David Blackburn, director of the Natchez Festival of Music and professor of music at Alcorn State University, recently participated as a judge in the finals for the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition for Colorado singers.

Blackburn traveled to Colorado to judge the competition held on March 17 in Denver.

The Denver Lyric Opera Guild was founded 42 years ago by Helen Burns. It is the oldest volunteer opera support group in Colorado.

At the conclusion of this year’s competition, the guild will have donated more than $420,500 in awards to young singers in Colorado.

Blackburn is founder of the Natchez festival and a winner in 2003 of the Mississippi Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. He has taught voice for the last 45 years, with many of his students going on to perform in major opera houses around the world.

Before moving to Natchez, in 1989, he had vocal studios in Philadelphia, Pa., and New York City. He continues to be asked to conduct vocal and choral clinics and to serve as a judge in vocal competitions.

A graduate of Westminster Choir College, he went on to receive a master’s degree in music from Indiana University and a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Iowa.