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.
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.
Registration
Registration has now closed. We look forward to welcoming registrants to Savannah very soon!
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 reference the Conference Refund Policy if needed.
Please note: late registrations after December 15 will be inclusive of meals on a space-available basis; access to the meals cannot be guaranteed.
Update as of December 17: the Monday luncheon is at capacity. Any new registrants may select the luncheon ticket to be put on a waitlist if a spot opens up, but this is NOT guaranteed.
Conference Highlights
Pre-Conference Add-Ons, Sunday January 5
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)
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).
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.
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 31st (deadline extended).
Contact Joshua Mays (may_joshua3@columbusstate.edu) or Emily Howes Heilman (ech035@shsu.edu) with any questions.
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
