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The Mexican-American counter-tenor, José Luis Muñoz, obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in in both Vocal and Piano Performance from California State University, Stanislaus (1994-1998); and his Artist Diploma in Early Music Studies from Cornish College of the Arts (2011-2013). He was the recipient of Wisler String Scholarship for his work as assistant principal violist with the Stanislaus Symphony. He is a past winner in the California Opera Association Competition.
José Luis Muñoz has been described as “a fabulous countertenor” with “amazing, powerful expression.” He is often heard premiering and creating new works and principal roles in such works as Mauricio Sotelo’s opera Dulcinea (Modesto, Winter 2022), Bless Me, Ultima (Albuquerque, Winter 2018), Juana (San Francisco), Monticello Wakes (Los Angeles, Fall 2015), Yoshinaka (Seattle, Fall 2014), Kakitsubata (Cologne, Germany, Summer 2014), and Magda G for (Fall 2012) which he was featured in the Los Angeles Times. A versatile performer, his other work includes: Melissa in Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall’Isola d’Alcina, George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, W.A. Mozart’s Requiem and Missa Brevis K275 (Fall 2013); J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor BWV 232, Matthäus-Passion BWV 244, Magnificat in D major, BWV 243; Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Leonard Bernstein’s Missa Brevis (Spring 2013).
This versatility has allowed José Luis Muñoz to work with organizations such as: Seattle Opera, Opera Southwest, Harmonia Orchestra and Chorsu, Musikpunkt Koeln (Germany), Opera Modesto, Portland Symphonic Choir, City Opera Ballet, Queen City Musicians, Bellingham Chamber Chorale, Orcas Choral Society, Seattle Early Music Guild, E.O.S. Opera (Germany), Federal Way Symphony, Washburn Symphony (Topeka), San Francisco Baroque Opera, First Congregational Church Music Series (Berkeley), Mission Cultural Center (San Francisco), Theater Artaud (San Francisco), Foro Cultural Coyoacanense Hugo Argüelles (Mexico D.F., Mexico), the Ludinghaüsen Summer Art Festival (Germany), among others.
During his 2021-2022 season José Luis Muñoz' work has included: G.F. Handel’s Messiah with Harmonia Orchestra and Chorus, the lead role of Don Quijote in the USA premiere of Mauricio Sotelo’s opera Dulcinea, he returned to the stage to sing The Owl in Hector Armienta’s opera Bless Me, Ultima, the world premiere of El Mesías: Messiah for a New World with the Bach Collegium San Diego, John Adams’ Grand Pianola Music with the Auburn Sympohony Orchestra, and the role of Elijah in Daniel Worlfert’s A Stranger at the Door with Seattle Opera.
José Luis Muñoz' recent and upcoming work includes a collaborative recital with concert pianist Elaine Kown; G.F. Handel’s Messiah with Symphony Tacoma; Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and the west coast premiere of Marco Rosano’s Stabat Mater with Music at Epiphany; J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D major BWV 243 with Harmonia Orchestra & Chorus and Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 with Bach Collegium San Diego; and Modesto Opera’s 40th Anniversary Gala, Orlofsky in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus with Modesto Opera, and Bargain Countertenor in P.D.Q. Bach’s Iphigenia in Brooklyn and J.S. Bach's Cantata Ich Habe Genug BWV 82 with Seattle Philharmonic..
José Luis Muñoz resides in Seattle, Washington, where he has been Private Music Instructor at Ballard Academy (January 2012-January 2013); Vocal Soloist & Choral Section Leader at Epiphany Episcopal Church (2012-August 2014); Music Director at Our Lady of Guadalupe Episcopal (2014-May 2016); Vocal Soloist & Section Leader at St Thomas Episcopal Church (September 2017-June 2019); Soloist & Section Leader at Epiphany Episcopal (since September 2019). He is the owner of his own private teaching studio, the JLM Music Academy (since 1998). His students have sung lead roles and works with Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Opera, and San Francisco Opera and have participated in programs such as Berklee Summer Programs, Tanglewood Institute, and Interlochen Center for the Arts. |
