| Jeffrey Powell[Back to list]
Performing Arts
Adjunct Instructor - University Accompanist
(M.M. The University of Kansas, 1982; B.M. Western Michigan University, Magna cum laude, 1980). Maestro Powell's conducting career got its start in Kansas City in the Fall
of 1982, when he stepped in on short notice to conduct The Barber of Seville for The
Lyric Opera of Kansas City. From that early success he procured a dual post as
Assistant Conductor for both The Lyric and The Kansas City Symphony, which he held
until 1989. He left Kansas City to serve as Assistant Conductor for San Francisco
Opera's Western Opera Theater, winning the Metzgar Family Award for excellence in
vocal coaching. While in San Francisco, he met impresario David DiChiera, who
brought him to the Dayton Opera in 1991 to serve as resident conductor, chorusmaster
and music director for the Artists-in-Residence, a post which he has held ever since.
Known throughout the region as vocal coach, conductor, and pianist, Maestro Powell
has served many arts organizations. Among them are the Augusta Barn Theater (1980)
and Bay View Music Festival (1986-88) in Michigan, Des Moines Metro Opera (1985),
The Ohio Light Opera (1998) The Cincinnati Opera (1996), The Human Race Theater
Company (1999), The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (1991-95), The Dayton
Philharmonic Chorus (1994-96). Maestro Powell's repertoire includes La fille du
Régiment, Madama Butterfly, Cosi fan tutte, The Mother of Us All, The Merry Widow,
and Don Pasquale; for the theater he has conducted Wiener Blut, Man of La Mancha,
The Threepenny Opera, Candide, and The Tragedy of Carmen. World premieres to his
credit include Requiem (Christopher Lacy, Kansas City, 1989); Paul Laurence Dunbar:
Common Ground (Adolphus Hailstork, Dayton Opera, 1996, 2006); and the North
American premiere of Thomas Stanghelle's Some Sunny Night (Middfest International,
2007). Mr. Powell has served as vocal coach, accompanist and music theory professor
at Wilberforce University. Mr. Powell has also conducted opera and music theater
production at Wright State University, including Annie, Get Your Gun, Iolanthe, The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hello, Dolly!, and Gypsy. For Tecumseh High
School, he has led the pit orchestra in 110 in the Shade and The Boy Friend. Maestro
Powell has served as an adjudicator for Columbus Opera and the Dayton Opera and
given vocal master classes at the University of Dayton Department of Music and the
Vocal Performance Institute. Mr. Powell has also served as music director for St. Paulʼs
Episcopal Church and St. Johnʼs Lutheran Church.
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