Tenor Manuel Castillo

Manuel M. Castillo was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. His musical beginnings were in 1992 when invited by Maestro Pedro Bocotán to join the Coro de la Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG). He was appointed the conductor of the Omnes Gentes Choir during the decade of 1994-2004: he also conducted the Children's Choir of the UAG Antonio Caso Elementary School from 1998-2004.

He initiated his musical career at the Escuela Superior de Música Sagrada from 1993-1998. In 2004-2006 he enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin and in 2006-2007 transferred to Morehead State University, graduating from the latter institution in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. Manuel holds a Master in Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky.

Manuel has studied voice with recognized teachers such as tenors Flavio Becerra, Dr. Harlan Snow, baritones David Small and Dr. Ricky Little. Manuel has performed as a soloist, singing opera, zarzuela, lied, oratorio and broadway musicals. In Guadalajara, his hometown, he created the First Masterclass'03 for Instrumental Conductors taught by Leonardo Gasparini. In August of 2003, Manuel was an active conductor during the VIII Annual International Masterclass in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In February 2007, Manuel Castillo auditioned for admission into the graduate program at The University of Kentucky and was accepted. Furthermore, he and nine others pooled from 150 singers from across the US were selected to compete in the 2007 Alltech Opera Scholarship Competition. Manuel Castillo was selected as a second alternate for the top prize (Full Graduate Assistantship, $20,000 and a leading role with The Kentucky Opera). This prestigious competition awarded him a Full Graduate Assistantship at the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre to complete graduate studies.

While studying with Professor Cynthia Lawrence, Manuel Castillo is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Vocal Performance at The University of Kentucky and also has strong interests and ties in orchestral conducting.