Tony Deaton made his New York debut at The International Festival of the Arts in the title role of Harrison Birtwistle's avant-garde opera, Punch and Judy. He has performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, at Spoleto USA in Charleston, SC, and with symphony orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States. He has worked with such renowned artists as Gian Carlo Menotti, Carlisle Floyd, Robert Ward, Bodo Igesz, and Marni Nixon, among others, and has performed many times on public and commercial radio and television. Mr. Deaton created the role of Major William Lewis in the world premiere performance of Rachel, produced by the Knoxville Opera Company, and was chosen by American composer Richard Maltz to premiere his song cycle, Seeing With The Heart. In October of 2005, Mr. Deaton also premiered Songs of This War, a song cycle composed for him by the renowned American composer, David Holsinger. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Lee College as a voice student of Jim Burns, and a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from The University of Tennessee where he studied with Edward Zambara. Mr. Deaton is currently Associate Professor of Vocal Music at Lee University where he has distinguished himself as an exceptional teacher. Many of his students have placed first in state and regional vocal competitions including National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Tennessee Music Teacher’s Association (TMTA) and the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Mr. Deaton also conducts master-classes, serves as a voice adjudicator, and continues an active performance schedule.