Faculty Instructor

Gary Briggle is a nationally-renowned singer/actor, stage director and master teacher of the Balk Techniques for Radiant Performance, with over 45 years of professional experience in the full range of music-theater genres. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1975 with both a Bachelor of Music and Speech/Theatre degrees. He did MFA work at the University of Minnesota, while a member of the Minnesota Opera Company Studio under the visionary guidance of H.Wesley Balk, and then joined the resident ensemble, singing a wide range of roles for the following decade.

In 1982 he began the peripatetic life of a freelance artist, performing with regional theaters and opera companies nationwide. He was an artistic associate with Seaside Music Theater for 25 years, and artistic director/ principal tenor for Lyric Opera Cleveland for 15 years. He was a member of the Arizona Theatre Company for 7 seasons, and featured performer at The Skylight Opera Theater for a decade.

As stage director, Gary worked with Dayton Opera for 20 years and Sacramento Opera for 5 years. He was head of the opera department at the University of Iowa, and guest director at various academic institutions.

Locally, Gary was co-chair of the Musical Theater department at SPCPA, and recently served as interim artistic director of Skylark Opera Theatre. For nearly 40 years he has worked with Nautilus Music-Theatre, and continues to perform and direct with various companies in the Twin Cities. He has staged the past two SCVO “Opera on the River” concerts as well as “Figaro for Kids”, the educational touring show. He is excited to participate in the SVI for a second summer!