John Elson Williams
Biography
John Elson Williams is currently on faculty at the University of West Georgia where he
teaches voice and music directs the musicals and operas. His students have regularly earned
high marks in both the classical and music theater categories in student auditions of NATS.
While some of his former students currently excel at singing pop, gospel, R&B, music theater,
and classical genres, other previous students have participated as apprentices at Horizon
Theater Company and Atlanta’s Black Nativity. John has music directed musicals and operas
across the east coast. Credits include Aladdin, Cendrillon, Evil Dead, Die Fledermaus, A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum, Godspell, Gospel at Colonus, Little Women (musical), Songs for a
New World, and Speed Dating Tonight. He was recently awarded for excellence in music direction
from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for Songs for a New World. Future
performances as music director at UWG are Meanwhile Back at Cinderella’s, the opera on March
10 and 12 and Heathers, the musical April 20-24. John currently holds a master of music
degree in performance and pedagogy from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins
University and a bachelor of music from East Carolina University. He will be graduating this
Spring from the University of Iowa with a PhD in Vocal Pedagogy.
Professional Experience
- Education
Interested in touring?
- Yes
Hireable as
- Music Director/Conductor (Not Pianist)
- Vocal Director and/or Choral Prep
- Music Assistant
- Vocal Arranger
- Class/Voice Lesson/Rehearsal Pianist
- Voice teacher with roster of private students
- Classroom music teacher at an educational institution
My Primary Instrument
- Voice: tenor
My Instruments
- Piano
- Voice
Affiliations
- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SINGING (NATS)
Current HS, College, or Grad Student?
- Yes
Pronouns
- He/Him