The NW Regional Conference will be held from March 4 - 6, 2016, at the Marriott in Seatac, WA

Our keynote speakers will take us from electropop to classical to jazz. 
  • Blake Lewis, American singer, songwriter and beatboxer, will perform as well as teach sampling improv, and answer our questions about the industry. 
  • Dr. Norman Spivey, NATS President and Penn State Professor, will address Cross Training in the Studio: Enhancing Vocalism by Working in Both Classical and Music Theater Styles.
  • Greta Matassa, Northwest based international jazz celebrity, will help us Trust Your Ears: Spontaneous Songwriting aka Improvising.
  • Erin Guinup will take us on a journey through time and styles of music theater with her performance The Ladies of Lyric and Song: Female Composers and Lyricists of the American Musical Theatre.
  • ​Dr. Kari Ragan will educate us on Vocal Health for the Cross Training Performer.
  • Dr. Mari Hahn  will refresh our Alexander skills
  • Plus NATSAA, our big art song event, will be held in conjunction, satisfying our love of quality classical singing.

There is special pricing for students, NATSAA singers, and single day registration. The banquet is an additional $52 and guests are welcome to also register for the banquet. See the Conference Registration for all pricing options.

Conference Schedule
Friday March 4
  • 6:00pm-7:00pm – a very light meal of fruits and cheeses, artichoke fritters, thai peanut chicken satays, Szechwan beef sate, tempura shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops and cash bar in the beautiful tropical atrium.  Registration.
  • 7:00pm-7:45pm - American Idol Style with Blake Lewis – Q&A, performance, and vocals/technology demonstration all packed in to an hour.
  • 8:00pm-9:00pm – The Ladies of Lyric & Song: Female Composers and Lyricists of the American Musical Theatre Performance by Erin Guinup – a program that every music theater lover should see.
Saturday March 5
  • 9:00am-10:30am - Vocal Health for the Cross Training Performer by Dr. Kari Ragan.  Dr. Ragan will talk about registration and how it relates to cross training, vocal health for all singers and specifically information on nodules, and a demonstration of exercises and techniques for the healing singer.
  • 10:45am-12:30pm - Cross Training in the Studio: Enhancing  Vocalism by Working in Both Classical and Music Theatre Styles  by NATS National President and Penn State instructor, Dr. Norman Spivey
  • 1:30pm-2:00pm - National/Regional Meeting, a chance to discuss issues with our national president and regional leadership
  • 2:00pm-3:45pm - Cross Training in the Studio: Masterclass with Dr. Norman Spivey.  Five singers ranging from 19 – 53 present a classical and a musical theater song for this class.
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm - Singing From Your Bones: Alexander Technique for the Voice by Dr. Mari Hahn.  An introduction for some of us and review for others, this audience participation class will be a wonderful way to wrap up an amazing day.
  • 6:00pm-7:30pm - Dinner Banquet with Entertainment, featuring pianist Justin Cormier.  Dinner is a buffet with two salads, crab chowder, NY Striploin with Red Wine Portabella Ragout, Roasted Red Pepper Seared Salmon, Penne Alfredo, and pastries for dessert.  This is not included in the event registration.  You must sign up separately, and can choose to just do the banquet and NATSAA finals without attending the rest of the conference.
  • 7:30pm-9:30pm - NATSAA Finals This classical singing contest is the event where our field of 18 NW singers from the morning is narrowed down to six to compete in the evening.  The first place winner will represent the Northwest at the NATS National Conference in July.  All Saturday NATSAA events are free to attend for everyone.
Sunday March 6
  • 9:00am-9:45am - Pedagogy Unique to CCM Singing.  Panel includes former punk singer Suzanne Grant, rock singer Rebeqa Rivers, and cross training expert Yanik Giroux, moderated by Cynthia Vaughn.
  • 9:45am-10:15am – Guided discussions for small groups on Canadian NATS, Cross Training in the Collegiate Studio, Vocal Work with Transgender Singers
  • 10:30am-12:00pm - Trust Your Ears: Spontaneous Songwriting  aka Improvising by Greta Matassa.  In this 90 minute class Greta will get us comfortable with singing and listening at the same time, skills that are essential for the next step; to feel more comfortable re-phrasing (changing up melodies) and/or scat singing.  These are skills that will translate directly to our studios.

Seattle Airport Marriott

Book your room with our NATS Conference Rate of 109.00 USD/night . This discounted rate is only available for March 4 - 6 and has been extended indefinitely by Marriott.
The Marriott is a special conference center with excellent dining,  native Northwest decor, a heated garden atrium, and indoor swimming pool -- the perfect place to feel like you've had a vacation without leaving the region.  It is also only a 1/4 mile walk from the hotel to the light rail station that serves downtown Seattle.  And it is only 5 miles from the Amtrak Cascades Tukwila station, meaning that travelers from all parts of our region can fly or take the train to the conference and leave the car at home.
There is a fee of $8 for parking at the Marriott.  This fee is for all cars, whether staying the night or just attending for the day.  For overnight guests, the charge will be on the bill.  For day-use parking, validation is required to get this highly discounted rate.  The parking lot is owned by SeaTac; Marriott does not have the ability to eliminate the charge.