2025 Savannah Conference
in conjunction with NATS Winter Workshop
January 5-8, 2025 in Savannah, GA at the city's favorite hotel, The DeSoto Savannah.
Registration Now Open!
Registration dates and rates for the joint NOA/NATS conference are:
- Early-bird, through Oct 1: $395 member; $495 non-member
- Regular registration: $415 member; $515 non-member
- Late registration, Dec. 6-24: $460 member; $560 non-member
- Student: $175; Late registration, Dec. 6-24: $200
- Spouse: $295 early-bird; $315 regular; $360 late
Single day registrations of $175 are also available.
Please note: late registrations after December 15 will be inclusive of meals on a space-available basis; access to the meals cannot be guaranteed.
Conference Highlights
Plan to arrive on Sunday, Jan. 5, in time to take in several pre-conference activities, including a workshop at SCAD (1-4pm, Savannah College of Art and Design), a world premiere opera performance (5pm, First Baptist Church), and a social mixer at Plant Riverside's The District (8-10pm, downtown Savannah).
Sessions begin on Monday morning, and the Keynote Address will be given by Atlanta Opera's General and Artistic Director, Tomer Zvulun at the Monday opening luncheon, followed by a panel featuring numerous Savannah arts organizations. Monday evening features the ever-popular Collegiate Opera Scenes finals, followed by a reception for all attendees.
Tuesday includes a robust array of sessions, as well as the Poster Session and the Regional Networking luncheon. Student attendees will enjoy an offsite luncheon together. Be sure to add on your trolley ticket for transportation to the evening production of Bessie and Ma by Douglas Buchanan and Caitlin Vincent, winners of the Chamber Opera Production.
The final day of the conference includes more sessions, as well as the annual Vocal Competition, and the closing banquet. NOA's Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Erie Mills, and Legacy Awards to Mary Henderson Stucky and Florence Quivar.
Conference Schedule (draft, subject to change)
Pre-Conference Add-Ons, Sunday January 5
Already registered? You can add these Add-Ons to your existing registration as follows:
> Login to the Portal > Select Events > My Event Registrations > click on the green Withdraw/Modify button > Click Select Ticket Options to select your Add-Ons
SCAD Workshop Flyer
SCAD Workshop, 1-4pm, $25
Join us as we take an inside look at Savannah Film Studios, the largest and most comprehensive university film studio complex in the nation, where recent student-led film projects have included musical films. We will tour the newly developed backlot, view a recently completed musical short film and understand how it was produced, participate in a panel with music, theatre and film students and faculty who are using these assets in creative ways, and experience the Extended Reality (XR) stage, the newest film technology for blending virtual realities with physical elements in film productions.
Location: Savannah Film Studios, 2315 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA 31415
World Premiere of The Eleanors, 5pm, $25
Savannah VOICE Festival presents: The Eleanors
Composed by Jodi Goble
Libretto co-written with Michael Ching
Meet The Eleanors — Maxie, Ramona and Lilian! These three indomitable ladies are holding down the home front during World War II with humor, heart, the support of good friends … and a nightly scoop of ice cream. Foxtrot down memory lane into 1940s Savannah with Jodi Goble’s swing and American Songbook-infused operatic score, set to words by Savannah VOICE Festival’s own composer-in-residence Michael Ching.
Location: First Baptist Church, 223 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401 (three blocks from The DeSoto)
Purchase as an add-on in registration, or afterward (for yourself or a guest) before Dec 24 using this link: https://noa.member365.org/sharingnetwork/store/item/31
More information: https://www.savannahvoicefestival.org/events-tickets/
District Live Mix and Mingle, 8-10pm, $40
Join colleagues for an opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends in the incredible state-of-the-art live music venue next to the iconic Savannah Riverfront. Enjoy a musical preview from three of Savannah’s leading arts organizations, American Traditions Vocal Collection, Savannah Voice Festival, and Savannah Music Festival. Light snacks and sweet treats will be provided, as well as one complimentary drink ticket.
Note: this is an offsite event, and attendees are responsible for transportation to and from (walking or rideshare recommended).
Purchase as an add-on in registration, or afterward (for yourself or a guest) before Dec 24 using this link: https://noa.member365.org/sharingnetwork/store/item/17
Location: District Live at Plant Riverside District, 400 W River St, Savannah, GA 31401
Conference Hotel
As you plan for the conference, please see also the Travel and Lodging information for making your hotel reservations at the excellent conference rate of $161/night+tax. Reservation cutoff date is Dec 15, but we encourage attendees to book their rooms well in advance of the deadline in case the group room block sells out prior to the deadline.
Advertising and Exhibitor Opportunities
Secure a spot for your advertisement in the 2025 conference booklet! Printed in full color and highly visible throughout the duration of the conference, the NOA booklet is a fantastic place to highlight your program or event. A limited number of exhibitor tables are available for $350 as an add-on to any regular registration. Sponsorships are another great way to get your brand in front of conference guests, and these include sponsoring a meal, coffee break, or other items. Deadline: December 1, 2024, or until sold out. For more information visit Conference Advertising and Exhibitors.
Conference Sizzler
For a quick overview of what's in store for the conference, see the November 12th webinar:
About Savannah - Things to Do
Visit Savannah has a beautiful guide to Savannah to help you prepare for your visit: 2024 Insider's Guide
Mentor/Mentee Program
NOA's mentoring program is a popular feature of the Annual Conference and we are happy to continue this initiative in January 2025. We are looking to pair participants across the nation to cultivate relationships, bolster academic CVs and artist résumés, and enhance learning opportunities for both mentors and mentees.
We invite current faculty members and established professionals to serve as mentors in the program and encourage early/emerging career professional to apply as a mentee.
If you would like to participate in 2025, please submit the application form by December 10th.
Contact Joshua Mays (may_joshua3@columbusstate.edu) or Emily Howes Heilman (ech035@shsu.edu) with any questions.
Masterclass Participation
We have an exciting opportunity for student performers to participate in a masterclass with Mary Henderson Stucky at our 70th Annual NOA Conference and NATS Winter Workshop in Savannah, GA. We ask that students select and prepare an art song or aria with their teachers to perform in this masterclass. All participants should complete and submit our on-line form. As part of the selection process, students should complete and upload one opera aria or art song performance video recording to YouTube for review by our selection committee. Pre-recorded or live accompaniment may be used in your video submission. Please select “unlisted” on your YouTube video, and then provide the active link on your application form. You must fully complete and submit your application by 5:00pm (EST) on December 2, 2024. No incomplete applications will be accepted. Selected participants will be notified via e-mail on December 6, 2024, by 5:00pm (EST). All selected participants must confirm their participation via e-mail to Dr. Joshua May, Vice-President of Regions and Co-Chair of the Student Programming Committee, at may_joshua3@columbusstate.edu by December 9, 2024, by 5:00pm (EST). All student participants are required to fully register for the conference by 11:59pm (EST) on December 13, 2024. Thank you!
Raves from Past Conferences
I found this year's NOA conference the most inspiring of any I have attended. Here I was amongst colleagues who are curious, open to new ideas, and genuinely committed to educating performers. I left feeling excited, motivated, and thrilled to explore new possibilities.
Ann Baltz, educator, director, and pianist
My only regret about attending this amazing conference was the fact I spent much of my time kicking myself in the head for not joining NOA 30 years ago. I missed so much, but; I’m so happy to be part of this wonderful group now. Never too late!!
Bob Breault, University of Utah
National Conference
Past Conference Info Phoenix/Tempe, January 2024
Past Conference Info Houston, January 2023
Past Conference Info St. Augustine, January 2022
