Musical Theatre Festival
Historically held in Winter, this festival is organized in a master class format featuring music from the Musical Theatre genre. Students experience performances of similar levels and a master teacher works with each student individually. Students may opt to enter competitively for Winner and Honorable Mention placements per grade division.
Open to students studying voice.
Event Details
Event Date | November 13-15, 2026
Registration Deadline | October 30, 2026
Location | WA State School for the Blind
Register students online. You will receive an invoice to your email after registration closes. You can pay the invoice online, or mail a check made payable to MTACC to the Festival Chair within one week with registration fees. Print Adjudication Sheets for each student.
Meet the Visiting Artists
Our Visiting Artists are highly trained, vetted, and passionate about community music education. They love what they do and do what they love!
Music and storytelling have been at the heart of Kristin Van Sickle's life for as long as she can remember. As a vocal coach, educator, director, performer, and producer, she has spent more than twenty years working professionally in the arts. Kristin believes that every singer has something valuable to say. Her goal as a teacher is not simply to help students sing better, but to help them become confident, expressive performers who can connect authentically with their audience. Whether a student is preparing for their first audition, landing a leading role, pursuing a college theatre program, or simply singing for the joy of it, Kristin creates a supportive environment where growth, curiosity, and creativity can thrive. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy and spent more than a decade as a Vocal Music Teacher, Musical Theatre Director, and Production Coordinator at Northwest Academy before transitioning to focus on her private studio. There, she combines healthy vocal technique, musicianship, body awareness, and storytelling to help each student discover their authentic voice and grow in confidence both on and off the stage. Her students have been accepted to some of the most respected music and musical theatre programs in the country, including New York University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, Manhattan School of Music, Pace University, Chapman University, Roosevelt University, Columbia College Chicago, Cornish College of the Arts, and many others. Since moving to Portland in 2013, Kristin has become an active member of the local theatre community. Favorite directing and music directing credits include The Kiss (Music Director and Vocal Arranger), Matilda the Musical (Director), Mary Poppins (Music Director), Shrek the Musical (Music Director), and Youth Cast Director and Conductor for Portland's Singing Christmas Tree. As a performer, favorite roles include Lizzie Borden in Lizzie: The Musical, Woman 3 in Wine, Women and Song, and Woman 1 in Songs for a New World, which she also produced and directed. Kristin currently serves on the Board of Directors for Portland Center Stage and will join Artists Repertory Theatre as Production Manager for their 2026–2027 Season. She is passionate about supporting arts education and strengthening the performing arts community throughout the Portland region. When she's not working, you'll likely find her reading, watching reality tv, spending time with her family and two cats, hiking, or taking trips to the coast.
Festival Chair
Have questions about the Musical Theatre Festival? We have answers!
Festival Guidlines
Festival Guidelines
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Festival hours are Saturday 9am-5pm
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Teachers registering three or more students will be expected to assist with monitoring sessions
Registration Guidelines
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All registrations to be submitted online
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Please input your student's full name properly and correctly, as participation certificates will be printed using this information
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Please input all repertoire information, including catalog number and key
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This Festival is organized in a master class format and is non-competitive
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Invoices will be emailed after registration closes, to be paid online
Student Divisions
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Please adhere to the following performance times:
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Children (Grades K-3) | $20, 8 min (max 3 min performance time)
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Lower Youth (Grades 4-5) | $25, 10 min (max 4 min performance time)
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Upper Youth (Grades 6-8) | $25, 12 min (max 5 min performance time)
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Lower High (Grades 9-10) | $30, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Upper High (Grades 11-12) | $30, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Lower Collegiate (Ages 18-22) | $30, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Upper Collegiate (Ages 23-25) | $30, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Lower Recreational Adult (Ages 26-49) | $30, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Upper Recreational Adult (Ages 50+) | $30, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Professional Adult (ages 25+) | $30, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Ensembles (2+ musicians) | $40, 15 min (max 6 min performance time)
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Students may perform one piece only
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An additional 5 minutes may be purchased for $8
Student Eligibility
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Student must have studied with a current MTACC teacher for a minimum of 6 months
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If the student studies with more than one teacher, both teachers' names must be entered on the registration form
Teacher Eligibility
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Teacher must be an MTACC member in good standing OR pay the non-member rate of $65 plus student fees
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Teacher must be available to monitor for at least one session during the Festival
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The Festival is run in a master class format. The Visiting Artist will work with each student immediately following their performance
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The Visiting Artist will award each group with a 1st Place Winner (trophy), 2nd Place (medal), and Honorable Mention (ribbon). The total number of awarded participants is at the judge's discretion
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All participants will receive a certificate at the end of their session
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Non-piano participants must provide his/her own accompanist
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Please respect everyone's privacy. No recordings (audio, video, or photography) will be permitted during the Festival
Results
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The Visiting Artist's decisions are final and he/she is not to discuss the results with anyone
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Teachers are not allowed to ask the judge on the final results
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The Visiting Artist will notify the Festival Chair with the award results at the end of the Festival
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If teacher, student, or parent contact the judge regarding the final results, the participant will be disqualified
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The Festival Chair will notify the teachers of results via email by Wednesday after the Festival. Teachers must make arrangements to pick up the awards from the Festival Chair within two weeks after the Festival