Biography
Mexican-American tenor Kevin Arratia-Diaz received his Associates of Fine Arts in Music in 2020 from Blinn College in Brenham, Tx. While at Blinn, Kevin studied under Renowned Coloratura Soprano, Soo Yeon Kim and later the esteemed Cheryl Parrish in San Marcos, TX in 2021.
Starting in 2022, Kevin has worked with companies including OPERA San Antonio, Austin Opera, Texas Opera Concert Collective, One Ounce Opera, LOLA (Local Opera Local Artists), Gilbert and Sullivan Austin, and summer opera programs La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy (2022) and Saluzzo Opera Academy in Saluzzo, Italy (2024).
He has performed roles including; TV Announcer (The Manchurian Candidate), Oronte (Alcina), Gherardo (Gianni Schicchi), Leonard (The Yeomen of the Guard), Monsieur Vogelsang (Der Schauspieldirektor), Frederic (Concert setting of The Pirates of Penzance), Luka (LOLA workshop of Un Cuento de Luces y Sombras), Federico (Austin Opera's first Workshop of El Rebozo), Dr. Craven (scenes from The Secret Garden) and Falke (Scenes from Die Fledermaus).
Kevin has also been a featured soloist in choral works such as; Selections from The Creation, The Messiah, Cantata 22 by J. S. Bach, Christmas Cantata by Arcangelo Corelli and The Passing of the Year by Jonathan Dove. Also, performed with choral groups Vocem Cordis and Un/Heard, a new Chamber Ensemble in Austin, TX which advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community. On top of working as a hired performer, Kevin has also performed recitals he organized himself such as; Nel Giardino di Italia (fundraising recital for La Musica Lirica), A Journey through Heartache (Different songs put together in telling a flowing story of unrequited love) and Viaggio a Saluzzo (Fundraising recital for Saluzzo Opera Academy).
During his first year at Blinn, Kevin was tenor section leader for Chamber, Concert, and Men’s Choirs, which was put together by Kevin. He was also chosen to be a part of his first All State experience as Tenor 1 for the annual Texas Music Education Association in San Antonio, TX (2017, 2019) and one of three chosen to represent the voice department in the annual Honor’s Recital for distinguished music students. He was also cast in Blinn’s concert setting of The Pirates of Penzance in 2018, Kevin was chosen to sing the male lead, Frederic, as his first ever operatic role.
While growing in the classical field at Blinn, he was hired for his first Choral Scholar position as tenor section leader, worship leader and as a selected singer for Vespers Services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brenham under the direction of Erich L. Knapp. During his time at this church, Kevin learned many styles such as Gregorian chant, aleatoric, leading contemporary worship and was given opportunities to be a featured soloist for many sacred works by Bach, Handel and more. During his last semester at Blinn, Kevin was introduced to well-known American songwriter, session guitarist, recording artist, producer, and author John Beland. John Beland hired Kevin to be the vocalist for his demo, Monterey Rain (found on SoundCloud/Music Tab above)
Kevin's love and appreciation for classical music didn't begin until he started his musical journey in college. His first love and attraction was musical theatre and popular music which drew him to singing and performing. Kevin plans to also participate in Musical theatre style and release his own original music (in the works) in the near future.
*Currently based in Austin, Tx*