Robert Harrelson

Originally from Boiling Springs, North Carolina, bass-baritone Robert Harrelson graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a double major in biology and history. Two years later, while employed at the University of Virginia, he auditioned to be a volunteer chorister for the Ashlawn-Highland summer opera festival and was offered named roles. Since childhood he had dreamt of being a professional vocalist, and the early success at Ashlawn-Highland propelled Robert to study vocal performance at Indiana University with famed basses Giorgio Tozzi and Roy Samuelsen. Due to family obligations, he departed Indiana and put a solo career on hold to accept a position with the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C. During his 20-year Air Force career, he performed for U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barak Obama, as well as numerous U.S. and international political, diplomatic, and military leaders. By the time of his retirement, Robert was administratively in charge of the Singing Sergeants. His hundreds of performances across the U.S. have been seen and heard by millions around the world in person, on television, and via the Internet. Additionally, he has proudly honored America by singing our National Anthem for dozens of NFL, NBA, and MLB games as well as other sporting, community, and patriotic events. Favorite opera roles performed include Escamillo, Rocco, and Il Commendatore.