Code of Ethics of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. This Code of Ethics is established by the National Association of Teachers of Singing to the end that its members may understand more clearly their duties and obligations, exemplifying them to other teachers, to their students and to the public, in order that vocal art may be advanced, that the dignity and honor of the profession may be upheld, its standards maintained and its usefulness extended. Adherence to this Code will promote cooperation, understanding and good fellowship among its members. It is the duty of all teachers, and is especially incumbent upon members of this Association, to be governed by the principles underlying this Code, specifically;
We as Members believe that:
1. It is unprofessional and unethical for teachers to make any false claims regarding themselves or their pupils.
2. It is unethical and unprofessional for teachers, by misleading statements or false promises, to induce a student to study singing in the hope of a career, if the student’s talent does not warrant it.
3. It is unethical to advertise in a manner that may deceive or mislead prospective students by promises of professional appearances or guarantees of favorable contacts.
4. While it is admissible that free tuition may be given by teachers, the advertising of free scholarships and free tuition constitutes unfair competition with teachers who do not endeavor to increase a class by such methods.
5. Teachers may accept any student for the purpose of cultural development of the singing or speaking voice, and may encourage study for those who need or desire breath control, poise, diction and projection of the voice.
6. To insure impartial diagnosis and honest opinion in voice trials, the student should be requested not to disclose the names of present and former teachers until after the audition.
7. It is unethical to criticize adversely the work of fellow teachers, unless such statements can be substantiated with proof.
8. It is unethical, either by inducements, innuendos, insinuations, or other acts, to proselytize pupils of other teachers.
9. It is unethical to exploit as one’s own the results of another teacher’s instruction or to allow one’s pupils to do so. Further, it is unethical to claim as a pupil one having studied less than eight consecutive months with the teacher making the claim, except where there has been no previous voice training.
10. It is unethical for a member to make a contract with a pupil demanding more than the actual price of lessons, with or without interest as mutually agreed upon. No contract shall be made on the basis of a percentage of the student’s future potential earnings, nor shall teachers accept any fee for aid in securing an engagement for a pupil.
11. For mutual benefit, and at the discretion of members, names of pupils who have left a member and failed to meet their instruction fees, should be reported to the Association which shall maintain a list available for consultation by members. If a member learns from any other source that an applicant for lessons has not fulfilled a financial obligation to another member, it is unethical to accept the pupil until these obligations have been satisfactorily adjusted.
12. It is unethical for teachers to offer less than the best instruction of which they are capable to students under their tutelage. The moral and financial obligation of teachers is to give students the instruction, the attention and the full amount of time agreed upon.
