Chris Sheppard, Tenor/Stage Director

Dr. Chris Sheppard recently began as Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Montana State University-Billings in August 2005, directing the Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. Before arriving in Billings, Sheppard taught at Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia. Serving as Director of Choral Activities there also, he directed the Bluefield Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Masterworks Chorale, and formed the Women’s Chorus. During his four-year tenure, participation in the choirs tripled, and the number of voice majors doubled. He led the Chamber Choir on tours to Florida, North and South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia, as well as throughout Virginia. As a result of his achievements and close work with students, Sheppard has been honored in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” each year since 2002. Sheppard has also taught at Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado, and has maintained a private voice studio for the last twelve years.

After receiving the only available graduate choral assistantship at the University of Wisconsin in 2002, Sheppard studied with Beverly Taylor and conducted the University Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Master Singers, and Choral Union. While studying in Madison, Sheppard also directed the acclaimed Madison Chamber Choir.

Dr. Sheppard also holds an MM in choral conducting from the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied with Howard Skinner and Galen Darrough; and a BFA in vocal performance from Marshall University, where he worked under choral director David Castleberry.

A proficient baritone soloist, Dr. Sheppard is active both on the stage and in recital. Having participated in the Brevard Summer Opera Workshop, he has sung several operatic roles and performed often as a soloist in oratorios and other large-scale choral works. Sheppard has worked with vocal instructors Ilona Kombrink, Jeffrey Price, Thomas Poole, and Paul Balshaw, among others.

Sheppard was Choir Director for the 2001 World Scholar-Athlete Games in Kingston, Rhode Island, in which over two thousand 15-19 year-olds from over 150 countries participated. He has also directed All-County Chorus festivals in Virginia and West Virginia, and often adjudicates both solo and choral competitions.