Lawrence University Masterclass

John T Gates, a member of the Lawrence voice faculty since 2005, was a bass soloist in German opera houses and concert halls (Mönchengladbach, Saarbrücken, Kiel, Wuppertal, and others) where he sang some 1000 performances over a period of thirteen years.   His wide-ranging opera repertoire covers eighty roles and includes standard works (Sarastro in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte), early music (Ariodates in Händel´s Serse), and numerous world premiers (Oscar laureate Cong Su's Wenn die Sonne aufgeht).   His concert and song repertoire includes Verdi's Requiem, J. S. Bach's St. John's Passion, and Schubert's Winterreise.

Gates holds the degrees Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music from the University of South Carolina.   He earned his Doctor of Music from Florida State University.   His academic work dealt with communication in modern opera and Romantic dualism in Schumann's song literature. 

Prior to his appointment at Lawrence Conservatory, Gates taught voice and directed opera at Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas) and at the University of Miami (Florida).  He is a past president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

In addition to studio voice, Gates teaches German Lyric Diction and Introduction to Vocal Studies (an orientation class for freshman singers).