Richard Novak, D.M.A.

Dr. Richard Novak, has performed across the United States, Italy, Germany, Poland, & Mexico. Among Novak’s operatic credits are Rodolfo, Pinkerton, Alfredo, Don José, Nemorino, Ernesto, Werther, Eisenstein, Tamino, and Roméo. Training programs include Chautauqua Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, Wesley Balk Institute, and the Evelyn Lear/Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers. In 2005 and 2006, Novak won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Tulsa District). Dr. Novak holds a Bachelor’s & Master’s (Vocal Performance) from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas. Dr. Novak is an Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) where he teaches applied voice, opera, and lyric diction. Prior to UMHB, Novak taught at Texas State University, the University of the Incarnate Word, George Mason University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Louisiana- Monroe, & Angelina College. He is also on the faculty of the Sulzbach-Rosenberg International Music Festival in Germany. In 2019, Novak made his debut at Carnegie Hall singing a recital of songs by Jewish composer, James Simon (Simon was murdered at Auschwitz in 1944, and his music has recently been rediscovered). Novak has been honored to premiere new music in recent years. He was the driving force behind the creation of Kevin Salfen’s song cycle Stations of Mychal in 2021 (sung in NYC for the 20th Anniversary of 9/11) and premiered the role of Dr. Mengele in Thomas Yee’s Holocaust Opera Eva and the Angel of Death in 2022. Currently, he serves as the Coordinator of Sacred Music at Christ the King Catholic Church, and lives in Belton with his wife and children.