Baritone, David Dillard has sung operatic roles with companies such as The Austin Lyric Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Lake George Opera Festival, DiCapo Opera Theater, Union Avenue Opera Theater, San Diego Opera Ensemble, and the Tanglewood Music Center.

While at FGO, he appeared with world renowned countertenor David Daniels and early music specialist Harry Bickett. At Tanglewood, Dr. Dillard studied with Phyllis Curtin and sang under the direction of Robert Spano of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Seiji Ozawa at the inaugural concert of Seiji Ozawa Hall. Other artists with whom he has worked include: Fredricka von Stade, David Garvey, Carl St. Clair, Daniel Beckwith, Marc Verzatt, Joseph Rescigno, Martin Katz, Kenneth Kiesler, and Eduard Zilberkant.

Dr. Dillard’s operatic roles include: Don Giovanni, Forester (The Cunning Little Vixen - in Czech), Dandidi, John Sorel (The Consul), Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro) Figaro/Fiorello (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Maximilian (Candide), Gianni Schicchi, Reverend Hale (The Crucible), Marquis (La traviata), Taddeo (L’Italiana in Algeri), Liberto (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Ben (The Telephone), Commissioner (Madama Butterfly), Count Ceprano/Monterone (Rigoletto), and Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas).

Dr. Dillard is particularly passionate about Lieder. Among his collaborations with internationally acclaimed pianist Martin Katz are three performances of Schubert’s Winterreise. Other art song recital appearances include: The Round Top Festival, Truman State University, Principia College and The Bach Festival in Trujillo, Peru. In 2004, he sang Carmina Burana with the Fairbanks Symphony.

In Vienna, Dr. Dillard coached with Wolfgang Holzmair, Elly Ameling, and Helmut Deutsch at the Franz-Schubert-Institut. He holds music degrees from Principia College, the University of Texas in Austin, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and was a 2007 NATS Intern.

Before coming to Southern Illinois University, Dr. Dillard served on the faculty of Central Michigan University.