John Boelling received his Bachelor of Music from Portland State University and his Masters in Music Performance from Florida State University where he studied with Metropolitan Opera singer, Stanford Olsen. In addition to teaching at Willamette, he also teaches at the University of Portland and from his private studio in Portland. John is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). A tenor, Mr. Boelling is an active performer throughout the region. He is a member of the Portland Opera Chorus and has sung with the Oregon Symphony, Eugene Opera, Oregon Lyric Opera, The Astoria Music Festival, Portland's Bach Cantata Choir, and Mock's Crest. Baroque music, German lieder, and contemporary American art song are some of his major interests, but opera is his first love. He lives with his wife, Cynthia and baby daughter Greta.

"I have always been a creative person, and music is my primary muse, but I love all the arts and have many diverse interests. I began my college career as an English major because I wanted to be a fiction writer. Social activism was always important to me and I even took a year away from college to work on an environmental campaign. I eventually found my way back to music (at first singing folk and pop songs and later classical music), but not after a few years of aimless travel and a stint as a vegetarian cook at a hot springs resort in the forest. I believe firmly in a well-rounded, liberal arts education and the integration of disciplines, philosophies and, of course, broad life experiences. That's why I enjoy working with Willamette students so much. They all have many interests and talents and they come to Willamette to challenge themselves in this holistic learning environment."