About Us

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About Us NYSTA Activities NYSTA Governance To join NYSTA or find out more about membership click here.
NYSTA traces its history to 1906, when it was established as the first association of singing teachers in the United States. Founding members included such luminaries as Enrico Caruso, Emma Eames, Geraldine Farrar, Mary Garden, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, and Marcella Sembrich, joined together for the cause of promoting high quality singing in America. Today, NYSTA defines its mission as follows: To establish and maintain a standard of vocal production and voice instruction based on scientific principles. To encourage the highest standards of musicianship and artistic singing. To promote American vocal music and the craft of singing in English. To uphold a code of ethics governing the relationship of voice teachers to each other, their students, and the public. NYSTA's strives to provide teachers with the tools and inspiration needed for an increasingly informed and creative pedagogy. Immense advances in voice science, neurology, psychology, education theory, medicine, and mind/body healing offer new information and techniques from which voice teachers can draw. By making these resources accessible to our members, we foster twenty-first century pedagogy, rooted in the great traditions of the past, incorporating the new knowledge of our time. Over the years, NYSTA has played an important role in breaking down barriers among teachers and between teachers and those in related disciplines. We encourage a free exchange of ideas about the principles of good singing and the practices of good teaching. NYSTA events may include debate, but always within the context of mutual respect and high ethical standards. This atmosphere in turn enhances the standing of voice teachers among other professions, as attested by the invitation to NYSTA this year to co-sponsor a panel at the prestigious Voice Foundation Symposium, the nation's leading forum for otolaryngologists, speech pathologists and voice scientists. NYSTA events, held regularly between October and May, feature leading figures in vocal performance, interpretation, pedagogy, and health. Among those presented in recent years are international artists Regina Resnick, Teresa Stratas, and Elly Ameling, master teachers Oren Brown, Cornelius Reid, and Ruth Falcon, Dr. Peak Woo of the Grabscheid Voice Center, Anat Keidar, Ph.D., CCC-SLP of the Department of Otolaryngolgoy at St.Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital, and Dr. R. J. Baken, Director of Laryngology Research at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Since its earliest years, NYSTA has sought to foster standards in the profession. In the 1920s and 30s the organization led efforts to require certification by the New York State government for all voice teachers. While state certification was never implemented, its intent came to fruition four years ago with the establishment of our Professional Development Program (PDP), spearheaded by our last President, Janet Pranschke. The program offers a series of outstanding courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Acoustics, Vocal Health, Repertoire and Pedagogy, taught by leaders in each field. Those who complete all five courses earn the designation Distinguished Voice Professional. After three years as NYSTA's pilot program, we are proud to enter into a co-sponsorship this season with Teachers College Columbia University Center for Educational Outreach & Innovation. (more on PDP)
NYSTA Activities In addition to programs aimed at voice teachers and coaches, NYSTA offers training, career guidance, and performance opportunities for singers in the classical, Broadway and pop fields. These include: Lectures and panel discussions with leading experts Master classes by renowned artists Hands-on workshops on pedagogy, voice science, and body work Student competitions, awards and recitals Bi-annual composer's concert Special programs for Broadway performers For this season's upcoming events, click here.
NYSTA Governance Officers and Board of Directors NYSTA is governed by a constitution regulating its activities and decision-making processes. We have eight officers: President, First, Second and Third Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Corresponding and Recording Secretaries, and Registrar, all of whom report to an eighteen-member Board of Directors. Officers are elected by the membership for a three year term. Voting is done both online, on our website, and thru VoicePrints the NYSTA bulletin, which presents the slate of candidates to membership and provides ballots for members without online access to mail in their votes. Each new President appoints board members who will govern during his or her three-year term. NYSTA's Officers and Board, all of whom serve on a strictly volunteer basis, meet periodically to make decisions about all aspects of NYSTA's activities: programs, courses, publications, finances, special events, and membership issues. With significant increases in both membership and the scope of activities in recent years, the responsibilities of the board have increased concomitantly. Committees NYSTA has no professional staff. Much of the day to day work of running the organization falls to committees, each having a specific sphere of responsibility. These committees change from time to time, reflecting the organization's current aims and needs. At present, the committees are as follows: Event Programming Professional Development Program VoicePrints Newsletter Finance Website Administration Membership Marketing and Publicity Committee chairpersons are appointed by the President, based on the interests and skills of individuals able to take on the tasks. The President, board members and chairs consult to find additional members who can assist with committee work. It is not necessary for committee members to be board members. To join NYSTA, or find out more about membership click here Officers President: Josephine Mongiardo Vice President: Nancy Adams Treasurer: Peter Ludwig Secretary: Katherine Hoffman Registrar: Maria Argyros Board of Directors Cari Cole Barbara Eubanks Brian Gill Lisa Hogan Marjorie Kahn Paula Liscio Lori McCann Dora Ohrenstein Janet Pranschke Lisa Rochelle David Sabella-Mills Daniel Shigo Patrick Wickham Advisory Board Alison Behrman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Denise Coleman Linda Carroll, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Judith Nicosia Committee Chairs: Finance: Nancy Adams, Chair Professional Development: Janet Pranschke, Chair Membership: David Sabella-Mills, Chair Website Administrator: David Sabella-Mills Event Programming: Lisa Hogan and Brian Gill, Co-Chairs Publicity: Josephine Mongiardo David Adams Competition Committee: Nancy Adams, Chair VoicePrints (Bulletin) Editor: Daniel Shigo
Website Design and Administration: Sabella-Mills Associates Email the Website Administrator: dsm@nyst.org