for Voice and Speech trained Vocologist, a member of the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), and has recently returned to school to study Speech Language Pathology, with a focus on voice habilitation and rehabilitation.
Maddie Tarbox is a D.C. based voice specialist, studio owner, and performer born and raised in Northern Utah. She received her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Central Florida and her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from Weber State University in Utah. She currently serves on the Voice Faculty for Musical Theatre at Shenandoah University where she received her Masters in Music, Voice Pedagogy - Commercial Contemporary Track in May of 2020.
In addition to her work with SU, Maddie runs her own professional voice studio in the Washington DC area, serving artists who perform a wide range of styles from musical theatre and pop to rock and jazz. Students have gone on to perform with such companies as Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Wooly Mammoth, Round House as well as national broadway tours. With evidence-based voice pedagogy at the core of her teaching, Maddie helps singers achieve vocal freedom, efficiency, and consistency within the demands of their desired style/genre.
When she's not teaching, Maddie enjoys spending her time exploring the beauty of the Virginia countryside and Shenandoah with her wonderful husband, Connor. Together they live one crazy-artist life.
STEPHANIE BARE
Stephanie Bare is a performer, vocal coach, musical director and writer based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Her decade of experience onstage and behind the audition table, combined with her extensive training in vocal technique and science, makes her an invaluable resource for clients around the world.
Clients include: high school students preparing for university auditions, Grammy nominated recording artists, and Broadway, film, and television actors. Last year her high school students earned places in the highly competitive musical theatre programs at the University of Michigan, Syracuse University, Boston Conservatory, NYU Tisch, and the University of Southern California, among others.
Stephanie is proud to be a National Center for Voice and Speech trained Vocologist, a member of the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), and has recently returned to school to study Speech Language Pathology, with a focus on voice habilitation and rehabilitation.