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. During his 20-year career as a member of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, he performed for four U.S. presidents as well as numerous U.S. and international political, diplomatic, and military leaders. 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. During his career, Robert has shared stages with such varied talents as Trace Adkins, Tyne Daly, Gloria Estefan, Renée Fleming, Patti LaBelle, Darlene Love (on “Late Night with David Letterman”), Sylvia McNair, Lionel Richie, Ruben Stoddard, Ronan Tynan, Carrie Underwood, and Frederica von Stade. Conductors with whom he has worked include Michael Barrett, John Douglas, Jack Everly, Lucas Foss, Erin Freeman, Eric Kunzel, Robert Lamb, J. Riley Lewis, David Long, Eric Whitacre, and Mack Wilberg. Recent opera roles performed include Rocco, Il Commendatore, and the Physician (Opera Carolina’s Macbeth). Recent solo oratorio engagements include Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor (both with the Richmond Symphony), and Beethoven’s Mass in C with the Chattanooga Bach Choir.