Mark Craig

Education Director

Phone: 434.528.3397
Email: info@operaonthejames.org

Tenor Mark Craig hails from Michigan. He is a Professor of Voice at the University of Lynchburg and also teaches courses in Diction, Pedagogy and Opera Workshop. In recent years, he has served as the Education Director for Lynchburg’s own Opera on the James, working with the Tyler Young Artists and directing their Family Operas. He also sang in their mainstage production of Carmen in 2015.

Before his move to Virginia two years ago, Mark called Chicago home for over 10 years where he taught Voice and Piano in addition to performing with various local companies like the Chicago Opera Playhouse, Chicago Opera Theatre, Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra, New Millennium Orchestra and more. He also travelled often to perform with other regional companies such as the Michigan Opera Theatre, the Motor City Lyric Opera, Florentine Opera, etc. In addition to performing, Mark’s passion for igniting enthusiasm for music among youth led him to work with Opera for the Young in Madison, WI for 7 years where he toured to schools throughout the midwest performing opera with children. Some of his favorite roles include The Witch in Hansel & Gretel, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Nemorino in The Elixer of Love, Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, and the title role in Albert Herring, among others. He has also re-written the Libretto to various operas for children.

Mr. Craig continues to perform throughout the country in concerts, oratorio and cabaret. Other credits in recent years include appearances with the Sarasota Opera, Anchorage Opera, Janiec Opera Company, Natchez Festival of Music and more. Upcoming performances in Lynchburg include a Concert of Classic Musical Theatre repertoire, the Messiah with the Lynchburg Choral Union, Bernstein songs with the University of Lynchburg Wind Symphony, and more. He directed and produced Opera on the James’ performances of Sweet Betsy from Pike as part of their Central Virginia Opera Festival in 2018. In this season he will direct The Bremen Town Musicians as part of our outreach program.

Mr. Craig graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance and a Master’s in Vocal Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music.