About Us

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, PhD, 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)