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Event
Justin Gonzalez: "Telling Stories"
Known for his "expressive mastery," Philadelphia's "treasured tenor," Justin Gonzalez, has been performing for audiences for over a decade. Justin got his first taste of the professional stage when, at the age of 11, he was asked to sing at Philadelphia's famed Academy of Music with Grammy award-winning artist Peter Nero and the Philly Pops.
Two years later, Mr. Gonzalez was a featured soloist on a musical tour of Germany and France, where he had the opportunity to perform in a number of castles and houses of worship, including the cathedral, Notre Dame, in Paris.
During the span of his high school career as a musician, Justin performed for President Bill Clinton, PA Governor Rendell, Philadelphia Mayor John Street, and many other dignitaries.
In his senior year of high school, at the age of 17, Justin joined the stage with Masters-level vocalists from both the Academy of Vocal Arts and the Curtis Institute of Music to sing in a master class with internationally renowned Mezzo-Soprano Marilyn Horne. Due to his young age, Justin's involvement was specially arranged by the School District of Philadelphia, the Academy of Vocal Arts and the Curtis Institute of Music.
After graduating high school, Justin began his training at the Philadelphia's University of the Arts, with voice teacher Reginald Pindell. Midway through his second semester, Justin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which caused him to cease studies.
He was concentrating on his health for two years and then, returned to private study with his first voice teacher, Holly Phares. Over the years, Justin enjoyed many performances with the Philadelphia Singers and the Philadelphia Orchestra, one which included being joined by opera stars Ben Hepner, Angela Brown and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rod Stewart. The event was made all the more special by having Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles in attendance.
During his five years as part of the musical ministry team of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE, under the direction of organist Paul Fleckenstein, Justin was a featured soloist on two European tours covering Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. While in Salzburg, Gonzalez was a featured soloist in Mozart's Missa Brevis in D Major K. 192, which was performed in the historic Salzburg Cathedral where Mozart was baptized.
Justin has competed in a number of vocal competitions over the years. In 2011, he was an Encouragement Grant recipient in the Career Bridges Competition held in New York City. In 2012, the Career Bridges Competition asked Justin to perform in a Gala performance off of Central Park in New York City. There was veritable Who's Who of the New York opera scene in attendance.
After setting a strong foundation, Justin's career has been peppered with a number of prominent recitals, concerts, and other performances. In 2010, he was a featured singer at the National Constitution Center's Liberty Medal presentation to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, where President Bill Clinton was a speaker. In 2012, Justin joined internationally renowned organist Diane Bisch during an organ dedication in Hellertown, PA.
In the last four years, Justin has been steadily making the transition from opera to oratorio, performing as a featured soloist in Faures Requiem, singing the baritone role, Mozart's Requiem, Verdi's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Will Todd's Mass in Blue, Alice Parker's Melodious Accord, and Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio.
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LocationGlen Foerd on the Delaware (View)
5001 Grant Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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