Professional biography
Lynn Gary Atkins, Jr., tenor/conductor
Atkins in concert with One Voice Chorus, March 2018.
Hailed as a voice with, “rich vocal color and appealing quality”, American tenor and conductor Lynn Gary Atkins, Jr. is a proud son of the Jersey Shore. He is recognized by his contemporaries for his range of expression and clarity on the podium as well as a tenor in solo and choral ensemble performance. While earning his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University; he began his career as a chorister, singing in choirs and small ensembles behind Julie Andrews, Sarah Brightman, Charlotte Church, Linda Eder, Denyce Graves, Patti LaBelle, and Christopher Plummer; and with the New York Philharmonic (Maazel, Dutoit), New Jersey Symphony (Macal), and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (Dougherty).
Atkins Headshot, Spring 2018.
Lynn’s career began in Music Education and Sacred Music. He has served school districts in New Jersey and Virginia, teaching choirs and courses in Music Theory, Music History, and Music Theatre. He has directed various types of vocal choirs and handbell ensembles for schools and churches. During the 2019-2020 school year, he was honored to be part of the partnership between the New Jersey Department of Education and Garden State Equality’s team of teachers to pilot teach and develop NJ LGBT Inclusive Curriculum in Visual and Performing Arts.
Singing with Brass Tacks Orchestra at Pinelands Cat Cabaret, May 2021.
Dr. Atkins is proud to be a member of the first cohort of students to graduate with a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from James Madison University in Choral Conducting Performance. During his time at JMU, he conducted the JMU Treble Chamber Choir, taught conducting classes, and served as guest conductor of the two flagship choirs of the program: JMU Chorale and The Madison Singers of James Madison University in concerts on campus, on tour at Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, as well as on their 2009 UK Tour of England and Wales. Following the example of his mentors, Lynn has devoted himself to the teaching artist model, continuing to sing as a choral section leader for community choirs and church ensembles while also serving as a conductor, guest adjudicator, guest conductor, as well as guest clinician for countless district and county honor choir festivals, handbell choir workshops, and music clinics.
Conducting Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble in Atlantic City; June 2022.
As a professional tenor, Atkins has appeared with Princeton Pro Musica (NJ), Delaware Valley Orchestra, Swarthmore Chorale (PA), Litha Symphony Orchestra (NY), Masterworks Chorale of the Shenandoah Valley, Petersburg Symphony, and Masterworks Chorale of Central Virginia (VA), and the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra (VA). From 2013 to 2019, Dr. Atkins served as the second artistic director of One Voice Chorus Richmond. During his six seasons with the choral organization, Lynn led the 125-member chorus and 35-member ensemble in season concerts and special events in the Central Virginia area with a focus on racial reconciliation and promoting diversity. He has also served as Artistic Director of the James River Ringers of Richmond and the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble.
Atkins is currently Assistant Professor of Music at California State University, Dominguez Hills; where is serves as Director of Choral Activities as well as Voice Area Coordinator. He is also Artistic Director of the L. A. Bronze Handbell Ensemble and Director of Music at Faith United Methodist Church in Torrance, CA. Lynn is a proud member of Pi Kappa Lambda: The National Music Honor Society as well as Mu Phi Epsilon: the National Music Fraternity. This October, Lynn will begin his tenure on the National Board of Directors for Handbell Musicians of America.
Atkins CV (updated 1/2023)