With an eclectic vocal career in opera, music theatre, and classical major works, tenor Wesley Saunders has been seen in productions such as Faust, Carmen, Il Barbieri di Siviglia, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, West Side Story, the Phantom of the Opera and more. On the concert stage, Saunders has performed many major works from Schumann, Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn and is seen regularly in Handel’s Messiah during the Christmas season.

Saunders has also gained momentum as a music director with the productions of A Christmas Carol, Peter and The Starcatcher, and Bulrusher at regional theaters and institutional theatre departments alike. Saunders has also taught private voice, coached junior high and high school choirs, and directed a K-12 music program in Missouri demonstrating an investment in emerging talents in the performing arts. 

Wesley is quickly establishing a name for himself as a sought after young artist in the United States and abroad. He most recently performed as a soloist with the Delta Youth Chorale in Bach’s BWV 61 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland as well as performing on the Branson Theatre circuit with Cassandre, the voice of an Angel. Saunders’ has performed with the Mississippi Opera, the Gulf Port Handel Society, The Natchez Festival of Music, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and more. In 2016, he made his international debut with the Berlin Opera Academy in their production of Carmen.

In the competition circuit, Saunders took first place in the 2016 Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus young artist competition. A passionate choral singer as well as soloist, Saunders has performed around the country – including a performance at Carnegie Hall with The University of Southern Mississippi Chorale.

He holds a B. Music Education degree from The University of Idaho and a masters degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a fully certified Kodaly Instructor through the Chenaniah Summer Music Institute at New Saint Andrews College Conservatory of Music.