School of Music Instructor featured in Modern Singer Magazine
Justin John Moniz, coordinator of vocal studies at Millikin University, was recently the featured artist in Modern Singer Magazine. Moniz will lead a Modern Singer Magazine webinar on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. on how to successfully "crossover."
Celebrated for his "superb high tenor" and "commanding stage presence,” Moniz has been thrilling audiences in opera houses, theaters and concert halls across the nation. His unique style and versatility have afforded him an active career in opera, concert and musical theatre, having sung over 80 roles to date.
"My work as a teacher has greatly complimented my work as a singing actor," said Moniz. "My work as a professional singer has heavily influenced my teachings."
Prior to his appointment at Millikin, Moniz was a member of the faculty at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. A clinician in high demand, Moniz has been invited to present masterclasses and workshops across the United States and Asia. His students have been praised for their ability to bring "a veteran performer's assurance and personality" to the stage, and have gone onto perform on Broadway, national yours and regionally.
Moniz currently serves as executive director of the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, where he is also a member of the voice faculty and stage director for one of the festival's three mainstage productions. Under his leadership and artistic vision, the organization surpassed recent financial goals, and yielded the highest student recruitment in the festival's 13-year history.
"I'm excited to build on the fine traditions both the arts festival and Millikin have established over the years," said Moniz. "It's my goal to bring new efforts to the current training modules and continue the discussion to how best prepare our students for careers in the 21st Century."
Moniz holds a holds a M.M. in Vocal Performance from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and a B.M. in Vocal Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where he was recently selected as the recipient of the 2015 Rising Star Award for having demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in the first decade following graduation.
Moniz is currently a candidate for the D.M. in Voice Performance at Florida State University, and a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Actors' Equity Association (AEA), National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), and the National Opera Association (NOA), where he recently completed two terms as Florida Governor.