The American tenor, West Hunter, studied Music - Voice at College of Central Florida in Ocala (2007-2010). While there, he worked as Office Aide at the College (June 2008-August 2010). He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and a minor in Germanic Studies the University of Maryland, College Park (2010-2013); and his Master of Music degree in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee (2013-May 2015). While attending the University of Maryland he made his operatic stage debut as Monostatos in W.A. Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with Hub Opera Ensemble.
Wes Hunter has been Tenor Section Leader/Soloist at Christ Lutheran Church, Washington DC (January 2011-May 2013); Apprentice Artist at Sarasota Opera in Florida (January 2017-March 2018); Tenor Section Leader/Soloist at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Boston (from Sepember 2013). He is active as a freelance singer since 2013. Praised for his "drama, heart, and shining tone," he is emerging as a charismatic interpreter of both standard repertoire and new works. He now resides in Boston where he performs a variety of styles ranging from Baroque opera to new concert works. Hunter debuted his solo cabaret to a sold-out audience at Club Café in Boston, featuring various selections from musical theatre composers.
Recent highlights include the title character in Rossini's Le Comte Ory with Lowell House Opera, Oronte in George Frideric Handel's Alcina with Opera del West, Gastone in Verdi's La Traviata with Southern Vermont Lyric Theatre, the workshop of Julian Wachner's Rev 23 with Beth Morrison Projects, and Laurie in Adamo's Little Women with MassOpera. Hunter also premiered the role of Eugene in the The Body Politic by New York composer Leo Hurley with Juventas New Music Ensemble.
Other credits include covering Gastone in La Traviata with Sarasota Opera, Count Almaviva (cover) in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Boston Midsummer Opera, Goro (cover) in Madama Butterfly with Martina Arroyo's Prelude to Performance, Lindoro in Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri as well as Tom Rakewell (cover) in Igor Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress with The Boston Conservatory, and Monostatos in W.A. Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with Raylynmor Opera.
A versatile artist, Wes Hunter was featured in a concert with renowned counter-tenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, performing pieces by composer Nico Muhly, produced by Beth Morrison Projects. He made his New England debut as a concert soloist joining the Newburyport Choral Society in performances of W.A. Mozart's Mass in C minor and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music. Other concert repertoire performed includes G.F. Handel's Messiah with Belmont Open Sings, W.A. Mozart's Requiem with the Paul Madore Chorale, Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, and Schubert's Mass in G in Washington, D.C. His engagements have taken him around the greater DC Metropolitan area to Christ Lutheran Church, St. Luke's Church, St. Ambrose Catholic Church, and the Takoma Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church. |