Esteban José Zúñiga-Calderón
Hailing from Cartago, Costa Rica, tenor Esteban José Zúñiga-Calderón is a passionate performer and dedicated voice instructor. Often praised for his high vocal range and expressiveness on stage, Zúñiga has forged his path through the world of vocal music, from Latin America to the United States. After completing his undergraduate studies in Costa Rica, he earned a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Historical Performance Practice from the University of Oregon. Since then, he has made his home in the Pacific Northwest.
Zúñiga-Calderón has had the privilege of working as a soloist with companies and organizations such as Seattle Opera, Eugene Opera, Eugene Symphony, Eugene Vocal Arts, Geneva Light Opera, The Oregon Bach Festival, The Oregon Branch of the American Liszt Society, Cascadia Chamber Opera, Uptown Classics NYC, The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, The Manhattan School of Music Chamber Sinfonia, and the National Lyric Company of Costa Rica. His repertoire includes principal roles in operas by Rossini, Donizetti, Mozart, Bizet, García, and Handel, in addition to zarzuela, operetta, oratorio, cantata and musical theater productions.
In addition to his work in established repertoire, Zúñiga-Calderón continues to perform and premiere new works, including operas, chamber music, oratorios, and song cycles by living composers.
At present, Zúñiga-Calderón serves as part of the voice faculty at Willamette University and Linn-Benton Community College, while he continues to perform, record and expand his vocal repertoire.