John Gillas, born John Gillaspy on October 23, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, joined the faculty of Texas Tech in 1971. Mr. Gillas earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana Univeristy in 1955 with a full scholarship. Upon his arrival at Indiana University, he was immediately cast in the title role of the American premiere of Benjamin Britten’s “Billy Budd”. Mr. Gillas served in the United States Army. He was a founding member of the United States Army Chorus. After his time in the Army, Mr. Gillas took the opportunity to sing on the Swedish cruise ship S.S. Kungsholm. It was during cruise duty that he met Mary, his future wife. They married in 1960. He received a Fulbright Grant to the Rome Opera in Italy from 1960 to 1962. From 1962 until 1968, Mr. Gillas performed in opera houses throughout Germany, including Heidelberg, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Dortmund and others. It was during this time that John Gillaspy simplified his name to John Gillas. In 1968, Mr. Gillas and his family returned to the United States where he assumed a position as a performing faculty member of the University of Oklahoma. In 1971, Mr. Gillas joined the faculty of Texas Tech University as Vocal Teacher/Director of Music Theatre. By attending summer school, Mr. Gillas earned his Master of Science in Stage Direction with highest distinction from Indiana University in 1974 while building the Musical Theatre program at Texas Tech. During his tenure, he directed 87 productions of 65 operas, operettas, musical comedies and scenes. In 1986, Mr. Gillas was awarded the Paul Whitfield Horn Professorship. Mr. Gillas is currently Professor Emeritus. Following his retirement from Texas Tech, Mr. Gillas has continued performing and directing.