LSU welcomes internationally-renowned tenor and university alumnus Paul Groves to begin his tenure as the School of Music’s new artist-in-residence this semester.
A former Juilliard School student, as well as a graduate of the Metropolitan Opera House’s prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Groves has performed in distinguished opera houses and concert halls around the world. He has performed with operatic legends such as Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, Susan Graham, and
Bryn Terfel.
As artist-in-residence, Groves will teach students in the School of Music, as well as give a yearly public master class in voice and an annual public recital. This semester, Groves will be held his master class the week of March 11 and will have his recital
tentatively on April 16.
Dean of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts Todd Queen said he is happy to have a former student with such an international reputation come back as the school’s artist-in-residence. Queen is also looking forward to having Groves work
with students.
“It’s one thing to teach students the discipline of opera,” Queen said. “It’s another thing to have somebody come in who has sung all over the world and say, ‘This is how this works and this is how you do this, and this is what you don’t want to do.’ Having that sort of hands-on experience is so invaluable to our students.”
Groves said he is excited to return as a part of the LSU community. To him, the university has provided an invaluable education as well as numerous opportunities that have attributed to his success and artistry. In particular, Groves points to his former mentor and Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick Professor of Voice Robert Grayson as a crucial part of LSU’s music program.
“My basic training and my experience at LSU really prepared me for my career,” Groves said. “It wasn’t really necessary that I do anything else afterwards. The mentorship, especially of Robert Grayson, had a large impact on my life.”
Grayson, who is currently in his 31st and final year as the School of Music’s Professor of Voice, said he sees Groves’ appointment as a “handing of the baton.” A former artist-in-residence of the university himself, he is excited to have one of his former students return as a significant member of the LSU community.
“He has an innate sense of musicality that is all the refinements of vocal style and singing,” Grayson said. “This was something that he cultivated much of while he was here. It’s great to think that he’s been out there and he still thinks that the ideas that he learned at LSU are the right ones.”
Groves has been closely involved with the university following his graduation and success. He has continued to hold performances at the university since graduation, and in 2002 the Paul Groves Voice Scholarship of the School of Music was started in honor of his successes.
Grayson said he has high hopes for Groves and what he will bring to LSU’s music program. He said he is very proud of the School of Music, and looks forward to what it will be able to produce in the future with Groves in tow.
“I think the quality of what we do here is really, really high, and that’s very gratifying,” Grayson said. “Within my own area of voice and opera, I think the kind of collegiality that we’ve been able to cultivate is very fine and is not the standard in other schools of music around the country.”