Born and raised in Western Canada, Richard Williams first distinguished himself as a singer in 1981 by winning First Place in the Alberta Provincial Music Festival. This led to a Second Place at the National Festival in Toronto. Richard has been a frequent guest soloist with various choirs and orchestras throughout Western Canada, including the Pacific Spirit Choir, Belle Voci, Handel Society, SummerChor, Abbottsford Symphony, Okanagan Symphony, Prince George Symphony, Vancouver Bach Choir and Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble. 

Richard made his European debut as a professional soloist in 1992.  His many solo performances took him to some of the world's great music centers, including Frankfurt, Milan, Geneva, London, and Paris.

While in Europe, Richard continued his teaching career, with important appointments such as: Head of Vocal Studies at the International School of Geneva, Chef de Chant for the National Youth Choir of Switzerland and Chef du Choeur for Opera Studio de Genève

Richard is the founding Artistic Director of Opera Pro Cantanti. Established in 2007, OPC is Canada's first and only repertory opera company. Over the years, OPC has performed several mainstream operas multiple times in a rotating schedule that, at times saw the company performing 3 times a month! In 2027, Opera Pro Cantanti will celebrate its 20th Anniversary.