GREENVILLE, S.C. (July 1, 2021) – Megan Stapleton will join the Bob Jones University faculty this fall as an assistant professor in the Vocal Studies Department of the Division of Music, School of Fine Arts and Communication. She will teach applied voice as well as courses in voice literature, vocal pedagogy, and music for the stage.
“I am so excited for the students in our vocal studies programs,” said Dr. Michael Moore, Division of Music chair. “Dr. Stapleton’s deep commitment to serving God and others through her craft, her dynamic pedagogical skills, and her experience as a performer who understands the business from the inside out make her an excellent addition to our music community here.”
Stapleton holds degrees with honors from The University of North Texas (Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance with a related field in Vocal Pedagogy), New England Conservatory (Master of Music in Vocal Performance), and Sam Houston State University (Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance). While working on her DMA, she taught applied voice lessons and voice methods classes at UNT and was a protege of Dr. Stephen F. Austin. She most recently served as a Teaching Artist in Residence at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
“I am thrilled to welcome Megan to our already strong BJU team,” said Dr. David Parker, Head of the Department of Vocal Studies. “She has a tremendous ability to assess the needs of students and draws on a strong pedagogical foundation to meet those needs. And she is a powerful performer with a terrific voice and a gracious, godly spirit.”
Stapleton’s professional career began in New England, where she sang with The Boston Early Music Festival, Boston Opera Collaborative, SoHIP, and Boston Metro Opera. Her career as an early music specialist continued with performances as a featured soloist with Ars Lyrica, Mercury Chamber Orchestra, Houston’s Bach Society, and other Texas-based baroque chamber ensembles.
She is the primary vocalist and executive director of Houston Baroque, with whom she released the album “My Soul Sees and Hears” in 2016. Stapleton has also performed extensively in Houston Grand Opera’s educational programming, including Opera To Go!, Storybook Opera, and First Songs.
Regarded for her comedic timing and “lyrical physicality” (BroadwayWorld.com), she has performed three leading roles with Houston’s G&S Society, and the Galveston Symphony Orchestra has welcomed her as their soloist on multiple occasions. She has also premiered contemporary works by composers such as Thomas Oboe Lee, B.P. Herrington, M.C. Warwick, and Gregory Spears.
“Since early youth, my heart’s prayer has been to serve the Lord through music,” Stapleton said. “I envisioned glorifying God not only as a performing artist on stage, but also as a teacher and mentor of singers at the university level. To serve at a university like BJU is not only a lifelong dream realized; it is also a long-held prayer answered. I am excited!”
