Larry Paxton

Larry Paxton is a Professor of Music at the University of Hawai‘i since 1985, affiliated with the Department of Music in the College of Arts and Humanities. He holds a Master of Music (with honors) from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. A renowned performer, Paxton has sung over 30 operatic roles with prestigious companies including the Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, and Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, alongside appearances at the Sydney Opera House. He is also an award-winning director of musical theatre productions such as Sunday in the Park with George and Nine at Diamond Head Theatre.

His accolades include winning the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions, achieving finalist status in the San Francisco Merola Competition, and securing first place in the Beethoven Vocal Competition. His work extends to modern opera world premieres, symphonic collaborations, and theatrical direction. Recent departmental recognitions include the 2025 NAfME award and a Korean Presidential Award acknowledging contributions to ethnomusicology.