Will Lopes holds a Master’s Degree in Music (Conducting) from the University of Northern Iowa, a Bachelor's Degree in Sacred Music from Brazil’s Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Diploma in Piano Performance and Music Theory from the Music Conservatory of the FS State University, also located in Brazil. In his home country of Brazil, He has worked as assistant director, music faculty and vocal coach for several institutions including CUCA (University Center for Culture and Arts), Pernambuco Federal University, Northern Baptist Seminary, Pernambuco Music Conservatory and the British Council ELT in Recife.
As a jazz/pop singer, Lopes had the opportunity to perform in venues like the Dakota Jazz Club-MN and other jazz festivals in the States and in Brazil. He also has worked in several studio recordings, as a soloist, backup singer and vocal coach/arranger, recording jingles for companies like Coca-Cola and Levi’s Jeans. His unique versatility has allowed him to enjoy a wide range of opportunities including traveling in an US national tour with the Dove Award winner – the Continental Singers as one of their soloists.
As a classical musician, he has also performed in venues ranging from Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis to the Covent Garden Theatre in London. While living in Minnesota, Lopes was a section leader for the MN Chorale (official choir for the MN orchestra) and appeared in operas such as Don Giovanni, Carmen and Rosenkavalier. He has also appeared as soloist (tenor/countertenor) in performances of Handel’s Messiah, Bach B Minor Mass and Bach’s St. John Passion.
Lopes has worked as adjunct professor at the University of Northwestern (St. Paul, MN), Palm Beach Atlantic University and is currently the Director Vocal Music at Iowa Central Community College (Fort Dodge, IA) ), in which, he has been inducted into the hall of fame as a distinguished alumni. Lopes is an active clinician, guest conductor and vocal coach and has led seminars and workshops throughout the USA and Brazil.
In addition to his fine piano skills and vocal abilities, Lopes has also been commissioned to write choral and orchestral pieces, as well as show choir arrangements for high schools and colleges around the country. Lopes is a published arranged/composer and his pieces can be found under the catalog of Hal Leonard, Hinshaw Music, and Schirmer Music. Recently, he has published under his own publishing company – Lopes Publications, a series of a cappella arrangements of Brazilian folk songs for SATB and SSA entitled “Brazilian Sounds” another series entitled “Christmas Sounds”. He has also published his Brazilian-style liturgical mass "Gloria" and has premiered his first children's musical "The Bee Attitudes".
Lopes is a member of ACDA (American Choral Director’s Association), NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).