Code of Ethics and References
I am your National Association of Teachers of Singing member here on the island of Maui, as well as a member of the San Francisco Bay Area NATS Chapter since 1984.
Code of
Ethics of the National Association of Teachers of Singing
I. Personal Ethical Standards
1. Members will strive to teach with competence through
study of voice pedagogy,
musicianship, and performance skills.
2. Members will present themselves honestly, in a
dignified manner, and with documented
qualifications: academic degrees, professional experience, or a combination of
both.
3. Members will faithfully support the Association and are
encouraged to participate in its
activities.
II. Ethical Standards Relating to Students
1. Members will respect the personal integrity and privacy
of students unless the legal or
academic system requires disclosure.
2. Members will treat each student in a dignified and impartial manner.
3. Members will clearly communicate all expectations of
their studios including financial
arrangements.
4. Members will respect the student's right to obtain
instruction from the teacher of his/her
choice.
5. Members will offer their best voice and music
instruction and career advice to all
students under their instruction. They will complete the full number of lessons
and
amount of time paid for by each student in accordance with studio policies.
6. Members will not make false or misleading statements
regarding a student's hopes for a
career or guarantees of performances or favorable contracts.
III. Ethical Standards Relating to Colleagues
1. Members will refrain from making false claims regarding
themselves or their students
and from making false or malicious statements about colleagues or their
students.
2. Members will not, either by inducements, innuendoes, or
other acts, proselytize
students of other teachers.
3. Members will render honest and impartial adjudication
at NATS auditions and/or
NATS competitions and students will not be requested to disclose names of
present
or former teachers until after the event.
4. Members will disclose at NATS events the name of a
student's previous voice
teacher if the student has studied with the current teacher for less than eight
months.
5. When a member's expertise warrants collaboration,
members will work collegially
with other professionals (i.e., voice therapists, speech pathologists, and
medical
practitioners).
6. Rules and regulations of any accredited academic
institution take precedence over
the NATS Code of Ethics, should there be a conflict.
• Sarah Oppenheim Beggs is an experienced, thoughtful and nurturing voice teacher
whose care and wisdom has helped my teenage daughter grow
her confidence, vocal range, vocal repertoire and body/voice
awareness. Carolee Fucigna
• …patience, support and mentoring!
Jaimie
Lowe
• My success as a music student, and continued curiosity
about music would never exist without such an outstanding
instructor.
Courtney Limcaco
• …A teacher, friend, life advisor and mentor.Thank You!