A Voice for Our Time:

JOHN HOLIDAY in Discussion and Masterclass

Join NATS-LA for an inspiring discussion and masterclass featuring acclaimed countertenor John Holiday, exploring artistry, technique, and the evolving professional landscape for singers. Holiday joins us from LA Opera, where he is currently singing the title role in Philip Glass’s Akhnaten.

Countertenor John Holiday has established himself as “one of the finest countertenors of his generation” (Los Angeles Times). His voice has been praised as “a thing of astonishing beauty” (The New Yorker), “arrestingly powerful, secure, and dramatically high” (The Wall Street Journal), and “timeless” (The Washington Post). His artistry and personal journey have been featured by The New Yorker, CNN’s Great Big Story, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, and the Los Angeles Times.

Holiday’s 2025–26 season includes his debut at Washington National Opera as Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), a return to LA Opera in the title role of Akhnaten, and appearances at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Die Fledermaus (Prince Orlovsky) and Alcina (Ruggiero). On the concert stage, he joins the New York Philharmonic for Handel’s Messiah, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for Joe Hisaishi’s End of the World, and curates a concert series with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra featuring repertoire from the Great American Songbook. He also appears in recital at Spivey Halland Susquehanna University.

Recent highlights include his debut as Farnace (Mitridate, re di Ponto) at Boston Lyric Opera, the title role of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten at Komische Oper Berlin (dir. Barrie Kosky), tours with The English Concert and Harry Bicket as Tolomeo (Giulio Cesare), and performances with the San Francisco Symphony, BBC Proms, and Amsterdam Sinfonietta. He has appeared frequently at the Bayerische Staatsoper, The Metropolitan Opera (The Hours), and major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Barbican Centre, Lincoln Center, and the Philharmonie de Paris.

Equally at home across genres, Holiday created The John Holiday Experience, a concert project blending classical, jazz, pop, and R&B. He has opened for Jason Mraz, performed at the Apollo Theater, and appeared at high-profile events including the Ozwald Boateng Harlem Runway Show.

Holiday is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Marian Anderson Vocal Award, prizes from OPERALIA, the Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition, and the Richard Tucker Foundation, and was named one of WQXR’s “20 for ’20 Artists to Watch.” In 2023, he was appointed Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Maryland School of Music.

A native of Rosenberg, Texas, John Holiday holds degrees from Southern Methodist University, the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, and The Juilliard School.

REGISTER BELOW TO ATTEND

IMPORTANT! As this is an intimate venue with limited seating, please be sure to purchase tickets here online IN ADVANCE to be assured a seat. Registration alone does NOT guarantee you will be seated. Only those who have purchased tickets in advanced will be guaranteed a seat.

General Admission - $30

NATS-LA Member - $15

Student - $10 (Student ID must be presented at entry)