Vernon directs opera, musicals and youth music theatre. He is Professor and Head of Music Theatre of the University of Gothenburg and Artistic Director of MT4Uth in Ireland. He is also a founder director of YMT:UK. In 2006 he directed SWEENEY TODD in Sweden, Verdi’s IL TROVATORE in Tbilisi, Georgia, EVITA in Germany, GUYS AND DOLLS at the Gothenburg University, four musicals for MT4Uth and an opera summer school in Italy. For the National Youth Music Theatre, for whom he was Associate Director, he directed SUCH SWEET THUNDER and THE LATE SLEEPERS, and for YMT:UK he directed RED HUNTER and LES MISERABLES.  

His professional productions in recent years include three productions of LES MISERABLES, two of MISS SAIGON, MARTIN GUERRE, NINE, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, WEST SIDE STORY, SHOWBOAT, MANON LESCAUT, two productions and a television production of ANDREA CHENIER, three productions of Hansel and Gretel and THE PEARL FISHERS, which is in its third year touring Europe. 

He has been a guest professor in many academies and colleges, including The Royal College of Music, City of Birmingham Conservatoire, Arts Ed., Stella Mann College and all the principal Scandinavian institutions. There he directed many countless operas and musicals.

Likewise, he has directed countless musicals for youth theatres over the country for 30 years. Previously he was the  Head of the Education Departments for both the Scottish Ballet and Opera North, for whom he was alos Staff Director before joining the Royal Opera House.