Richard Harrell

Richard Harrell has served in the performing arts for more than 30 years as a teacher, stage director, and performer. His experience includes artistic direction, production, and the training of young artists, culminating in employment as senior staff by various internationally renowned organizations.

As the Founding Director of Heroes’ Voices, a non-profit service organization for veterans, Richard currently produces therapeutic music and poetry workshops for veterans with PTSD and other challenges. He is the Associate Director of the Orfeo Foundation, an international organization based in Amsterdam which supports the careers of young opera singers.

Richard Harrell has served as the Director of the Juilliard Opera Center, the Director of the San Francisco Opera Center, Artistic Advisor and Head of Faculty for the Opera Training Program of the New National Theatre in Tokyo, Director of the Opera Program for the San Francisco Conservatory, Artistic Consultant and Principal Stage Director for the Bangkok Opera, and senior faculty for the Opera Studio of the Netherlands. He was a professor of music at the University of Richmond, City College of San Francisco, and a teacher at San Francisco State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

As a stage director, Richard has produced more than 60 operas for companies in Europe, Asia, and North America, and has been a stage director, voice teacher,
and guest master class instructor at universities and training programs including Yale, Indiana University, Polish National Opera Studio, Chautauqua Institution, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Opera Festival di Roma, Loyola University, and the University of Florida.

Mr. Harrell performed as a baritone soloist with such companies as La Scala, Vienna State Opera, Washington National Opera, Baltimore Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Skylight Opera Theatre, Lincoln Center Theatre Company, New Jersey Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and National Symphony. He performed the role of Bernardo on the Deutsche Grammophon recording of WEST SIDE STORY and is featured on the recording of Leonard Bernstein’s last opera, A QUIET PLACE.

A frequent judge for vocal competitions, he annually adjudicates for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He was a founding member of the Singer’s Services Committee for Opera America and his essays on artist training and the business of opera have been published in Opera America publications.