Dr. Jaynne C. Middleton

Dr. Jaynne C. Middleton, is professor of voice, performance studies department head, and associate dean of the HSU School of Music and Fine Arts. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she holds the B.M. and M.M. degrees in vocal performance from the Florida State University, and the D.M.A. degree also in vocal performance from the University of North Texas.

Some of her leading roles were Curly’s Wife in the east coast premiere of Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men, Polly Peachum in Kurt Weill’s Three Penny Opera with famed Lotte Lenya.

She made her concert debut as soprano soloist in the Messiah with the Atlanta (Georgia) Symphony conducted by Robert Shaw. She has performed opera and concert recitals in the southeast and southwest United States, Italy, Austria, Russia, Poland, and Saudi Arabia.

Locally, she has performed with Abilene Opera Association as Micaela in Carmen, the Second Lady in The Magic Flute, and Marcellina in The Marriage Of Figaro, with McMurry summer theatre, she has performed Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, and Jack’s Mom in Into the Woods. She has also performed with the Abilene Philharmonic, Abilene Community Theatre, and several productions at the Paramount Theatre Productions.

She is presently on the Board of Young Audiences of Abilene, as well as being one of the artists in Fantasy Opera. She is also on the board of the Abilene Zoo and the NCCIL Board. She holds memberships in the National Association Teachers of Singing, Opera America, National Opera Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, National Society of Daughters of the Revolution, and First Central Presbyterian Church of Abilene.

She is a lover of cats and presently has four: Dakota (14), Tex and Carolina (4), and Jack who is really a pig in cat’s clothing (age unknown). She is married to local family physician, Carl Trusler, M.D.