James Myers

Style: Opera; Classical; Musical Theatre

Bio:

www.jamesmyers.com James Myers is an accomplished singer, actor and voice teacher. As a professional operatic baritone, James has sung with Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap Opera, Washington Concert Opera and internationally with the Mittelsaechsisches Theater (Middle Saxony Opera Theater) in Frieberg, Germany. He most recently sang the role of Abimelech in Commonwealth Concert Opera's production of Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saens. Prior to that, James sang the role of Count di Luna in Verdi's Il Trovatore with Commonwealth Concert Opera after having made his debut with the same opera company singing the role of Guglielmo in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte. He has also sings regularly with Bel Cantanti Opera Company. On the concert stage, James has sung as a soloist with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and with the professional choral group known as Choralis where he most recently sang the baritone solos from the Brahms Requiem. James sang in the world premiere of the new opera, "Grounded" with Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center by Tony award winning composer, Jeanine Tesori. James is a true helden baritone who also sings select roles from the Bass-baritone repertoire. He has recently begun preparing roles such as Wotan in Wagner's Die Walkure and Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca. His operatic singing encompasses a wide variety of roles ranging from the title roles in Mozart's Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro to more dramatic Verdi baritone repertoire like the role of Iago in Otello and the title role of Macbeth. His concert and oratorio repertoire as a soloist include the Brahms Requiem, the Faure Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Mozart's Requiem, Haydn's Seven Last Words of Christ and Handel's Messiah. Other roles in James' operatic repertoire include: Gerard in Andrea Chenier, Escamillo in Carmen, Frank Marraunt in Street Scene by Kurt Weill, Basilio in The Barber of Seville, The Duke of Nottingham in Roberto Devereux by Donizetti, Ricardo in I Puritani by Bellini, Mephistopheles in Faust, Wolfram in Tannhauser, Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Sam in Trouble in Tahiti, Bob in The Old Maid and the Thief and many others.

As a musical theatre actor, James has excelled at performing the classically composed dramatic and romantic musical theatre roles. His wide ranging voice feels comfortable singing roles as high as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and as low as the title role in Sweeney Todd. James has excelled pefrorming many great musical theatre parts including: Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, Javert in Les Miserables, Fred Graham in Kiss Me Kate, Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Lancelot in Camelot, Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music and many others. Past musical theatre performances for James include his portrayal of the Beast and Prince in Beauty and the Beast, the lead role of Tommy Albright in Brigadoon and South Carolina Senator, Edward Rutledge in the musical, 1776.

As a voice teacher, James has maintained an active voice studio for many years. He has served on the faculty at George Mason University’s Mason Community Arts Academy and as adjunct faculty to the voice department of the school of music at George Mason University. His students have gone on to achieve great success performing professionally and gaining admittance and scholarship awards at top universities, conservatories and graduate programs. He is a full member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) as well as the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) which has reciprocity with Actors Equity Association. He is also currently eligible to join Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

In addition to working with accomplished professional singers and actors, James is thrilled to teach complete beginners as well as all skill levels and voice types. As a voice teacher, James takes great pride in treating every singer with the utmost respect and he tailors the lessons to fit each singers' unique needs. He and his students do work hard but James also strives to make the process supportive and enjoyable.

Voice Type: Baritone

Music Styles Taught: Opera; Classical; Musical Theatre

Availability: I am available as a performer; I am currently accepting private students; I offer lessons in a group environment; I am available as a clinician or presenter; I accept students through a college or university program

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