Aaron Agulay

Education

DMA, Voice Performance, Pedagogy and Literature, James Madison University
MM, Voice, Maryland Opera Studio University of Maryland
AD, Voice Performance, Oberlin Conservatory
BM, Voice Performance, Western University

Biography

Baritone, Dr. Aaron Agulay serves as the Head of Voice and Opera Studies at the Peck School of the Arts, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

He previously was on faculty with Shenandoah Conservatory and Washington State University. At WSU, Dr. Agulay was a recipient of the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Excellence award, recognizing advocates/activists for equity, inclusion and social justice and working toward the advancement of the LGBTQ+ community. He was also the recipient of The MLK Spirit award -Community, Equity and Social Justice Award for his contribution of time and effort of WSU community members advancing a climate of inclusive excellence through activism, advocacy, academic endeavors, mentoring, program creation, public service and research, and/or teaching.

Dr. Agulay has extensive performing experience in venues and organizations worldwide ranging from summer-stock theaters to nationally and internationally renowned opera houses – Opernhaus Zürich, Konzert Theater Bern, Theater Magdeburg, Central City Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Banff Performing Arts Center, McCaw Hall at Seattle Center, Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, and Carnegie Hall. As the Grand Prize winner, Audience Choice and Director’s Choice of the Annapolis Opera Competition, he was praised with “…strong sound and stage craft…an acting baritone,” (The Baltimore Sun), and as the title character in Elena Kats-Cherin’s The Rage of Life at Konzert Theater Bern, “Possesses rich and exciting baritone timbres…executes a fine technique in an almost tenorial tesitura role.” (Kultureagenda, Bern, CH).

Some memorable performances include being a featured soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of Kent Stowell’s rendering of Orff’s Carmina Burana for their 50th Anniversary Season at The Seattle Opera house, singing the role of Mr. Lindquist in A Little Night Music directed and designed by American fashion designer Isaac Mizarahi with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts singing the baritone solo in The Wound-Dresser by John Adams under the composer’s baton. Agulay made his operatic debut in Europe with Opernhaus Zürich. From his many mainstage roles, highlights include being a part of the world premiere of Marc-André Dalbavie’s Gesualdo, and Anno Schreier’s Die Stadt der Blinden and singing in Leo Nucci’s last performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto. He also was featured in several runs of Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s original production of Rossini’s Le Comte Ory alongside Javier Camerena and Cecilia Bartoli, which is now featured on a Live Digital Video Recording by Decca Music Group Limited.

Dr. Agulay received a Doctorate in Musical Arts in performance, pedagogy and literature from James Madison University and a Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance at Western University, Canada, under the tutelage of Kevin McMillan. He earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park as part of the Maryland Opera Studio where he studied with Dominic Cossa. While attending Oberlin Conservatory for an Artist Diploma, he was part of the last studio of world-renowned voice pedagogue the late Richard Miller. As a performer, adjudicator and clinician, Dr. Agulay continues to garner recognition with ongoing performances, masterclasses, collaborations, festivals and competitions.