Shawn Thuris

Tenor Shawn Thuris brings a spectrum of vocal colors and experience in seven languages to his performances in recital, with orchestra, and on the operatic stage. Roles he has portrayed include Siegmund in Die Walküre, Radamès in Aïda, Mario in Tosca, Luigi in Il tabarro, and Hoffmann in Les Contes d’Hoffmann. He has sung at Orange County Performing Arts Center, Redlands Bowl Festival, UNLV, and the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center. Mr. Thuris has given many recitals of art song repertoire with pianists such as Kirill Gliadkovsky, Robert Thies, and Steven Vanhauwaert. He has been a soloist in oratorios of Bach, Handel, Lloyd Webber, and Mozart and has presented masterclasses at East Central University of Oklahoma. Mr. Thuris initially trained as a baritone with Marvin Hayes at Pomona College. He made the switch to tenor while studying with Gail Gordon at Santa Monica College, where he concluded his studies by performing a recital with orchestra in tribute to heldentenor Lauritz Melchior, with scenes from Die Meistersinger, Otello, Siegfried, and Tristan und Isolde. He has continued to refine his technique under the guidance of Dennis Parnell. In addition to these concerts with Pacific Serenades, highlights of the 2009-10 season include Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with Brooklyn Repertory Opera, Don José in Carmen with New York Opera Forum, and a song recital at Pasadena City College. Mr. Thuris lives in New York with mezzo-soprano Monica Akemi Hershenson.