The American bass, John Hines has received critical acclaim throughout the United States, Europe and Russia for his “…stunning basso profundo low notes…powerful and menacing voice…” and being “…big in height and voice…” By virtue of his well-matched physical and vocal size, to his sinuous, dark, vocal timbre, he has been the logical suitor for many of opera’s basso gods and villain roles.  His particular favorite roles include: Wotan, Hans Sachs, Baron Ochs, Sarastro, Osmin, Boris Godunov, King Philip, Scarpia, and Mephistopheles.  Hines has performed principal operatic roles with the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Cleveland Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, and the Asheville Lyric Opera to name only a few.

As a concert soloist, Hines has performed with the Russian Concert Orchestra of St. Petersburg (Russia), Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Greater Lansing Symphony,Muncie Symphony, Napa Valley Philharmonic, Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria.  With an oratorio repertory of over 50 major works, he is a frequent soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Creation, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Choral Fantasia and the Requiem Masses of Mozart, Faurè and Verdi.  

Born in New Washington, Ohio, Hines received his undergraduate degree in music education from Heidelberg College and his graduate degrees in vocal performance from Kent State University, and The Shenandoah University Conservatory of Music.  In addition to his graduate studies, Hines also studied at The American Institute of Music Studies in Graz, Austria and at the acclaimed Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana.   In 2006, Hines joined the music faculty at The University of Northern Iowa.  Previous teaching appointments include Cornerstone University, Taylor University, Ball State University and Pittsburg State University. 

Hines resides in Cedar Falls with his wife and their two children.