William Sauerland

William Sauerland, countertenor, is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies for the School of Music at Purdue University – Fort Wayne. In this role, he conducts the choral ensembles, teaches classes in music education, and supervises student teachers. Prior to this position, he served as a Lecturer in Voice at San Francisco State University and held the position of Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Chabot College in Hayward, CA, where he received an Educator of Excellence Award from the Chabot Black Scholars.

Dr. Sauerland's teaching experience extends to his six-year tenure teaching choral music at Lick-Wilmerding High School. Additionally, he served as the Associate Music Director for the Grammy Award-winning Pacific Boychoir Academy.

Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for his "limpid tone and astonishing eloquence," Dr. Sauerland remains active as a professional countertenor. His recent solo appearances include collaborations with esteemed ensembles such as the American Bach Soloists, Festival Opera Company, Folger Consort, Handel Opera Project, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, Oakland Symphony Orchestra, and Pacific Chorale. He was also a former member of the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer and has performed extensively worldwide, recording multiple albums for Warner Classics.

Dr. Sauerland received the Doctorate of Education in College Teaching of Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. As a Marshall Scholarship recipient, he earned a Master of Music (MMus) and Post-Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Advanced Vocal Performance from the Royal College of Music in London. Born in Indiana and raised on a small dairy farm in Ohio, he received his Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.