Distinguished Senior Lecturer in Voice
About
Donnie Ray Albert is an American operatic baritone and educator whose distinguished career spans more than five decades in performance and higher education. A native of Louisiana, he earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University before completing a Master of Music in vocal performance at Southern Methodist University in 1975, where he studied under Bruce Foote and Thomas Hayward.
Albert has served in the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music since the fall of 2012, initially as senior lecturer in voice. Following his induction into the Opera America Hall of Fame in 2025, he was named Distinguished Senior Lecturer in Voice. As a pedagogue, he has mentored numerous undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students who have gone on to establish successful careers in the music profession.
Albert’s performance career has led him to prominent international opera houses and concert venues. Among his recent engagements are appearances as Monterone in Rigoletto with Cincinnati Opera and as Lawyer Frazier in Porgy and Bess with Houston Grand Opera.
His discography includes recordings such as Porgy and Bess, conducted by John DeMain, which received the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording and the Grand Prix du Disque; The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, awarded the 2008 Grammy Awards for Best Opera Recording and Best Classical Album; and Eine Florentinische Tragödie, conducted by James Conlon. His recordings are widely available through major digital platforms.
Courses
Applied Voice
Donnie Ray Albert is an American operatic baritone and educator whose distinguished career spans more than five decades in performance and higher education. A native of Louisiana, he earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University before completing a Master of Music in vocal performance at Southern Methodist University in 1975, where he studied under Bruce Foote and Thomas Hayward.
Albert has served in the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music since the fall of 2012, initially as senior lecturer in voice. Following his induction into the Opera America Hall of Fame in 2025, he was named Distinguished Senior Lecturer in Voice. As a pedagogue, he has mentored numerous undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students who have gone on to establish successful careers in the music profession.
Albert’s performance career has led him to prominent international opera houses and concert venues. Among his recent engagements are appearances as Monterone in Rigoletto with Cincinnati Opera and as Lawyer Frazier in Porgy and Bess with Houston Grand Opera.
His discography includes recordings such as Porgy and Bess, conducted by John DeMain, which received the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording and the Grand Prix du Disque; The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, awarded the 2008 Grammy Awards for Best Opera Recording and Best Classical Album; and Eine Florentinische Tragödie, conducted by James Conlon. His recordings are widely available through major digital platforms.
Applied Voice
Contact Information
Email address
donnierayalbert@
512.471.7322
MRH 4.114
Teaching Areas
Voice & Opera
Education
Master of Music
Southern Methodist University
Bachelor of Music
Louisiana State University