For the Love of Mike: USM鈥檚 Lopinto Hailed for Inspiring Work in the Arts
Wed, 12/18/2024 - 01:55pm
It鈥檚 a Saturday at the Rock on the campus of 91少女集中营 (USM). The first half has just ended when you hear that distinct, signature sound - 鈥淟adies and Gentleman, taking the field, it鈥檚 your band, The Pride of Mississippi!鈥� In a resonant and commanding voice, Dr. Mike Lopinto heralds the arrival of the beloved marching band and Dixie Darlings. It鈥檚 a voice that fans recognize immediately but many more know that the man behind the voice is a powerhouse creative artist, a fixture on both the Southern Miss campus and in the community.
That compelling vocality belies his abilities in production, design, direction promotion, and innate ability to spin almost anything he touches into gold. He is the force behind unforgettable, award-winning designs that have impacted so many. From football stadiums and billboards to chamber music and postcards, epic concert events to intimate gatherings, if you live in the area, it is very likely you encounter something his hands touched on an almost daily basis. Most notably, his outlets include performances at Southern Miss School of Music and Mississippi鈥檚 only multi-week, multi-genre annual arts event, FestivalSouth, but extend to regional and national locales.
Southern Miss School of Music Director Dr. Colin McKenzie regards Lopinto as 鈥渙ne of the most diversely talented people I鈥檝e had the pleasure of knowing.鈥濃��
鈥淲hile his official title is PR/marketing and event coordinator, the reality is that Mike is heavily involved in many facets of our creative work in the School of Music,鈥� McKenzie continued. 鈥淥f the many accomplishments he has garnered, the most continuously impressive and inspiring thing about Mike, to me, is his dedication to and love for 91少女集中营. We鈥檙e richly fortunate to have him here.鈥�
Lopinto has done nearly everything possible with the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra, from performing as a bassoonist during his undergraduate years to coordinating its public relations and marketing during and after graduating with his doctorate from USM. During that time, he designed and coordinated multiple arts galas, sang leading roles with Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera, and helped develop festivals and events. The sheer volume of it all leaves many asking: What can鈥檛 he do?
鈥淒on鈥檛 ask me to fix your car,鈥� quips Lopinto 鈥渂ut if you need anything that deals with artistic products, it just comes naturally to me.鈥�
For his longtime efforts as an educator and leader in the enhancement of the local culture and arts landscape, Lopinto was recently named the recipient of the American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions Performing Arts鈥� 2024 American Prize Winner in Musical Theatre Direction, a recognition of exceptional contributions to the musical arts.
While he鈥檚 humbled by the recognition, Lopinto says it鈥檚 simply the result of a lifelong passion for working in the arts that he would never actually describe as 鈥榳ork.鈥�
鈥淲hat I do is driven by a passion for all things creative and channeling that passion into bringing high-quality arts and entertainment to a community that has embraced me and what I love doing. It鈥檚 so intrinsic to who I am that I could not imagine it any other way.鈥�
鈥淐reativity is what drives me forward 鈥� the ability to see beyond what the world gives us and imagine it in a completely different way.鈥�
The New Orleans native says he grew up 鈥渁lways making things and putting on shows 鈥� magic shows, parties, singing, dancing, acting鈥� and found his love of music performing with his high school band, while also working backstage, performing in school and community theatre. 鈥淓ventually those worlds would merge, and I performed in more and more places, all the while doing advertising for my parent鈥檚 restaurant,鈥� he said.
Lopinto has served in a variety of other roles in the arts at the university and in the Hattiesburg area over the decades, beginning as a bassoon player with the Southern Miss School of Music in 1986. After earning bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in music education and performance respectively, Lopinto left Hattiesburg for Austin, Texas where he taught in successful secondary school band programs for a decade, winning state and national honors. His work there also included designing band drills, apparel, costumes, uniforms, props and shows; during this time, he also began serving as a contest judge for Winter Guard International and Drum Corp International.
A serious health challenge forced Lopinto to give up his teaching career and return home to Mississippi, something that proved to be a physical, but even more emotional setback. Ironically, it was his artistic core where he would find solace and a path that would ultimately save him.
鈥淭he culture at USM prepared me to be ready for lots of things. However, my bout with autoimmune hemolytic anemia almost ended me,鈥� Lopinto recounted. 鈥淚 only and forever saw myself as a teacher 鈥� a band director. That was my life鈥檚 goal. When the ability to do that was taken from me, I was truly despondent. I only knew music. And, ultimately, that鈥檚 what brought me back from the brink.鈥�
On a visit to Southern Miss during his recovery, he met with former university Symphony Orchestra Director Dr. Jay Dean, who was his undergraduate mentor. Dean asked him to return to assist with public relations and marketing with the symphony while Lopinto pursued his Doctorate of Musical Arts. Lopinto then moved on to the Southern Miss College of Arts and Sciences鈥� dean鈥檚 office to promote arts for the entire university, while also founding the Hub City Players theatrical group with Southern Miss alum Tammy Mansfield.
鈥淭he [Southern Miss] School of Music is my family,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey were supportive when I needed it most. The opportunities Dr. Dean initially provided me as an undergraduate were doubled when I returned in my time of need. A combination of my own tenacity and a preparation to meet any challenge, and what this university environment fosters, keeps me ready for the next challenge.鈥�
Dean lauded his former student as 鈥渁n extraordinarily talented individual who gives 1,000 percent of his time to the arts in our community and our state.鈥� Together, the two founded FestivalSouth, the largest community project of the Hattiesburg Concert Association, celebrating 16 years of creating a variety of musical and other arts-related entertainment to the area.
鈥淢ike Lopinto has never ceased to amaze me with both the quantity and quality of his work for 91少女集中营, Hattiesburg Concert Association, Hattiesburg Civic Association, the city of Hattiesburg, and state of Mississippi,鈥� Dean continued. 鈥淗e is extremely talented and a treasure in our community. He touches on all aspects of the arts in Hattiesburg and is largely responsible for the cultural image and reputation this community has developed.鈥濃��
Staunch supporters of university and community arts productions readily echo Drs. McKenzie and Dean鈥檚 sentiments, including Lisa Conn and her husband Dr. Rick Conn; Dr. Alan Lucas and his wife Melinda; and Susan Slaughter.
As big fans of the award-winning musical drama Jersey Boys, the Conns supported Lopinto鈥檚 efforts to bring the show to Southern Miss and Hattiesburg earlier this year through FestivalSouth.
鈥淭o know Mike Lopinto is to know if he鈥檚 involved in anything concerning the arts in the Hattiesburg area, it鈥檚 going to be done professionally, and audiences will leave impressed and ready to return for more,鈥� Lisa Conn said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a good friend and someone who has made, and continues to make, an invaluable contribution to the quality of life of the Pine Belt.鈥�
Dr. Lucas, who first got to know Lopinto when he was coordinating the local Mardi Gras program "Zeus鈥� said 鈥渢here aren鈥檛 enough words to describe how lucky we are here at Southern Miss and in the Hattiesburg area to have someone as talented as Mike Lopinto involved with the arts.鈥�
鈥淗is attention to detail and creativity are unmatched,鈥� Lucas continued. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to hear of his recognition with the American Prize for Direction for all the hard work he鈥檚 done and continues doing. He鈥檚 very deserving.鈥�
Slaughter has assisted Lopinto for several years with numerous Southern Miss and FestivalSouth productions as a community volunteer, earning her a 鈥淔estivalSouth Maestra鈥� designation from him for her work and support.
鈥淢ike鈥檚 contributions to advancing the arts in the Hattiesburg area are unmatched in my opinion,鈥� Slaughter said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a masterful visionary with a unique ability to bring people together to support and execute performing arts events in our community. I find him to be artistically gifted and fun to work with. Artists and patrons alike enjoy Mike鈥檚 鈥榗an do鈥� attitude and engaging spirit of community.鈥�
Long days, nights and weekends given toward multiple productions in direction, choreography, set and landscape development, community service, teaching students 鈥� all these and more are a testament to Lopinto鈥檚 love for creating experiences that delight young and old alike; reminding all of why the arts are a critical element of any community or society. In the words of an anonymous staff member with the National Endowment for the Arts, 鈥渢he arts matter because they help us to understand how鈥痺e鈥痬atter.鈥�
Lopinto heartily concurs, noting that it鈥檚 his own personal 鈥渨hy.鈥�
鈥淚f I can be just some small part of creating wonder and excitement and inspiring others like I was inspired 鈥� that鈥檚 the thing that keeps me going,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ven at my most exhausted moments, and though I might forget it sometimes, I鈥檓 incredibly fortunate to do what I love. It is my life.鈥�