After a 30 year career as a performer with Broadway shows Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera and starring tenor roles in operas in six countries, Ravil "Ray" Atlas turned to his passion for teaching and research. He now lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with his Kiwi wife and 2 year old daughter. Since his arrival in New zealand in late 2009 he has been an active voice teacher, conductor and director. His work with the National Youth Choir, Burnside High School, and Invercargill arts festival have all received critical acclaim. He is now writing and hopes to be published in the areas of performance and vocal technique in mid-2012. Also in the planning stages are a PhD in vocal mechanics at the University of Otago where he conducts master classes in classical voice.