Federal Way Public Schools Graduates of Note

Rob McPherson, Professional Opera Singer

Rob McPherson

Professional Opera Singer

Federal Way High School
Graduate, Class of 1986

Been to the opera lately? If you go to one almost anywhere in Europe or the United States, you just might see tenor Rob McPherson, a 1986 Federal Way High graduate, performing. Because some of his teachers in junior high and high school recognized his enthusiasm for singing, exposed him to new music and instilled in him the discipline he needed to become a successful performer, McPherson has a very thriving operatic career today.

Please tell me about your musical career.
At the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma (graduated in ’91), I explored my theatrical side and started on the path to become an opera signer. Since then I’ve played Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet”, sang tenor in “The Birth of Christ” on PBS and this fall I’ll sing opera in Israel. Debuting at the Metropolitan Opera is still on my to-do list.

Rob McPherson, 1986 FWHS graduate, sings Lindoro in Rossini's opera "L'Italiana in Algeri" with the Washington National Opera in DC.

When you were in high school what activities did you participate in?
I sang my first solo at age four and I knew I wanted to be a singer when I was in the sixth grade. In high school I performed in choir, men’s ensemble, jazz choir and band – everything that had to do with music. Between practicing, rehearsals and concerts, music programs took up most of my time.

What are your most significant or recent accomplishments?
Staying grounded is one of my most significant accomplishments. In a profession where I’m judged constantly and every note I sing is scrutinized, it would be easy to let praise go to your head. At the end of the day I tell myself what I do isn’t brain surgery, but I hope that I move people emotionally through my performances and affect them in a positive way. I still try not to take myself too seriously.

Please describe an experience, event or individual in your public education journey that inspired or motivated you.
Between my junior and senior year in high school, music teacher Larry Beltz (now retired) and I decided that I would perform a senior recital. We got together during the summer and worked on the music. In the end I sang 17 songs at that recital. That was when I first started to understand the huge amount of work that had to be done to pull that off. I’d study and sing for as long as 30 minutes on just two phrases until I got them ready for an audience. I still try to find that kind of quality in what I do – I don’t just sing, I craft a performance.

What advice would you like to share with teachers in schools today?
Remember that you have an impact on your students, whether you know it or not. Without the guidance, influence and support of my high school chorale director, Larry Beltz, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He broadened my world. The shadow behind a performer is long.

What advice would you like to share with students in schools today?
You have to decide who you want to be and you have to make choices that matter – sometimes that might put you in a holding pattern. It’s not always fun, but you have to choose whether to overcome your weaknesses or give into them.

The path I’ve chosen has been good for me, but I must constantly update what I’m doing just like an athlete does. I have coaches for diction, style, a voice teacher, a drama coach and a personal trainer. The trainer is because singing opera is very physically demanding.