Craig D. Collins
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Craig D. Collins A High Point native, Craig’s career as a professional singer in opera, oratorio, concert, and musical theater spans 32 years, sixteen of which were spent in New York City, and includes performances throughout the eastern seaboard, Texas, Iowa, Colorado, and Pennsylvania in such venues as Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Cami Hall and Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, Symphony Hall in Boston, and the old Fair Park Symphony Hall in Dallas. While in New York, he studied with numerous musical and dramatic coaches from the Metropolitan, New York City and La Scala Opera companies. Among his voice teachers was the renowned Metropolitan Opera tenor, Franco Corelli. He also was an apprentice with the prestigious Aspen Summer Festival and Des Moines Metro Opera Company, where he had the opportunity to study and perform with many notables from the world of opera. Among the singers he has appeared on stage with during his career are Rene Fleming, Donnie Rae Albert, Juan Pons, Alfredo Kraus, Giuseppe Giacomini, Cynthia Munzer. Among his leading roles in opera have been Tamino in The Magic Flute, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Werther in Werther, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana, and Don Alvaro in La Forza del Destino. He has over 20 oratorios to his credit as tenor soloist singing oratorios ranging from Bach to Britten with Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem his most frequently performed works. In concert and recital he has been a frequent performer, and has performed a number of benefit recitals and organized collaborative concerts with other singers to raise money for churches and charities. Craig has worked as a private voice teacher for ten years and studied pedagogy with noted pedagogue the late Berton Coffin. He has also served as a public school choral and general music instructor; as a Director of Music in churches in NC, GA and TX directing adult, youth, children’s and handbell choirs; and as a director of a community choral group. Currently, Craig is the Adult Choir Director at Parkway United Church of Christ and a paid soloist/section leader at Centenary United Methodist Church, both in Winston-Salem. Craig holds a Masters of Sacred Music Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music and Music Education from Pfeiffer University. Craig tailors his teaching to fit the needs and wants of each student, but teaches what he believes to be the healthiest, most flexible technique, particularly for young developing singers that will keep their voices healthy, youthful and vibrant. He stresses the basic fundamentals of proper breath coordination and support, posture, and a sense of freedom and release in singing. His students gain both a wider vocal and dynamic range, and sing with greater freedom, flexibility and confidence. .