William Woodard, hailed by the Washington Post for possessing a “deep sensitivity and masterful touch” is a pianist, vocal coach and conductor based in Houston, TX. He is a member of the music staff at Houston Grand Opera where he will be assisting on Porgy and Bess, Silent Night, and The Messiah this season. William has previously served on music staff at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, Washington Concert Opera, Opera Theater St. Louis and New Orleans Opera. 

William is an alumnus of many prestigious festivals including Wolf Trap Opera, the Merola Opera Program, the Aspen Music Festival, SongFest and AIMS in Graz where he was awarded the Outstanding Lieder Pianist Prize. This summer, William joins the music staff of Opera Theater St. Louis and continues his relationship with Wolf Trap Opera where he serves as Chorusmaster for their production of Carmen.

His recent recital appearances with today’s leading operatic singers include Vocal Arts DC at The Kennedy Center, a concert with the New Orleans Opera Association, Renée Fleming’s SongStudio at Carnegie Hall, LA Opera at Home Recital Series, an Embassy Recital Series throughout DC and Brooklyn Art Song Society. He is excited to add Cincinnati Song Initiative to the list this season!

William is an alumnus of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program as well Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artist Program.