As Southwestern University's only full-time voice teacher, Bruce Cain has the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with each of his students. And it is in those moments--helping young singers find their voices--that he feels the most satisfaction.

"I enjoy watching students figure it out," says Cain. "It's not just about their voice, either. I help nurture their personality as well, because singing requires the development of both physical and interpretive skills."

Much of the music he teaches is operatic, with occasional folk and musical theatre. "Classical voice literature is easier to teach for vocal technique, because the student has no preconceived notion of how her voice should sound. Madonna hasn't sung it, so they probably haven't heard it. They can learn from scratch."

Cain also directs Southwestern's Opera Theatre and the Chamber Vocal Ensemble, Camerata Pirata. He helped start the Early Music Ensemble last spring. Many of his voice majors go on to graduate school to teach, perform or both. Cain certainly knows about the latter. Prior to joining Southwestern's faculty in 1996, he spent 16 years in Chicago teaching by day and singing professionally at night.

Born in Austin and raised in Abilene, Cain started singing as a "little cherub in the church choir" at age four. In high school, his musical interests were split between singing and playing trombone in the school band. At the time, he entertained thoughts of being a band director.

"I eventually realized I would be a better singer than trombonist, but I didn't give it up completely until my junior year in college." That year at McMurry University, his voice teacher convinced him to focus on his voice. It paid off in his acceptance to Indiana University, one of the nation's top schools for opera and classical singing. And it was there as an apprentice with the Chautauqua Opera that the baritone's singing career truly began.

After earning his master of music degree in vocal performance, Cain accepted a teaching position at a junior college in Chicago. "I didn't feel ready for New York, and I didn't want to come home to Texas because I didn't sing country. Chicago offered me the opportunity to work professionally and teach part-time."

He taught at College of Dupage, Columbia College, Roosevelt University and Northern Illinois University before earning his doctor of music degree from Northwestern University in 1996 and accepting a faculty position at Southwestern. "I had decided that I would only consider leaving Chicago if it meant coming back home to Texas, and it has worked out wonderfully."

Cain still sings professionally when he can fit it into his hectic schedule. He has traveled back to Chicago for summer stints with the Grand Park Symphony Chorus and La Opera Piccolo. In Austin, he has sung with the Austin Lyric Opera, Austin Symphony and Austin Vocal Arts. He regularly sings at Austin's University Methodist as well. For the past five years, he has directed the San Gabriel Chorale in Georgetown. The chorus, which is open to the community, consists of 35 members and performs two concerts annually.