It is with sadness that we share news of the passing of Peter Lightfoot, a former MSU associate professor of voice. Peter possessed a dramatic baritone that carried him through a decades-long career performing on multiple continents. Peter captivated critics and audiences alike with what Opera News called his “vocal brilliance.” Throughout his career he was recognized for his skill and performing abilities and won a National Opera Institute Grant, a Sullivan Foundation Grant and a Harp Grant. He was a first place prize winner of the Boston Opera Competition and a Luciano Pavarotti Competition finalist. Peter’s recording, An American Tapestry with pianist Dr. Deborah Moriarty, can be heard on Blue Griffin Records. His operatic roles included but were not limited to Verdi's Macbeth; Tonio in Il Pagliacci; Scarpia in Tosca, and Rigoletto in Verdi's Rigoletto. He performed with the New York City Opera, the Greater Miami Opera, the Wexford Festival, and L’Opera de Nice, to name a few. Peter taught voice at West Virginia University and the University of Southern California before joining the faculty at Michigan State University. He had a passion for working with his students and helping them on their journey to become their own best teacher, and the College of Music will miss him.