About Me
Quote
“It is my profound wish that every one of my students discovers the possibilities that lie within, and that I can help them unlock the magic that is waiting for them to share.”
Biography
Dr. Frank Wayne Ragsdale, is Associate Professor of Voice, Department Chair, and Program Director at the Frost School of Music where he teaches a variety of styles of voice including classical, music theatre (legit, belt, and mix), pop, rock, and country. His students have gone on to graduate programs at Eastman, Indiana University, The Cleveland Institute of Music, and Rice, and young artist programs such as Seagle Music Colony and Tri-Cities Opera. They have sung with Houston Grand Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Opera Omaha, Glimmerglass, Florida Grand Opera, and Utah Festival Opera. Many have secured agents and subsequently been hired by some of the top theaters in the country, including Lincoln Center (Broadway), Longacre Theater (Broadway) Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse, Forestburgh Playhouse, Casa Mañana, Dallas Theater Center, Clinton Area Showboat Theater, in addition to taking part in national tours, cruise ship companies and theme park entertainment. Several have won competitions throughout the country with NATS, Classical Singer, Lotte Lenya, Crescendo, Utah Festival International Opera Competition, and the districts and regions of the MET Council Auditions.
It is little wonder that in 2014, while teaching at Oklahoma City University, Dr. Ragsdale was awarded the University Full-time Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, for which he was also a finalist in 2008.
Dr. Ragsdale boasts a long and varied performing career in opera, oratorio, musicals, plays, and recitals throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, South Africa, the Middle East, and Central America, where, for three consecutive years, he was invited by the U.S. Embassies of Costa Rica and Honduras to give recital tours and masterclasses. He has performed in such notable venues as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Cairo Opera House, Mechanics Hall, Notre Dame, San Marco di Venizia, and St. Martin-in-the-fields. Dr. Ragsdale earned degrees from Atlantic Union College, The Longy School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Miami.Honors & Acknowledgements
Professional Experience
Career Highlights
- US State Department Tours to Central America
- Performing in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Cairo Opera House, Mechanics Hall, Notre Dame, San Marco di Venizia, and St. Martin-in-the-fields.
- Serving as NATS Texoma Region Auditions Chair from 2009-2015
- Serving on the Faculty of The University of Miami Frost School of Music Faculty from 2002 to present
Honors, Awards & Competitions
- CETL Excellence in Teaching Award 2014
- FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC Graduate Student of the Year 2004
Recordings
- 2003 Paolo e Francesca (Il Matto) – Albany Records
- 2000 Requiem – Ethereal Records
- 1998 O Jesus Sweet – Ethereal Records
- 1997 Messe Solennelle in C# minor – Ethereal Records
- 1991 Joy to the World – Ars Nova Digital
