Brian Leeper, baritone, is the Vocal Area Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he has taught Studio Voice, Vocal Pedagogy and Opera Workshop since 2004. An active soloist and clinician, he has presented numerous masterclasses and recitals across the US. Brian has been on the voice faculty of La Musica Lirica, a five-week summer opera program in Novafeltria, Italy, and prior to that was on the voice faculty of Operafestival di Roma. Having performed over twenty major roles with opera companies in the US and abroad, including a national radio broadcast performance of Candide with the Cleveland Orchestra, Brian has also appeared as soloist in Oratorio with conductors Robert Shaw, Leon Botstein. Upcoming performances in Spring 2011 include the role of Elijah in Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Twin Lakes Choral Society, Bass Soloist in Haydn’s Creation with the Wisconsin Chamber Choir and the title role in Donizetti‘s Don Pasquale with Candid Concert Opera. Mr. Leeper has been on the Wisconsin Chapter NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Executive Board for the past five years and currently serves as Vice-President of the organization. Former voice students have won awards and competitions including district Metropolitan Opera Auditions, NATS Student Auditions and are currently singing in opera houses in the US and Europe. Brian holds degrees from Luther College and The University of Nebraska and has done further graduate study in music at The Florida State University and The Julliard School and the Blossom Festival School.