Javier Bernardo

A native of Peru, tenor Javier Ernesto Bernardo has performed as a guest soloist in numerous productions of Handel's Messiah and Rossini's Stabat Mater, and is building a growing reputation as a collaborator in French, Italian, and Spanish vocal repertoire as well as sacred repertoire with English, German, and Latin texts. He is currently pursuing his Master of Music Degree at The Juilliard School where he is a student of Marlena Malas.

Awarded a full scholarship to Juilliard in 2007, he won the Encouragement Award from the 2006 Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions in Florida and prizes at the 2008 Classical Singer Competition and Palm Beach Atlantic University Voice Competition.

An active artist, Bernardo has performed in varied venues, ranging from the Young Artist Concert Series at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church and Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, to Juilliard's Young People's Concerts Series and numerous performances for New York City public high schools as a member of the Educational Outreach program of The Juilliard School. He has also brought his artistry to unlikely settings such as restaurants where he was praised for his "unique and honest singing and charisma."

Bernardo began his formal studies in Lima at the Orson Welles Institute where he graduated with a degree in Sound Engineering. Encouraged by his private teacher, he became a student at the Peruvian Conservatory of Music. The following year, he joined the prestigious National Choir of Peru and participated in many opera productions and oratorio performances.  In August 2003 Javier continued his studies in United States at the College of Charleston and transferred to Palm Beach Atlantic University to continue his undergraduate vocal studies.