About Larry Jay Giddens

---

Larry Jay Giddens, DME is a visionary baritone, educator, and arts entrepreneur whose career spans over 25 years in performance, arts education, and cultural leadership. A native of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Dr. Giddens blends artistic excellence with a deep commitment to accessibility, equity, and innovation in the performing arts.

He holds a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University, a Master of Music Education from Old Dominion University with a specialization in pedagogy, arts administration, and recruitment, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a minor in Theater from the University of Colorado Boulder.

As the founder and executive director of Vocaletics, Dr. Giddens launched the organization with a bold mission: to bridge the gap between athletics and the arts by offering comprehensive financial, developmental, and consulting support to student artists and athletes. Vocaletics reflects his belief that creative excellence and athletic discipline are not opposing forces, but complementary paths to personal and professional growth. Through programming in performance, outreach, recruitment, and artist advocacy, Vocaletics is redefining how communities invest in young talent.

Dr. Giddens also serves as instructor of vocal music and director of Opera Theatre at Old Dominion University, where he mentors the next generation of vocalists, directors, and arts leaders. His consulting work extends nationally, providing strategic guidance to performers, schools, and arts organizations in areas such as career development, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights for artists, and operational planning for creative ventures.

As a professional baritone, Dr. Giddens has toured internationally, captivating audiences across Europe, South America, and North America with his rich tone, emotional depth, and commanding stage presence. His operatic and concert repertoire spans classical, sacred, and contemporary works, and he has earned critical acclaim for performances that combine technical precision with heartfelt interpretation. Noted for his “resonant authority” and “gripping dramatic sensibility,” he has performed with esteemed U.S. companies including the Washington Philharmonic, Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Opera Carolina. Whether portraying operatic roles, delivering art songs, or leading in symphonic works, Dr. Giddens brings an unwavering commitment to storytelling through music—his voice described as one that “speaks before it sings” and “moves the soul without permission.”

Beyond his professional roles, Dr. Giddens is a dedicated husband and father, living in Virginia Beach with his wife and their four children. Their home is filled with music, athletics, and creativity—a reflection of the very values Vocaletics aims to nurture. His children are active in football, basketball, and the performing arts, and Dr. Giddens is a constant presence in their lives both as a proud supporter and mentor. Whether he's cheering from the sidelines, attending a recital, or helping them navigate their own dreams, family remains the heartbeat of his work. In quieter moments, he enjoys writing poetry, short stories, and pursuing freelance design, continuing to lead by example in creativity, discipline, and purpose.