Opera Singer

Performed leading roles and concerts with renowned organizations, including the Dallas Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Opera Colorado, Nashville Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Arizona Opera, and Virginia Opera. Featured in festivals such as the Bard Music Festival and Bard Summerscape, and performed with orchestras including the Pacific Symphony and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

 

Voice Teacher, McKinney ISD and Plano ISD

Focus on vocal technique, repertoire development, and performance skills. Prepares students for All-State auditions, Solo and Ensemble Contests, and college auditions.

 

Substitute Teacher, Allen ISD

Directed the spring concert, designed lesson plans, and graded assignments.

 

Adler Fellow, San Francisco Opera

Performed 59 mainstage roles, including Masetto (Don Giovanni), Escamillo (Carmen), and Astolfo (Lucrezia Borgia). Studied Italian, French, and German for linguistic proficiency.

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EDUCATION

Academy of Vocal Arts – Artist Diploma in Opera Performance

Boston University – Master of Music in Vocal Performance

Westminster Choir College – Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance

 

AWARDS AND HONORS

1st Place, Igor Gorin Award (2013)

National Semi-Finalist, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (2011)

Grant Recipient, Licia Albanese Puccini Vocal Competition (2010)

3rd Place Winner, Gerda Lissner Foundation Vocal Competition (2010)

Encouragement Award, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (2008)

Harmon Award, Chautauqua Opera (2008)

 

NOTABLE CONDUCTORS

Gustavo Dudamel, Emmanuel Villaume, Nicola Luisotti, Carlo Montanaro, Steven White, Antony Walker, Marco Zambelli, Leon Botstein, Ari Pelto, Andrew Bizantz, Riccardo Frizza, Giuseppe Finzi, John DeMain, Robert Wood, Keitaro Harada, Joel Revzen

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Member, American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), in good standing.

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REVIEWS​

Dallas Observer - “Ryan Kuster as the Old Hebrew was especially sympathetic with a full and rich voice.”​

Opera Today - “Ryan Kuster gave a strong impression as the handsome and charismatic celebrity, Escamillo. The difficult tessitura of the Toreador Song seemed easy for him as he sang it to his fans at Lillas Pastia’s Tavern.”​

Wall Street Journal - “Baritone Ryan Kuster brought a venomous enthusiasm to Lysiart; he was especially good in his potent Act II aria.”