Coachella Valley Classical Voices Founding Director and bass-baritone Doug Nagel is a Montana native. Nagel sang over 80 operatic baritone roles in his singing career including Count, Scarpia, Dracula, Dutchman, Magnifico, Monterone, Tabor, John Proctor, Renato, Bartolo, Giovanni, Pasquale, Figaro, Leporello, Marcello, Schicchi and Germont. Doug recently returned to Billings to sing John the Baptist and direct Rimrock Opera’s production of Salome.

Doug premiered the role of Theseus in Roumanis’ Phaedra, broadcast on PBS. International attention came when he created the role of de Santander in the Virginia Opera world premiere of Musgrave’s Simon Bolìvar, later singing the production at the Royal Albert Hall, London, broadcast on the BBC. Mr. Nagel is heard on Albany Records in Nosferatu as the title role of Orlock (Dracula).

Before directing Rimrock Opera, Doug was the Artistic Director of Rogue Opera, Medford, and Opera Idaho, Boise. Nagel was the Artistic Director of Rimrock Opera from 2000-2014, where he guided 26 productions including Aïda, Così, Traviata, Butterfly, Crucible, Barber, Merry Widow, Bohème, Figaro, Girl of the Golden West, Elixir, Tosca, and Carmen. Doug has judged the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and sat on the NEA Opera Grant Committee.

Mr. Nagel is a retired Associate Professor of Music from MSU Billings. Residing in the Coachella Valley with his husband, Steve Baker, a longtime member of Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC), Doug proudly serves as the Vocal Coach for PSGMC. Mr. Nagel has a large voice studio and many of his students sing in local choruses and leading roles in local Theater Companies.