Genaro Mendez, Jr

D.M.A. University of Oregon; M.M. University of Illinois; B.M. University of Nevada, Reno

Mexican-American lyric tenor Genaro Méndez enjoys a versatile and wide-ranging career as a leading operatic tenor, chamber and solo recitalist, conductor, director, and professor of voice.

On the opera stage, Dr. Méndez’s performances include roles such as Nadir in Les pêcheurs de perles, Tybalt in Roméo et Juliette, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Ramiro in La Cenerentola, Alfredo in La traviata, Quint in The Turn of the Screw, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Beppe in Pagliacci, Borsa in Rigoletto, Emperor Altoum in Turandot, and King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Equally at home in musical theatre, he has appeared as Teen Angel in Grease, El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Lippo in Street Scene, Junior Babcock in Mame, and Rubber Face in Showboat. His upcoming credits include the role of Kevin Rosario in In the Heights.

As an oratorio and chamber music soloist, Dr. Méndez has been featured in a diverse array of masterworks, including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, & Strings, Bach’s Magnificat, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Paukenmesse, Mozart’s Requiem, and Valls’ Missa Scala Aretina. He has performed Handel’s Messiah as well as El Mesías, featuring a Spanish-language libretto by Mario Montenegro. Noted as an expert recitalist specializing in Spanish-language song, Dr. Méndez has appeared in concerts internationally. Extending his talents as a conductor and director, he has served as stage director for productions including Menotti’s The Medium and has collaborated with The University of Kansas University Theatre as music director for The Fantasticks and A Little Night Music.

A Nevada native, Dr. Méndez began his musical studies and performing career under the late master voice teacher and Nevada Opera founder, Ted Puffer. Under Maestro Puffer’s guidance, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Reno and performed in over thirty Nevada Opera productions, advancing from chorus member to comprimario and leading tenor roles. He continued his graduate studies at the University of Illinois, where he performed on the 1990–1997 United States tour of the complete songs of Franz Schubert alongside world-renowned vocal coach John Wustman. He later earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oregon, where he studied under mezzo-soprano Milagro Vargas.

Currently serving as a Professor of Voice at The University of Kansas, Dr. Méndez is a dedicated pedagogue specializing in vocal technique, diction, and repertoire. His students frequently place in regional and national voice competitions, secure international apprenticeships, and sing leading roles with major opera companies. Many of his students have transitioned into influential leadership roles within the industry, serving as college voice faculty, arts administrators, and directors for prestigious opera companies.