N AT S P R O G R A M S
New NATS Award for Teachers Who Sing Barbara Hill Moore issues challenge grant to establish award for emerging teaching artists Barbara Hill Moore, senior associate
“Barbara Hill Moore epitomizes what a
dean for faculty and Meadows Foundation
true mentor and world class performer is
distinguished professor of voice at
in one brilliantly radiant force,” says Jeanai
Southern Methodist University Meadows
La Vita, herself a voice instructor and
School of the Arts, is establishing the
performer who has appeared with leading
Barbara Hill Moore Award for Emerging
companies such as New York City Opera,
Teaching Artists. Through a generous
Boston Lyric Opera and the Ravinia Festival.
challenge grant, Hill Moore seeks to
“She inspired me to pursue singing and
establish an endowment to support a
teaching at the highest level. As a proud
biennial award to facilitate professional
member of her voice studio family, I am
development of a NATS teacher of
following a path she lit for me early on. This
singing who is also pursuing an active
award she has created will give tangible
performance career.
support at a critical stage in a teaching artist’s life so that they may balance the
The award will be given to a NATS Artist
work necessary to teach and perform with
Awards finalist with a minimum of
excellence.”
five years of teaching experience. The NATS Artist Awards is a competition for singers whose artistry indicates that
Hill Moore has had a distinguished teaching Barbara Hill Moore
they are ready for a professional singing
and performing career. She began teaching at the SMU Meadows School of the Arts in
career and to encourage them toward that goal through
1974 and served as chair of the voice department from 1977
participation in the competition. The winner of the Teachers
through 1992. A National Endowment for the Arts Grant recipi-
Who Sing Award will be someone who has a bright future
ent, she received a bachelor’s degree in music education from
on a dual-career track.
Lincoln University of Missouri and an master’s degree in music
”I am so blessed to be engaged in a profession I love, vocal
education from the University of Illinois.
music — singing and teaching singing,” Hill Moore says. “I hope
Hill Moore has performed with orchestras throughout the
that others will join me and that together we can continue to
United States and Europe. She was a frequent performer in
be the best example of our love for singers and for singing, by
Western Europe, especially Germany, where she sang in opera,
providing opportunities for our beloved students.”
concert and recital, premiering the works of many American
Gifts to support the Barbara Hill Moore Award for Emerging
composers.
Teaching Artists can be made through our donation form,
Hill Moore was recently recognized with the “Lift Every Voice
or contact the NATS Executive Office at (904) 992-9101 for
and Sing LEGACY AWARD” from the National Opera Association
assistance.
and the “Faculty Career Achievement Award” from SMU.
nats.org
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