NATS Boston Mentorship Program
Modeled off the National NATS Intern Program, the NATS Boston Mentorship Program is an initiative designed to create opportunities for mentorship within our NATS Boston community. This program is entirely free for NATS Boston members.
Hear what participants are saying!
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"This program provided significant enlightenment of my comprehension over both the multifarious complexities and wondrous rewards of voice pedagogy. It has enabled and motivated me to view the art of teaching from a novel perspective."
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"This program was an invaluable experience, the benefits of which both myself and my students can notice!"
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"It was so incredibly helpful to have an extra ear to listen as I went through this journey on my first year as a voice teacher with a full-time teaching load...This was such a wonderful way to further expand my community circle!"
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2026–2027 Program Information
The program will run from September 2026 to March 2027. Program participants are selected by committee through an application process. The program includes:
1. Six monthly 2-hour virtual sessions with their mentor and full mentee cohort (3-4 individuals) over Zoom. These sessions may be organized any way the mentor chooses and might feature a combination of guided listening, lecture, observation and commentary on student teaching videos, or demonstration.
2. Monthly opportunities to observe mentored teachers working with students.
3. A culminating in-person event in March 2027.
4. A plethora of opportunities for connection and learning with peers and mentors.
1. Six monthly 2-hour virtual sessions with their mentor and full mentee cohort (3-4 individuals) over Zoom. These sessions may be organized any way the mentor chooses and might feature a combination of guided listening, lecture, observation and commentary on student teaching videos, or demonstration.
2. Monthly opportunities to observe mentored teachers working with students.
3. A culminating in-person event in March 2027.
4. A plethora of opportunities for connection and learning with peers and mentors.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026–2027 Mentorship Program have now closed.
Mentees have been alerted of their application status and will be announced soon.
Mentees have been alerted of their application status and will be announced soon.
2026–2027 Program Mentors
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Dr. Dana Lynne Varga
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Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin
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Dr. Dana Lynne Varga is an accomplished soprano, voice teacher, career coach and arts advocate. She has appeared as soloist at Carnegie Hall many times, including recent performances of both the Mozart and Fauré Requiem with Manhattan Concert Productions and both the Haydn Lord Nelson Mass and Brahms Requiem with Mid-America Productions. On the operatic stage, Dana has performed principal roles with Boston Lyric Opera, Odyssey Opera, Teatro Nuovo, MassOpera and many more. Favorite roles performed have included Fiordiligi from Cosi fan tutte, Musetta in La bohème, Anna Maurrant in Street Scene and Micaela in Carmen. She has appeared with both the Boston Ballet and the Boston Pops.
A sought-after pedagogue, Dana has maintained a full private studio for over twenty years. She works with professional classical singers and voice teachers in both private and group settings. Dana has served on the voice faculties of the Longy School of Music of Bard College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. She has intentionally left academia to fully embrace her independent work. Dana is a fierce advocate for singers, devoted to progressive change in the classical vocal industry. Please visit www.danavarga.com and www.theempoweredmusician.com. |
Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin is a multifaceted talent in the world of music, renowned for her contributions as a vocalist, arranger, scholar, clinician, and educator. The creator of the Soul Ingredients®, Dr. Trineice is dedicated to the performance and voice pedagogy of Black American music styles. Dr. Trineice is the executive director of the African American Jazz Caucus, board vice president for the Jazz Education Network, editorial board member for the Journal of Singing, and a member of the distinguished American Academy of Teachers of Singing.
Her career is marked by a commitment to both performing and developing innovative resources for vocal instruction. Her scholarly work includes the book “So You Want to Sing Gospel,” and numerous contributions to textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, and trade magazines. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and master class instructor, having shared her knowledge at prestigious institutions globally. As a performer, Dr. Trineice maintains a diverse schedule. She has been lauded by New York Music Daily as “an individualist who defies categorization: there’s the immediacy of classic soul music here, coupled with jazz sophistication, gospel rapture, and fervor.” Her debut album, “All Or Nothing,” showcases her dedication to Black American music and culture and features acclaimed artists such as Cyrus Chestnut and Don Braden. Recently named Chair of the Ensemble Dept at Berklee College of Music, Dr. Trineice has been a faculty member at Princeton University for over a decade, where she taught private voice lessons, directed the Jazz Vocal Collective Ensemble, and lectured on African American music and voice pedagogy. She also held an annual residency at Yale University’s Institute for Sacred Music, teaching in the Music in the Black Church Program. For more information visit www.drtrineice.com. |
2026–2027 Program Mentees
Emma Pawl is a professional singer and actress who specializes in musical theatre genres as well as classical and more contemporary genres like pop, rock, folk, singer-songwriter, jazz, R&B and more!
Emma is a Berklee College of Music graduate who majored in Vocal Performance with two minors in Musical Theatre Performance as well as Teaching the Contemporary Singer. Emma has been, and continues to be involved in numerous musical theatre productions, as well as performs in professional wedding bands, sings for church services, performs as a Disney princess for kids parties, acts in music videos, and more! Emma is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and is a private voice instructor who strives to cultivate an inclusive, individualized and enriching experience for all her students.
Emma is a Berklee College of Music graduate who majored in Vocal Performance with two minors in Musical Theatre Performance as well as Teaching the Contemporary Singer. Emma has been, and continues to be involved in numerous musical theatre productions, as well as performs in professional wedding bands, sings for church services, performs as a Disney princess for kids parties, acts in music videos, and more! Emma is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and is a private voice instructor who strives to cultivate an inclusive, individualized and enriching experience for all her students.
Larisa Bainton Hernandez is a voice, piano and guitar teacher with a full time private studio in Melrose, MA. Larisa received her B.M. in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music, a B.A. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from the University of Rochester, and an M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory. She has also completed certificate programs in accessible music education and musical theater pedagogy.
Outside of teaching, Larisa is also a freelance soprano, music director, and producer. Larisa has had recent singing engagements with the Boston Lyric Opera, Odyssey Opera, Boston Summer Opera, NEMPAC, and music directing engagements with The Greater Boston Stage Company. She has produced a variety of recitals and operas, and has been recognized for her work by the Boston Globe, OperaWire, and WBUR.
In her spare time Larisa enjoys gardening, pilates, and dog sports. She is delighted to be a mentee in the NATS Boston mentorship program!
Outside of teaching, Larisa is also a freelance soprano, music director, and producer. Larisa has had recent singing engagements with the Boston Lyric Opera, Odyssey Opera, Boston Summer Opera, NEMPAC, and music directing engagements with The Greater Boston Stage Company. She has produced a variety of recitals and operas, and has been recognized for her work by the Boston Globe, OperaWire, and WBUR.
In her spare time Larisa enjoys gardening, pilates, and dog sports. She is delighted to be a mentee in the NATS Boston mentorship program!
Katherine Foley, a graduate of Westminster Choir College, loves to make music as a teacher, as a singer, and as a conductor. As a teacher, she has taught high school students and adults in her private studio for over 20 years focusing on solid technique and musicianship.
As a singer, she has performed as a Soprano with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 2000. Katherine has also sung with the Orpheus singers, the Westminster Singers, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir, the choir of the New York Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony, and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. She enjoyed five years as the soprano soloist at Melrose Highlands Congregational church, and then became the Director of Music, from 2017-2022. Katherine is starting her fourth season as the Artistic Director of the Ipswich River Community Chorus. She has studied voice with Chic Walker, Gale Fuller, Brett Johnson, and Pam Dellal.
As a singer, she has performed as a Soprano with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 2000. Katherine has also sung with the Orpheus singers, the Westminster Singers, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir, the choir of the New York Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony, and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. She enjoyed five years as the soprano soloist at Melrose Highlands Congregational church, and then became the Director of Music, from 2017-2022. Katherine is starting her fourth season as the Artistic Director of the Ipswich River Community Chorus. She has studied voice with Chic Walker, Gale Fuller, Brett Johnson, and Pam Dellal.
Cassie Kollman is a Boston-based jazz singer-songwriter and teaching artist known for a jazz-rock sound blending technical precision with emotive storytelling, drawing on jazz, R&B, and blues through a modern improvisational lens.
Cassie has performed as a soloist and bandleader across the east coast and internationally, with ensemble credits including Sweet Honey in the Rock and the Afghanistan Freeharmonic Orchestra. She released her debut album, Lady in Shoes, in 2021, with her second record, Mixed Messages, arriving October 2026.
Cassie holds a Master of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Music from the Longy School of Music of Bard College and is certified in Somatic Voicework™ (Levels I & II). She serves on the Music faculty at Bunker Hill Community College, teaching Applied Voice, Songwriting, and History of Rock and Roll, as well as a "Creativity as Community Technology" course in the Humanities department.
Her background in psychology, linguistics, community mental health, and special education informs a student-centered, somatic, inquiry-based teaching style focused on improvisation and authentic vocal expression. Cassie is passionate about arts accessibility and music education.
Cassie has performed as a soloist and bandleader across the east coast and internationally, with ensemble credits including Sweet Honey in the Rock and the Afghanistan Freeharmonic Orchestra. She released her debut album, Lady in Shoes, in 2021, with her second record, Mixed Messages, arriving October 2026.
Cassie holds a Master of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Music from the Longy School of Music of Bard College and is certified in Somatic Voicework™ (Levels I & II). She serves on the Music faculty at Bunker Hill Community College, teaching Applied Voice, Songwriting, and History of Rock and Roll, as well as a "Creativity as Community Technology" course in the Humanities department.
Her background in psychology, linguistics, community mental health, and special education informs a student-centered, somatic, inquiry-based teaching style focused on improvisation and authentic vocal expression. Cassie is passionate about arts accessibility and music education.
Erin Hogan is a vocalist and musical shapeshifter whose voice moves effortlessly between early and sacred music, folk traditions, and cross-genre collaborations. A sought-after collaborator, she performs with Forsyth, a four-part harmony ensemble singing traditional American, English, and Irish music; The Adam Hendey Band; and as a staff singer at Trinity Church in the City of Boston. Her voice can be heard on recent releases by the University of Notre Dame Folk Choir and Adam Hendey, with upcoming releases by Forsyth and David McKindley-Ward. Alongside her collaborative work, Erin enjoys arranging traditional folk ballads and writing original music.
As an educator, she maintains a small private voice studio, teaches at Club Passim School of Music, and serves on the adjunct faculty at New England Conservatory. She is also the Department Chair of Contemporary Musical Arts for NEC Expanded Education, supporting multi-style/genre, community-centered music education.
As an educator, she maintains a small private voice studio, teaches at Club Passim School of Music, and serves on the adjunct faculty at New England Conservatory. She is also the Department Chair of Contemporary Musical Arts for NEC Expanded Education, supporting multi-style/genre, community-centered music education.
Summer Hayes is a creator specializing in vocal and dance performance, and private music instruction. She began her singing journey at age three, to later earn her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a vocal concentration at Louisiana State University.
Summer has also taken ballet classes since the age of eight, and taught dance at summer camps, with Zumba, and performed in Debbie Allen’s production of “Pepito’s Story” in 2014. At a young age, Summer found that Musical Theatre allowed her to use several of her gifts in the same setting, leading her to attend American Theatre Wing’s SpringboardNYC in 2019. During the program, Summer attended Broadway shows, master classes, and the Tony Awards.
Summer is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Vocal Pedagogy Musical Theatre as a graduate student at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She hopes to lead a life filled with artistic expression, bringing colorful experiences to the world as an educator and performing artist.
Summer has also taken ballet classes since the age of eight, and taught dance at summer camps, with Zumba, and performed in Debbie Allen’s production of “Pepito’s Story” in 2014. At a young age, Summer found that Musical Theatre allowed her to use several of her gifts in the same setting, leading her to attend American Theatre Wing’s SpringboardNYC in 2019. During the program, Summer attended Broadway shows, master classes, and the Tony Awards.
Summer is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Vocal Pedagogy Musical Theatre as a graduate student at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She hopes to lead a life filled with artistic expression, bringing colorful experiences to the world as an educator and performing artist.
Ryan Van Fleet is a Boston-based baritone, voice teacher, and music educator. He holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Boston University and recently graduated with a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where he studied classical and musical theatre cross-training to help singers use their instruments with greater flexibility, efficiency and artistic freedom across genres.
Ryan currently teaches private voice at the Brooks School, Canton High School as well as various music schools throughout Greater Boston. An avid choral musician, he currently serves as a Choral Fellow for the First Baptist Church of Medford. He frequently appears as a soloist in oratorio and choral works including Duruflé’s Requiem, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ and as a contemporary vocalist at the Tanglewood Music Center in the premiere of a new work.
Ryan loves blending science-based pedagogy with creative, playful exercises to help students find freedom, balance, and confidence in their singing.
Ryan currently teaches private voice at the Brooks School, Canton High School as well as various music schools throughout Greater Boston. An avid choral musician, he currently serves as a Choral Fellow for the First Baptist Church of Medford. He frequently appears as a soloist in oratorio and choral works including Duruflé’s Requiem, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ and as a contemporary vocalist at the Tanglewood Music Center in the premiere of a new work.
Ryan loves blending science-based pedagogy with creative, playful exercises to help students find freedom, balance, and confidence in their singing.
Described as a "scene-stealer...her coloratura was clean, her characterization sharp, and she never once dropped focus" (OperaWire), Cailin Smith, soprano (she/her) dares to lean into the uncomfortable, use music as a mode of advocacy, and educate young audiences. Recent highlights include Miranda (cover), The Onion(MassOpera); Oberto, Alcina (MassOpera); Angels of the House (album recording), Morana, The Haunted Palace, and Grackle, The Raven (TedandTogo Productions); First Spirit, The Magic Flute: Retold (MassOpera).
Cailin is a co-founder and Artistic Director of Voice of Iris, a company committed to staging vocal works for treble voices. She is also a dedicated vocal pedagogue and librettist of art song and opera.
Cailin is a co-founder and Artistic Director of Voice of Iris, a company committed to staging vocal works for treble voices. She is also a dedicated vocal pedagogue and librettist of art song and opera.
