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THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SINGING CODE OF ETHICS


This Code of Ethics is established by NATS in order that its members may understand more clearly their ethical duties and obligations to their students, other teachers, and the general public, as well as to promote cooperation and good fellowship among the members.

I.     Personal Ethical Standards
  1. Members will strive to teach with competence through study of voice pedagogy, musicianship, and performance skills.
  2. Members will present themselves honestly, in a dignified manner, and with documented qualifications: academic degrees, professional experience, or a combination of both.
  3. Members will faithfully support the Association and are encouraged to participate in its activities.
II.    Ethical Standards Relating to Students
  1. Members will respect the personal integrity and privacy of students unless the legal or academic system requires disclosure.
  2. Members will treat each student in a dignified and impartial manner.
  3. Members will clearly communicate all expectations of their studios including financial arrangements.
  4. Members will respect the student’s right to obtain instruction from the teacher of his/her choice.
  5. Members will offer their best voice and music instruction and career advice to all students under their instruction. They will complete the full number of lessons and amount of time paid for by each student in accordance with studio policies.
  6. Members will not make false or misleading statements regarding a student’s hopes for a career or guarantees of performances or favorable contracts.
III.   Ethical Standards Relating to Colleagues
  1. Members will refrain from making false claims regarding themselves or their students and from making false or malicious statements about colleagues or their students.
  2. Members will not, either by inducements, innuendoes, or other acts, proselytize students of other teachers.
  3. Members will render honest and impartial adjudication at NATS auditions and/or NATS competitions and students will not be requested to disclose names of present or former teachers until after the event.
  4. Members will disclose at NATS events the name of a student’s previous voice teacher if the student has studied with the current teacher for less than eight months.
  5. When a member’s expertise warrants collaboration, members will work collegially with other professionals (i.e., voice therapists, speech pathologists, and medical practitioners).
  6. Rules and regulations of any accredited academic institution take precedence over the NATS Code of Ethics, should there be a conflict.