Singer, Conductor, and Music Director
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What you need to know about Lynn Gary Atkins
Known for his expressive quality on the podium as well as a tenor in solo and choral ensemble performance, Lynn Gary Atkins is a proud son of the Jersey Shore. 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).
As a professional tenor, Atkins has appeared with Princeton Pro Musica (NJ), Delaware Valley Orchestra, Swarthmore Chorale (PA), Petersburg Symphony, and the Litha Symphony Orchestra (NY). No stranger to the Richmond Metropolitan area, Lynn has just finished six seasons as artistic director of One Voice Chorus as well as two seasons as artistic director of the James River Ringers handbell ensemble, all while serving as a choral music teacher for the Henrico and Chesterfield County School Systems, as well as three years with Collegiate School of Richmond.
In 2012, Dr. Atkins became the first student to be hooded with a dual Masters of Music/Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting from James Madison University. While at JMU, he conducted the choirs of JMU in concert as well as on tour on the Piccolo Spoleto festival concert series. Following the example of his mentors, Lynn has devoted himself to the teaching artist model, serving as guest adjudicator, guest conductor, as well as guest clinician for the Virginia Choral Directors Association, as well as countless county honor choir festivals and handbell choir workshops on the East Coast.
The 2019-2020 concert season features Atkins conducting Litha Symphony for their 2019 New Year’s Eve Gala featuring the music of Bizet and Vaughan Williams as well as their Season Closer Concert featuring the music of Brahms. Atkins will also present a series of recitals in the Winter. Currently, Lynn serves as the Director of Choral Activities for Pinelands Regional School District in Tuckerton, NJ where he teaches five choirs, as well as classes in piano and music theatre. He also serves as Chorus Master for Litha Symphony Orchestra in New York City and is a Staff Musician for All Saint’s Church in Princeton, NJ.
As a professional tenor, Atkins has appeared with Princeton Pro Musica (NJ), Delaware Valley Orchestra, Swarthmore Chorale (PA), Petersburg Symphony, and the Litha Symphony Orchestra (NY). No stranger to the Richmond Metropolitan area, Lynn has just finished six seasons as artistic director of One Voice Chorus as well as two seasons as artistic director of the James River Ringers handbell ensemble, all while serving as a choral music teacher for the Henrico and Chesterfield County School Systems, as well as three years with Collegiate School of Richmond.
In 2012, Dr. Atkins became the first student to be hooded with a dual Masters of Music/Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting from James Madison University. While at JMU, he conducted the choirs of JMU in concert as well as on tour on the Piccolo Spoleto festival concert series. Following the example of his mentors, Lynn has devoted himself to the teaching artist model, serving as guest adjudicator, guest conductor, as well as guest clinician for the Virginia Choral Directors Association, as well as countless county honor choir festivals and handbell choir workshops on the East Coast.
The 2019-2020 concert season features Atkins conducting Litha Symphony for their 2019 New Year’s Eve Gala featuring the music of Bizet and Vaughan Williams as well as their Season Closer Concert featuring the music of Brahms. Atkins will also present a series of recitals in the Winter. Currently, Lynn serves as the Director of Choral Activities for Pinelands Regional School District in Tuckerton, NJ where he teaches five choirs, as well as classes in piano and music theatre. He also serves as Chorus Master for Litha Symphony Orchestra in New York City and is a Staff Musician for All Saint’s Church in Princeton, NJ.