The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Wayne Conner served on the faculty at Peabody for 44 years, many of which he acted as the Coordinator of the voice department. He previously served on the Mannes College of Music faculty, and was a lecturer in vocal literature, history and performance courses at Peabody, the Curtis Institute, and the Academy of Vocal Arts. 

A native of Dallas, Texas, Mr. Conner was a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. For thirty years he was the producer and host of the radio program Singer's World, heard on the stations of National Public Radio. He was also the producer and host for twelve years of The Sunday Opera on WHYY-FM, Philadelphia, as well as being the commentator for broadcasts of performances by the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. 

A singer with a clear, beautiful tenor voice, Mr. Conner was a winner of the prestigious Walter W. Naumburg Competition, which presented him in his concert debut in New York City at Town Hall. Subsequently, he appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy, the Zagreb Philharmonic under Milan Horvat, the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, the Bethlehem Bach Festival, the Baltimore Bach Society, the Philadelphia Lyric Opera, and the Marlboro Music Festival. Frequently sought after as a lecturer, he spoke for "before performance" programs of opera companies in Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia, and for the Continuing Studies program of Johns Hopkins University. He was also a lecturer for the vocal recital series by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.

We are very grateful for Wayne’s immense contribution to the education of singers at Peabody, and he will be greatly missed by colleagues and students; but as Ernie Ligon expressed it so aptly, “he leaves behind a long list of students and colleagues who are better singers, better musicians and better people from having known him.” 

Wayne Conner, tenor, teacher - The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 13, 2008
Wayne Conner - The Baltimore Sun, May 14, 2008
Wayne Conner, opera singer and broadcaster, dies at 79 - Courier-Post, May 14, 2008
Remembering Wayne Conner - Fresh Air, NPR, June 12, 2008

Send your memories of Wayne Conner and they will appear on this page.

It is with deep sadness that I write of Wayne in the past tense. Somehow I thought he should go on forever. He was the truest of colleagues, that ideal person who was a top-notch scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend to all. He was devoted to his students, and so many say that it was because of him, they chose a life in music and teaching. It was an honor to have known him for so many years. With a grateful heart, Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Chair, Voice Department, Peabody Conservatory

In my brief two years at Peabody, I had not managed to take a class with Mr. Conner.  I had always heard wonderful things about him as a teacher, however, and looked forward to his class for Vocal Seminar in the Fall of 2007.  Working as a graduate assistant for the voice department, I needed to help Mr. Conner set up for the class he would teach.  Through emails, he had requested some audio visual equipment to play recordings for his presentation.  I had secured everything ahead of time with the recording arts department, but on the day of Mr. Conner's scheduled class, I had a bad feeling.  Arriving early to Goodwin Hall, I saw there was no equipment in sight:  after much scrambling around and changing classrooms three times (with 40 students in tow), I was sweating bullets and thought I would definitely get fired (and receive Mr. Conner's stern disapproval).  On the contrary, Mr. Conner was the perfect gentleman throughout this ordeal, and in fact found it rather amusing.  Once we finally found a classroom with the needed equipment, he happily jumped into his presentation of great opera singers of the past.  He was so enthralling and enthusiastic as a teacher that everyone (myself included) forgot the previous mishaps and enjoyed the beautiful music.  Though the class was only an hour long, Mr. Conner gladly stayed past the appointed time, and continued to talk about and play opera excerpts for those students who didn't have to leave right away.  After the class, he actually commended me for running around to get a room.  A teacher of his stature could have easily been angry and used his authority to express great displeasure, but he was absolutely kind and generous to everyone.  Mr. Conner truly embodied the collegial spirit of Peabody, personally caring for each and every student he taught.  He will be greatly missed by us all.
-Annie Gill (GPD Voice, 2008)

I only took one class with Wayne Conner, an opera class, during the second year of my Master's study at Peabody.  As a teacher, he had an astounding knowledge of music history and performance, and as a human being he was humble and fair.  In short, he was a true gentleman and scholar.  His gifts will be missed.
-Emilie Hodgin-Aovare (MM '05)

Yesterday, it was with great shock and sadness that I learned of the death
of Wayne Conner. Mr. Conner was my mentor and voice teacher as I earned my D.M.A. I was his teaching assistant from 1985-87.

Mr. Conner had an incredible musical ear. Whether one was discussing vocal technique or music literature, his understanding and memory were second to none. He was brilliant.

Mr. Conner had integrity. He did not play favorites among his voice students.
If he did not believe you had potential as a singer, he simply didn’t let you
in his studio. In a field rife with egotists and fakes, he truly loved singing and singers.
He was very generous with his time and attention.

Mr. Conner had humility.

Over half of the credits of my D.M.A. were earned with him:
Voice (four years), Operas of Mozart, Wagner’s Ring, Verdi, History of Singing,
Opera Literature, Studio Observation, Practice Voice Teaching, and Document.
I took every class with him I could. While Peabody awarded my degree, in many ways Mr. Conner did. When I mentioned this to him, he said, with a smile “Does this mean you can blame me for your mistakes?” I answered, “No, it just means you get part of the credit for anything I do right.”

Everyday, in my work as a singing teacher and administrator, I am using things
Mr. Conner taught me. I will miss him. Nevertheless, I am very proud to be, in the beautiful words of Mr. Ligon, in that long line of those who are ”better singers, better musicians, and better people for having known him.”
-Evan Walker (DMA '89), Singing Teacher and Chair, Music Department, Carver Center for Arts and Technology

My first thoughts when I heard of Mr. Conner's death were how much knowledge was disappearing with the loss of our teacher.We will miss an amazing singer, teacher, scholar and music coach.  Mr. Conner is an example of why I chose Peabody Conservatory over any other schools.  I admired his devotion and knowledge, the ease and inspiration with which he taught, and his love of sharing his passion for music with all students.  Mr. Conner treated all students with patience and devotion, and seemed devoid of negative judgment. The only condition to be part of "the gang" as he use to call it was to share a common love for music and voice in particular.

I recall his incredible lectures with such wonderful memories: his famous French diction trick of "de, de, dedede," his quote, "Correct me if I am wrong Mr. L." or "I dare you to get this tune out of your head."  I remember his love for very, very old recordings that nobody could hear... I also recall a very recent discussion Mr. Conner had with Dean Justen before a class.  He stated that we were too young to fully realize the incredible potential we had as young singers, and how our singing could actually be life-changing to other people.  We can best remember Mr. Conner by striving to do as he taught us:  Communicate the love of music through our performances and our teaching of music to others.
-Solen Mainguené, Class of 2010

I only had the privilege of taking one semester with Mr. Conner – Operas of Mozart. I still cannot get over his ability to speak for about an hour and a half straight, yet keep each student so far from boredom. His classes were so exciting, and I will always remember his anecdotes and legends about opera history and performers (I can still see him, index finger pointing to the sky, emphatically saying, “Ezio Pinza!”). The detailed information that he gave us throughout the semester is something I will value for the rest of my life as a singer. In class, we listened to the March from Idomeneo, and he challenged us all to have it at our weddings. Mr. Conner, I accept your challenge! It is a beautiful march, and whenever my wedding may be, I will have it arranged for a smaller ensemble in honor of you. Thank you so much for being an amazing teacher.
-Stephanie Kruskol (BM 2009)

I took two classes with Prof. Connor and looked forward everyday to what I might learn in his classes.  He opened my eyes not only to what is printed on the page in both Mozart and Wagner's operas, but also what it is that makes a great performance and a great performer.  His passion for music was exceeded only by his passion for his students.  There were many days where I saw Prof. Connor outside of class and he would often sit with me and chat about the world of opera, the world of tenors, and the world of the voice.  I cherish those memories and walk away from his class knowing what I need to strive towards in my life not only as a performer, but as an educator, and friend of music.
- Chris Manna MM '09 

What shall we do without that living library that was Wayne Conner?  I worked with Mr. Conner from Fall of '86  to my graduation in '88.  He kept me in a perpetual state of awe with his knowledge of seemingly every great vocal artist that had ever walked the earth, and every recording of great singers made since the invention of the grammophone. But above all this, he was kind, supportive, and endlessly encouraging.  After graduating, I continued working with Mr. Conner in Philadelphia.  I remember several occasions when I couldn't get a sitter for my baby daughter, but he would always encourage me to come anyway, making arrangements in his studio for my child's safety and comfort. He kept me going at a time in my life when the burdens of parenthood would have made it easy for me to have given up singing permanently.

Wayne Connor was a true gentleman-scholar.  Sadly, the world will not see his like again, but I believe his legacy of scholarship, integrity and kindness will live on in all the lives he touched.  He'll be greatly missed.
- Robyn Stevens (Woodle) MM '88

Where to begin?  I was a Conner student and his TA during my doctoral studies at Peabody in the early to mid 1990’s.  I came to Peabody in full knowledge that my vocal technique was not good, but I was not prepared for his first words to me in the studio, “You do everything wrong!”  From there we went through two years of battle – me with my hard-headed stubbornness; he with his.  Thank Wotan I had the good sense to realize that his ears were superior to mine and listened to him. After another two years, I had the beginnings of a technique and vocal understanding that could develop into something.  With Ernie Ligon (another story), he re-tooled my voice and my mind-set from a “wimpy, precious, correct (damned with faint praise) singer” into the singer I am today.
 
An important part of his gift to me was literature. Practically all of the music I performed on my recitals was so far outside my knowledge of standard repertoire that I probably would have never found it.  After the first recital of the usual French, German, English and Italian, I sang Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, and other languages that I don’t remember, not because he had done the music himself, but because he thought it would be good for my voice – it was the appropriate repertoire.  Many times, we worked in languages with which he was not expert, but he would instruct me to find someone who spoke that language for diction help, and he would work on the sound of my voice and the music.  I don’t remember any other singers doing the music I performed.
 
In the classroom, he was nothing short of magnificent. I have never heard, and never expect to hear, his equal.  His passion and knowledge for music and singing are unsurpassed, at least as far as I know.  He exposed me to singers I had never heard of through his expansive collection of recordings.  He would walk into the classroom, put his opened notebook on the desk, begin to talk and the world went away for me. Sometimes I would write notes frantically; at other times I would not write a single word because I was lost in his world of gods, goddesses, all too human composers and musicians, and most importantly, amazing singers.  I will be forever grateful for that, for it raised the bar for what I consider to be good singing and thorough scholarship forever.
 
His artistry was amazing.  I remember the first year Peabody had a Russian diction class (just after I finished); the voice faculty gave a recital of Russian/Czech music.  My memory of the program is vague, but it seems that most of the faculty chose flashy arias and art songs. Not Conner.  He chose one of the simplest songs possible, one of the Biblical Songs by Dvorak, and moved most everyone in the audience to tears with his heartfelt performance.  And in the words of someone who will remain nameless, “Conner blew the rest of them away.”  It was only after I heard his performance of this simple song that I totally understood at a visceral level what he was trying to teach me:  it’s all about communication. It was clear then to me how he became the first singer to win the Naumburg.
 
In short, I adored him.  I appreciate all that he tried to give to his students.  In the studio and classroom, I try to emulate him in many ways with the full knowledge that I’ll probably never be able to live up to his example.  He was not perfect; he definitely was not a warm and fuzzy person who held your hand through your problems and he could be downright brutally honest at times, but he taught me that the music and the singing can get you through most anything in your life if you let it.  He also epitomized the idea that if you can share it with others, it is die holde Kunst.  I will remember “Himself” with fondness and deep gratitude.  I am glad to have had him as a mentor and can only hope he was proud of me in some small way. 
 
It’s funny that only now do I feel I can call him Wayne – I would never have done it to his face.  Thanks, Wayne.
 
- Deborah Kent, DMA 1994,  Director of Music, Howard Community College

Wayne Conner was one of the most influential people I ever had the privilege of knowing in my life.  I am deeply saddened by his passing.  Mr. Conner was in good health while I was studying with him so the news of his passing comes as a terrible shock to me.  I remember first meeting him when he greeted me at the door at my audition for admission into the Peabody Conservatory.  I was eighteen years old and was a nervous wreck.  Mr. Conner made me feel at ease right away.  The following April I was fortunate to be accepted into his studio.  It seemed like everyone knew who Wayne Conner was when I would ask about him because he was such a wonderful person.  That summer I took a lesson with him at his studio in Philadelphia.  His personality as a teacher was a perfect fit for me.  Therefore, the decision to attend Peabody was an easy one.  As my voice teacher he always had faith in me and I will never forget that.  When I used to complain in my lessons Mr. Conner told me not to worry countless times.  I used to complain a lot believe me.  So much so that Mr. Conner told me to shut up during one of my lessons.  Great teachers care about there students.  Mr. Conner was always there for his students and tried to help them as much as he could.  As a student at Peabody I also had the privilege of taking Mr. Conner's Opera Literature classes.  He was one of the finest lecturers mainly because he loved what he was doing so much.  I remember being excited every time I went to one of those classes because Mr. Conner's presentation of the subject matter just grabbed me.   His knowledge of the subject matter was so vast and it would pour out of him so easily and with tremendous passion.  The main thing I can say about Wayne Conner above anything else is that he was just a wonderful man who I will never forget.  I remember going to a recital with Mr. Conner with Jose Van Dam performing.  We both had tears in our eyes after the first half of the program.  I felt a deep connection with him at this point.   Luckily I had the privilege of knowing Wayne Conner and I am forever grateful to have had that opportunity.  I loved him not only as a teacher but as a man as well. 
- Nick Hay, BM in voice 2001, MM in voice 2003.

I just heard of the death of our national treasure Wayne Conner, as announced by Ed Cunningham on WHYY. I feel a sense of personal loss. When I came to Princeton in 1987, I began to listen to his opera program where his "engineer" Scotty would spin old opera recordings from 78rpms because at that time Mr.
Conner felt that the then available LP and CD transfers were poor compared to the originals. Times have changed and most of those recordings are now available in excellent CD masterings.

However the knowledge and passion that he surrounded every opera and every amazing performance he selected with cannot be replaced. Only rarely in my life have I experienced a classical music DJ (it's a noble term) who left an affect on me as he did.

I recall his playing particularly the Vezzani Faust from those 78s, a performance now remastered on Andante, a performance and indeed an opera I would have no interest in if not for his leading me to understand what real French opera was all about.

I only once corresponded with him. When he played from the MYTO release of the Björling Met opera live Faust and Don Carlo, I wrote him to ask where I could buy these items as such broadcasts have always been notoriously hard to obtain in the USA. Times again are changing. He responded to me and informed me of two stores in Philadelphia that carried the items in question and their comparative prices (corresponding of course the old fashioned way, this was c. 1994 and neither one of us did e-mail, at least I didn't).

At the moment I am playing the Fauré Requiem.

He will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of hearing his programs and not only by those who knew him in person.

- Yoël L. Arbeitman, PhD

Mr. Conner changed my life.  I am so grateful that I had the privilege to be his student; one of his last, in fact.  I had entered Peabody as as 24-year old undergraduate unsure of what was to come and fearful that I was "too old" to be starting this journey.  Mr. Conner put me at ease right away since he, too, started studying in his early twenties.  For four years he pushed me to do my best, encouraged me to maintain a healthy and practical balance between singing and life, and advised me ever so often to "put the music down, Ken,  and go have some scotch."  I cannot say what I admired most about him; his encyclopedic knowledge of singers, operas, and movies (both mainstream and obscure); his easy-going and good-natured manner, or his endless curiosity about everything and everyone.  What I can say is that I aspired, and still do,  to be more like my wonderful and wondrous teacher.  Thank you, Mr. Conner. 
- Kenny Harmon (BM '03)

Wayne Conner was, in a way, a real hero to me. Not only did he have technique, an ear and a knowledge that few ever have, but Wayne Conner was the antithesis of the "stupid singer:" the man was simply brilliant, the sine qua non of a singer who could be not only musically intelligent but highly intellectual.
 
I took many classes with him in addition to being in his studio. I learned the history of singing. I even learned about the great Cantors from Wayne Conner, something that would forever change my career path and what would become my calling.
 
Being a Cantor in the traditional synagogue makes incredible demands upon the voice, and many of my colleagues have asked me where in the world I managed to get such solid vocal technique. My answer has always been: Wayne Conner.
 
I have studied with many teachers since. But I can always rely on the basic, super healthy skills I learned in Wayne Conner's studio, complete with his picture of young Caruso and the giant mirror.
-Hazzan Benjamin Matis, Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston NJ, (BM, voice, 1994)

I was fortunate enough to take three of Mr. Conner's classes, and I will never forget my first one-on-one experience with him.  We had just gotten our first tests back in the fall semester of Opera Literature, and I had a C!  It was the only bad grade I had ever received in all my years as a student to that date, so--shocked and supremely embarrassed--I asked to speak with him after class.  Well, Mr. Conner was just as calm as a cucumber, and told me what I needed to hear: the grade was not a mistake, and I would have to be more thorough in my studies and
preparations.

I like to think of that moment as my "Peabody wakeup call."  Life isn't easy, but it sure can be rewarding if you get your mind in the right place.  After that initial experience, I worked extremely hard to learn as much as I could from Mr. Conner.  He was a fountain of knowledge --so passionate, kind, and humorous.  When the class periods would end, I always felt a pang of disappointment because I wouldn't get to hear the rest!  Like a Grandfather concluding storytime with a cliffhanger and a mischievous smile...  He really made things that fun.

As for those scary tests?  By the end of that year, I found myself actually enjoying taking them because they allowed me to prove to myself what I had learned -- and boy, had I learned a lot.  Mr. Conner was loved and revered by just about everyone he came in contact with.  I will remember him very warmly for the rest of my life.

- Jillian Goldin, (BM '08, Voice)

I was saddened to learn of the death of Wayne Conner, and I want to post this tribute to him which represents what I know to be the sentiments of my deceased wife Carolyn Smith (MM '84).  Carolyn was Professor Conner's student during her two years at the Peabody, and she often spoke to me of the very high esteem in which she held him.  Her lessons with him were inspiring and very productive.  She valued him not only as an outstanding teacher, but also as an unfailingly supportive and encouraging mentor.
 
Forty-four years on the Conservatory faculty!!!  What a wonderful contribution he made to the lives and careers of probably hundreds of students.  No doubt he will be greatly missed by all of them, and I know that Carolyn wants to join her voice with theirs in expressing her deep gratitude to Professor Conner and her affection for him.
 
- James G. Smith (BM '60; MM '61) 

“My epitaph will read ‘He wanted it legato’” I can’t think how many times Wayne Conner said that to me in the years between 1983 and 1990, as I earned my M.M. and D.M.A. under his guidance. All that has been written by others of his enormous knowledge, generous spirit, and unfailing courtesy is so true.  And underlying it all was his great love of a beautiful vocal line. 
- Catherine Anderson, Voice Faculty, Washington College

I was shocked to learn of the passing of my first teacher, Wayne Conner last week via Peabody post card. When I think of how little I knew when I arrived in 1984 to begin undergraduate study I realize just how much I owe this tremendously patient man with his incredible depth of knowledge. He was a teacher's teacher first and foremost and he shared his love of the singing art freely and generously. Wayne was in his mid-fifties when I worked with him, but he always had the energy and enthusiasm that made him seem so much younger.  It was that infectious kind of enthusiasm that bit some of us hard and has been the cause of outsized personal record libraries in more that just my own case. I took or audited as many classes with him as I could and would show up for class all over again if only I had the chance. He is and will be greatly missed by many. Thank you Mr. Conner.
- Michael Koon BM Voice, 1988, Voice Faculty Auburn University

Writing a few lines in honor of Wayne Conner has been very difficult.  When I walk around the streets surrounding Peabody, I feel the ghosts of memories past.  For example, he often reminded me that I was one of the few students to get into the conservatory and into his studio via a taped audition in the third and final audition session.  But later, I would go on to become his first graduate teaching assistant.   Where to begin this reflection ...
 
My father died unexpectedly the day before classes began during my first year at Peabody.  As a result, Mr. Conner became more than a mentor to me and in later years, I only half-jokingly referred to him as "Uncle Wayne."  He was a person with enough guts to tell me, "I will put you out of this studio if you ever smack a music stand again" after doing so in a moment of disgust over my singing during a lesson.  He was also a person who was unashamed to shed tears, as he did after hearing Meg Genovese, Donna Pierce, Baltimore Opera Music Director, Jimmy Harp, and yours truly sing Act III of La Boheme.  After the show and while giving me a crushing "Texas bear hug," he said of that performance, "You all destroyed me."
 
Mr. Conner was a dedicated teacher, someone Mr. Ernie Ligon referred to as "a pure teacher."  Indeed he was that but he was also more; he was a talented musician and a genuine intellect.  He could discuss everything from the intricacies of Verdi's role in the 19th Century Italian unification movement to the latest problem Mike Schmidt was having dealing with Philadelphia Phillies fans.  As his graduate assistant for two years, he had me grade every test, listening quiz, and research paper in every course except Oratorio Literature.  (He believed that would have been one course more than a fair load for a grad assistant.)  Occasionally, he would entrust a class in Opera Literature or French Opera to me, experiences that have been invaluable in my own teaching career.  I have kept a file of every one of our tests and handouts, handouts I still use in my own courses.  There are few times when I am teaching Music History that I don't wonder what he would think of the excerpts I choose to play and what he might believe to be more representative choices.  Academically, we disagreed only once, and with all due respect Mr. Conner, I still believe you were wrong on that one!
 
I remember the places we ate during working lunches (the only kind of lunches Mr. Conner ever took during those years).  I also remember calling Dallas during Christmas Break so Mr. Conner and I could discuss semester grades and getting to speak with "Momma."  I remember hearing about his uncles, Slim and Tiny, working together to prepare the end of the year studio party, building his audio equipment shelves with my brothers, his generosity on so many occasions ... the list goes on.  Vocally, none of us who studied with him could ever forget his impressions of W C Fields or Mae West, or how one of his favorite phrases during a lesson was, "That was fine, let's work."
 
This reminiscence could go much further, but then I would never finish it.  It is very hard for me to believe that he is gone, but perhaps his last act of kindness to me serves as an allegory for every other done on my behalf.  Tragically last spring, my Mom was killed in a pedestrian versus bus incident.  As a result, I was away for 10 days and returned to find our home filled with flowers.   There was one particularly spectacular arrangement that my wife, Amy, my children John and Jillian, and I saved for last.  It was very large and filled with all manner of hopeful, yellow flowers.  The card puzzled Amy and she said, "I don't understand," and handed me the card.  The card just read "Wayne."  I said "I understand" and while that memory still makes my eyes fill with tears, it does so now for two reasons. 
 
Rest well Jesse Wayne Conner, until that day when every tear will be wiped away.
- James Katchko   Chair, Performing Arts department, Loyola Blakefield School, Towson, MD

I’m picturing Wayne Conner doing one of two things just now – he’s either greatly enjoying the company of the great singers that preceded him – or he’s craftily trying to stump each one of them with a “drop the needle” quiz of who is singing what.
 
I was deeply saddened to receive a yellow postcard last week announcing the passing of Wayne Conner.  I first met Mr. Conner in the spring of 1982 and studied with him for four years as I pursued my Bachelor, with occasionally flagging enthusiasm for some subjects.  My audition went well; after all, I’d selected the perfect aria for a not quite 20 year old lyric tenor to show off his high B flats (Che’lla mi creda from La Fanciulla del West – a gentle little piece).  Although I hadn’t requested Mr. Conner as my voice teacher I’m so glad I ended up in his fold.  I absorbed everything I could of this man’s vast knowledge, not only of singing but how to be a genuine musician and, perhaps most importantly, the imperative to truly communicate.  In those days the members of his studio would travel up to Philadelphia for an end of year party hosted by the aforementioned and his cat, Wotan, if memory serves. I truthfully don’t recall what fare was offered because it was obvious he couldn’t wait to delve into what had to have been one of the most exhaustive record collections privately owned; a collection not measured in feet but in yards.  I close my eyes and can picture his expression of sheer mischievous glee as he would try to stump his best and brightest with obscure arias and singers – what wonderful memories!
 
Well, at times Wayne might have frustrated me with a “drop the needle,” but I’m sure I frustrated Wayne no end as well.  I left Peabody with my degree incomplete in 1986 and only recall seeing him once at a distance as I returned for forty minute visits in the mid-90s to pull together the missing strings of my elusive Peabody sheepskin.  However, I hope he knew how much his mentorship meant to me.  I’m in my mid-40s now but I sound better than ever; the foundation that he provided and upon which others built is a testament to his skills.
 
“Okay Mr. Conner, I’ve already done La Fille du Regiment. So, what do you think, now am I old enough for that aria from Fanciulla?  Or, maybe I should start working on Otello!”  No matter what his answer might be, I’ll look forward to letting him hear them when I join him.
 
Rest in peace Mr. Conner
 
- Duncan Connell, BM ’95 (student of Wayne Conner 1982-86)