Gary McKenzie graduated from Austin High School in Decatur, Al, where he played trumpet in the band, and from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham Al. where his musical studies included Voice, Acting,, Dance, Musical Theater, Opera, Oratorio, Art Song. Lieder, Chanson, Jazz, Country, Popular, Choral Music, and Piano. He received scholarships from Birmingham-Southern, (where he received a BA in Voice), The Georgia State Summer Opera Workshop, (for 3 consecutive years), and The University of Tennessee / Knoxville, (where he was a Graduate Teaching Assistant and an Apprentice with The Knoxville Opera). He has performed roles Off-Broadway (NYC), with Town and Gown Theatre (Birmingham, Al.), Civic Opera (Birmingham), Southern-Regional Opera (Birmingham). Knoxville Opera (Knoxville, TN.), Huntsville Community Chorus (Huntsville, AL), Theater Around the Corner (Huntsville), Ars Nova (Huntsville), and Bank Street Players (Decatur, AL.) . Gary’s voice teachers include Dr. Ginger Beasley (Ars Nova),  Andrew Gainey (NYC Opera), Edouard Fath (Basil Opera House, Switzerland), Eldon Black (San Angelo University,Texas) Tim Johnson (Metropolitan Opera), as well as others. His acting teachers include Stockton Brigell (California) and Bonnie Gould (Ut, Knoxville, TN.) Gary’s own students have received scholarships, been accepted into college music programs, and performed roles with theatre groups and Opera companies here in the United States as well. Gary is excited to be teaching at Ars Nova!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!