Wayne Pope is an experienced stage, concert and recital artist who has shared his “rich, clear baritone voice” throughout the US, Israel and Europe. He created the title role in The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp by noted film, television and classical composer JAC Redford with a European premiere in Rome, Italy at the historic La Chiesa Nuova. He has appeared with many symphonies locally and nationally. His performance of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols with the South Arkansas Symphony, under the baton of Kermit Polling, was featured on National Public Radio’s Performance Today with Martin Goldsmith. Operatic engagements include Columbia Lyric Opera, The Colorado Music Festival and Nashville Opera as well as guest artist performances at various universities. He began playing and singing professionally at a young age and has performed in groups ranging from jazz to country, rock to pop, musical theater to classical. In 2017 he combined his talents of classical/musical theatre/jazz for Missouri’s Mineral Area Arts Council in a performance entitled From Bach to Basie: A Singin’ Affair!

Wayne is Professor of Voice and Voice Area Coordinator at Western Kentucky University where, for over 20 years, he has served as Music Director in the annual MainStage collaboration with the Department of Theatre and Dance. He has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and has been Governor of the Kentucky Chapter and the Mid-South Region Chapter of NATS. His students have been successful in national competitions and are frequently engaged in professional opera, choirs, Broadway touring companies, Broadway theatres, major theme parks and professional theatre.