Barry-Busse
Barry Busse '64
Outstanding Achievement in a Chosen Profession

As one of America’s most exciting dramatic tenors, Barry Busse has won acclaim for not only the quality and timbre of his voice, but for the sensitivity of his interpretation and his remarkable acting ability. His extensive career encompasses opera, musical theater, legitimate theater, and both university and private voice teaching. Mr. Busse is also a private speech coach. With 83 roles, 23 concert works and almost 800 performances to his credit in multiple foreign languages, he has been in high demand for his creativity and accuracy, and has created roles in a number of world premieres. Mr. Busse is equally at home in opera and Broadway, and his repertoire ranges from Charles Ludlam to Stephen Sondheim, from Dominic Argento to Richard Wagner.

Barry collaborated with Sondheim on the first opera house production of Sweeney Todd. He also frequently collaborated with operatic composers on world premieres, debuted in the roles he created and often recorded them, too. He has performed in operas at many of the most famous houses throughout the United States and Canada. Performing a wide diversity of roles, Mr. Busse solidified his reputation for powerful portrayals.

In Europe, Barry performed in operas in Florence, Paris, Toulouse, Geneva and Amsterdam. He has also sung with the symphony orchestras of many cities, both at home and abroad. In addition, he was guest-artist-in-residence at Kent State University in Ohio.

Mr. Busse has a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music, and a Master of Education degree from Walsh University. Most recently he taught music in both public and private schools, elementary through the college level, among them the University of Minnesota, St. Katherine’s University in Minnesota, and the Belle Stone Elementary School in Canton, Ohio. He has been teaching privately for 30 years.

Barry retired to Ohio because it was Oberlin that gave him his start and provided the biggest change in his life after high school. "I fell in love with Ohio and wanted to give something back to the young people in school today...something akin to the incredible experiences I have had along my incredible journey."