A large piano dominates the triangular fine arts center office of Robert Wayne Pope.

Pope, an associate music professor, said he can’t play the piano very well.

But this musical deficiency matters little to someone who’s been attached to his instrument since birth.

Pope teaches opera theater to Western students who are willing to have their voices resound from an opera house to a music lover’s heart.

His daughter, Bowling Green sophomore Caitlin Pope, is one of his students.

Caitlin Pope sings opera theatre like her father. She said she also plans on becoming a music teacher.

His 14-year-old son Will has also become involved in a family musical tradition.

Robert Pope’s father brought his son a guitar when he was 5 years old. Will has recently picked up the guitar and can play “Hotel California” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” Pope said.

But the elder Pope moved on to other instruments and music styles once he got the hang of the guitar.

“Casual use of music led to harder use of music,” Pope said.

Middle and high school bands helped him get the musical fix he needed.

Pope’s high school choral leader introduced him to opera. Like many of the kids in the choir, Pope wanted to do anything but opera.

But the challenge opera presented interested him. Pope’s introduction to the classical music style led him to teach opera at Western.

For Pope, opera is a way to apply his singing in an artistic form.

He said he appreciates the voices, character, sheer talent and ability opera singers have.

People would be more interested in opera if they knew there was more than one kind, Pope said.

“There are many types of opera as anything else,” he said.

Opera is the quintessential art that joins theatre, music, dance and creative writing, Pope said.

Pope, a baritone, has sung everywhere from South Carolina to Italy.

He premiered an oratorio, or opera with no storyline, for the celebration of the martyrdom of Polycarp in July 2005 in La chiesa nuova, or the new church, in Rome.

Family members have approached Pope after one of his performances and marveled at the power of his voice.

“I know you did that, but I didn’t know you did that,” a family member told him.

Pope got his master’s degree in vocal performance from Loyola University in New Orleans. He received his doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina.

Pope got his undergraduate degree at Murray State University, where he met his wife, Beth.

Robert Pope’s guitar skills and song writing attracted Beth Pope, she said.

They both played trumpet for Murray State’s band. Spending so much time together helped the young couple connect, Pope said.

Pope’s trumpet playing is better than his piano skills, he said.

Pope knows he’s not a decent pianist, but loves every minute he plays.

“I play better than he does,” Beth Pope said. “He’s adequate for his needs.”

Associate Theater Professor David Young worked with Pope on several productions at Western.

He said he’s enjoyed working with Pope on shows such as “Chicago” and “Sweeney Todd” because they have a lot of the same ideas about what should go into a show.

“I just know we’re on the same page,” Young said.

Despite his lackluster piano playing, Pope keeps trying. He also plays the bass guitar for the faculty jazz quartet and the trumpet in his spare time.

“I’m beyond hope,” Pope said jokingly.

Reach Bobby Harrell at news@wkuherald.com.