VANATS Student Auditions

What are VANATS Student Auditions?

Each year, NATS chapters and regions host Student Adjudications, also known as Student Auditions, offering singers a dynamic opportunity to perform and receive valuable written feedback on their performances. These auditions extend to the national level, where participants can compete for prizes. To participate in the NATS National Student Auditions, singers must study with a current NATS member.

Eligibility for audition categories is determined by factors such as the amount of time a singer has studied voice, their voice type, age as of September 1, and, for younger students, their year in school. Qualifying singers from the Virginia NATS Chapter Student Auditions are eligible to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Region Student Auditions. These events not only allow singers to connect, share their artistry, and learn from one another but also enable NATS teachers to build stronger relationships with colleagues. Attendees enjoy hearing a diverse repertoire of songs, making the auditions an enriching and inspiring experience for all.

In 2026-2027 there are two separate VANATS conferences: In person (November 2026) and Online/Virtual (January 2027).

Updated NSA Audition Guidelines

Each year, the NATS National Board updates the guidelines for the National Student Auditions. Please be sure to review the 2026–2027 guidelines as you and your students prepare for this year's auditions: Start here!

• AuditionNow —Use this NEW platform for progressive auditions: Chapter and Regional auditions in which qualifying singers advance from the Chapter level to the Region level and may ultimately advance to the National Student Auditions in June 2027. https://auditionnow.org/events/manage

• AuditionWare — Use this platform for non-progressive Chapter auditions: Chapter auditions in which singers do not advance to a Regional audition and therefore are not part of the pathway to the National Student Auditions. https://www.auditionware.com/nats/index.php

• How to Access AuditionWare: Accessing the NATS Auditions Registration System - PDF Instructions

• Categories of Entry Documents:

  • Classical Category Guide 2026-2027

  • Musical Theatre Category Guide 2026-2027

  • Commercial Music Category Guide 2026-2027

• Video Submission Guidelines: NSA Video Submission Guidelines

IN PERSON: ALL CATEGORIES

• Registration on AuditionWare: September 21 - October 13, 2026

• Last Day to Change Repertoire: October 16, 2026

• Conference: November 6-7, 2026.

ONLINE/VIRTUAL: ALL CATEGORIES

• Registration and video submissions on AuditionWare: November 30, 2026 - January 6, 2027

• Registration will remain open through the holiday season, but so that our leadership can enjoy the holidays with family, please note our designated blackout dates for support:
  December 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027

• Registration for the Winter Virtual Conference will be completed through AuditionWare.

• The registration cost for the Winter Virtual Conference is $25 per category.

• All requirements, categories, and guidelines for Winter Conference video submissions are available here:
  https://www.nats.org/NSA_Under_Construction.html

• Announcement of Winners: January 30, 2027

Parking

Parking will be provided at JMU

Check In

Singers
Singers must check in at least 30 minutes before your audition

Teachers
All teachers/adjudicators are expected to attend the judges’ meeting both Friday and Saturday.

Friday: 8:15 am
Saturday: 8:15 am

Registration Fees

Chapter dues: $25.00 (Chapter dues should be paid on the NATS national site along with national dues.)

Conference Registration Fee:  $40.00 (There is no conference fee for on-line auditions)

Student Audition Fee (for each audition scheduled)

• Adult, College, and Online Categories: $25

• Children, Youth and High School In-Person: $45

Judges’ Commitment:
Members who register students in any category for the in person event are expected to be present for both conference days to judge.

If you are unable to attend or judge at the in person event, we strongly encourage teachers to enter their students in the January virtual event. A teacher who registers students for the in person event and does not attend/judge for both days must pay a $40 registration fee plus either find a substitute judge (a NATS member who is has not registered students for the VANATS in person event) OR pay a $100 substitute judging fee.

Lodging

VANATS will not be providing hotel recommendations or blocks.

Dining

VANATS provides lunch for all adjudicators on Friday and Saturday, and we are looking at a possible reception for members on Friday evening that may have an additional cost. More information on that soon.

Singers, chaperones, and pianists should make their own arrangements for dining during the conference.