Dr. Richard Conant, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, earned degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Maryland, and the University of Texas. He sang professionally with Robert Shaw, the Roger Wagner Chorale, and the U.S. Army Chorus.

Dr. Conant came to the University of South Carolina in 1973. He is the founder of USC's "Carolina Alive", a performing pop/ dance troupe. Under his direction this exciting group performed in Greece, Egypt, Rumania, Mexico, and the World Expo '88 in Australia. Carolina Alive also performed on cruise ships enroute to the Bahamas, at Disney World, in Nashville and numerous other areas in the United States.

Dr. Conant's rendition of the National Anthem, was renowned as he performed at many political, civic, and athletic, and University events. In 1987 Dr. Conant was invited to sing for Pope John Paul II during his visit to South Carolina. Dr. Conant entertained numerous celebrities and dignitaries, including Presidents Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Vice-President Dan Quayle, as well as several Prime Ministers, ambassadors, governors, senators, and generals. In 1990 Dr. Conant sang and conducted during President George Bush's visit to South Carolina. He performed for many celebrities including Bill Cosby, Danny Kaye, Walter Cronkite, Art Linkletter, and Pearl Bailey.

Dr. Conant traveled the world appearing in numerous oratorio, symphonic, and operatic performances. In 1988, Dr. Conant and pianist Raymond Dudley toured the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Hawaii, giving concerts, masterclasses, and interviews. In 1991, he made his Carnegie Hall debut as the baritone soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony, followed by a concert tour in Czechoslovakia, Vienna, and East Germany, and a recording of the 9th Symphony for a compact disc recording that was released worldwide. In July of 1992, Dr. Conant was the baritone soloist for 13 concerts in Spain. For these concerts he performed with the radio and television orchestra of Moscow and various choral groups for a tour organized by Mid-America Productions of New York City. In the spring of 2000, Dr. Conant sang in Cuba and later at an International Choral Festival at the Black Sea in Bulgaria, with repeat performances in 2001 and 2002. Following a concert tour through Italy he again performed in Bulgaria in 2004.

In addition to performing, Dr. Conant judged choral competitions, presented workshops, and served a guest conductor in various locations including Florida, New Orleans, Gatlinburg, Washington, Atlanta, New York, St. Louis, the Bahamas, and on cruise ships.

At his Koger Center for the Arts Retirement show in 2002, Dr. Conant was presented with the Governor's Order of the Palmetto, the State's highest civilian award.