Justin Kroll appointed assistant professor of music

Justin Kroll has been appointed assistant professor of music at Luther College for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, Provost Pam Bacon announced.

Justin Kroll

“Justin’s passion for vocal instruction, extensive experience directing and performing in operas, and dedication to student success make him a welcome addition to the Luther music department,” Bacon said.

Kroll brings his considerable tenor voice and performance resume to Decorah from his current position as the assistant professor of voice and director of opera workshop at Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the music faculty at Luther College and at the opportunity to contribute to such a well-respected music program,” Kroll said. “I have admired the legacy of music making at Luther, especially that of the Nordic Choir, since my own time as a collegiate choral singer, and I am excited to be able to learn and grow with the students and faculty in Decorah to contribute to that legacy.”

As a performer, Kroll has had a wide range of recent appearances on stage from Opera Idaho to the Madison Symphony. Currently, he is a member of the Filstrup Resident Artist Company at the Tulsa Opera. He was previously an emerging artist with Opera Idaho in Boise, Idaho, and a Bonfils-Stanton Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera in Central City, Colorado.

His recent roles include Tamino in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Nemorino in Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore,” Riccardo Percy in Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena,” Cavaradossi in Puccini’s “Tosca,” Don José in Bizet’s “Carmen,” Arturo in Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” and Malcolm in Verdi’s “Macbeth.”

In competition, Kroll was a semifinalist for the 2023 Rochester International Voice Competition and earned a fourth place honor in the 39th annual Palm Springs Opera Guild Vocal Competition in Palm Springs, California. He represented the United States in a wide range of international events from the University of South Africa International Voice Competition in Pretoria to the Linus Lerner International Voice Competition in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Kroll began his academic journey in his native Texas, first with an associate of arts degree in music from McLennan Community College before earning his bachelor of music in music history and literature from Baylor University. He continued at Baylor to earn his master of music degree in voice performance. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Prior to joining NSU, he served as an instructor of voice at McLennan Community College, and presented master classes at Boise State University, University of Idaho and Brigham Young University–Idaho.