About Wayd
Described by Opera News as a “standout”, Wayd Odle is a tenor
“on the verge of a substantial vocal career.” (ArtsKnoxville). His voice has been described as “ingratiatingly smooth” (bachtrack.com) and “fierce” (KCindependent). He has performed roles such as Don Jose, Rodolfo, and Nemorino with various companies throughout the United States.
His 2023-2024 season he will perform with The Atlanta Opera (The Shining, Midsummer Night’s
Dream) and return to Santa Fe Opera as a second year Apprentice Artist (Der Rosenkavalier).
Mr. Odle recently recorded the role of Delbert Grady (The Shining) for the world premiere cast recording under
the baton of Gerard Schwarz. This lyric tenor has been a last minute step-in as Don Jose on two
different occasions. The first was with Varna international with Gregory Buchalter, and the
second was a sitz probe and dress rehearsal for Lyric Opera of Kansas City, conducted by
Roberto Kalb. He also was a featured soloist with The National Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville
Symphony Orchestra and the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra and is an alumni of Wolf Trap
Opera.
Odle's 2022-23 season was spent with Santa Fe Opera as an Apprentice Artist and with
Lyric Opera of Kansas City. He performed Remendado (Carmen) and Gastone (La traviata),
while covering Don José (Carmen) and Alfredo (La traviata). He also sang and recorded the role of Delbert
Grady (The Shining).
For the 2021-2022 season with Lyric Opera of Kanas City Wayd performed King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors as well as Spoletta in Tosca, while covering Steve Wozniak in Steve Jobs and Cavaradossi in Tosca . He also covered Beadle Bamford in Opera Omaha's production of Sweeney Todd.
The 2020-2021 season saw Mr. Odle performing with Wolf Trap Opera as Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd and covering Valcour in L'amant anonyme. He also performed with Knoxville Opera as a Resident Artist, this included: Don José in their "Carmen on the Lawn", a featured soloist in their PBS special "Knox Opera for All!" and many outreach performances.
Wayd is a winner of the John Alexander National Vocal competition and Audience Choice
Award. He won the 2021 American Prize award and earned accolades from The Metropolitan
Opera Laffont competition, Houston Saengerbund awards and the Orpheus competition. Odle
holds a Bachelor of Music from Brigham Young University and his Master of Music from
University Tennessee Knoxville.