Craig Hart embodies that rare combination of a performer and a teacher with a dedication to mentoring young singers. Even with a busy and successful career as an operatic bass that has spanned the globe from Palm Springs, California, to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, he has always made time to coach other operatic hopefuls.
Craig Hart made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2002 in the role of the Second Madman in Prokofiev's War and Peace. After auditioning for Stephen Schwartz he was chosen to create the role of Inspector Watts in the Santa Barbara Opera 2010 World premier of Séance on a Wet Afternoon, Schwartz's first opera. Currently, he is preparing one of the most challenging and important roles in the bass repertory: the title role of Boris Godunov, which he will sing with the Utah Festival Opera in the summer of 2011.
Mr. Hart's career is clear evidence of his range and versatility. He has mastered over 40 roles in both comic and dramatic opera, including Mephistopheles, Don Giovanni, Sparafucile, Gianni Schicchi and Sarastro. In addition to the Metropolitan Opera of New York City, he has performed with such companies as L'Opera de Montreal, Palm Beach Opera, Portland Opera, Connecticut Opera, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Sarasota Opera. A personal highlight of his career is the part of Jesus Christ in I Am the Way composed by Jerome Hines. He was specifically chosen as Mr. Hines's successor in this role.
Engendering a love of music in children and enhancing the singing abilities of young performers are at the center of Craig Hart's professional life. A native of Connecticut where he lives with his family, Mr. Hart has consistently managed to devote time to mentoring young singers. From 2003 to 2010, he served as Adjunct Voice Instructor at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, and at Central Connecticut State University. He was also a Voice Instructor at the Masterworks Music Festival in Winona Lake, Indiana, in 2003-2004, and a Guest Voice Instructor at the Intermezzo Young Artist Program at the University of Hartford in 2003-2004. In addition, from 2008 to 2009, he juggled his career and the position of Director of Fine Arts at The Master's School in West Simsbury, Connecticut.
I believe that as a teacher it is necessary to first preserve a student’s love and passion for music. I encourage first time students by letting them choose music that interests them while also introducing them to new music that may stimulate their interest while being vocally appropriate for their development and level. I believe that caring for the individual as a person first is foundational to being an educator. A teacher needs to earn the student’s trust to be able to make a long lasting difference.