Dr. Gerardo de la Torre is a distinguished Spanish-Mexican operatic bass-baritone with 11 years of experience as a vocal instructor in classical music and contemporary musical theatre repertoire. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Music (MM) degree from the Manhattan School of Music. With a wealth of experience spanning both sides of the podium, his expertise empowers students to navigate the complexities of the Western vocal repertoire with confidence and flair.
With a reputation for excellence, Dr. de la Torre has been recognized for his remarkable talent and artistry. He is currently part of the roster at the Detroit Opera House, where he actively collaborates with their Community Engagement Artists. With the Brooklyn Discovery describing him as “a Rolls Royce among Fords” in 2018. His repertoire encompasses a wide range of roles, including notable performances as Verdi's Falstaff and Ford, Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen, Germont in Verdi's Traviata, and the title role in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, among others within the Verdi baritone fach. Each of his portrayals is characterized by his commanding stage presence, rich vocal timbre, and deep emotional connection to the characters he embodies.
Dr. de la Torre has garnered notable acclaim through his exceptional performances in esteemed international voice competitions spanning the United States and Mexico. In 2018, he triumphed as the first prize laureate at the prestigious Verismo Opera International Competition held in New York City. Likewise, in 2017, he achieved second place at the esteemed Premiere Opera International Competition, also in New York City.
Collaborating with renowned conductors such as Constantine Orbelian, James Meena, Thomas Muraco, Katherine Killburn, and Enrique Patrón de Rueda, Dr. de la Torre has graced stages of distinction worldwide. His performances have captivated audiences in prestigious venues, including the Neidorff-Karpati Hall in New York City, Opera Grand Rapids, Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, and the Fairchild Theatre at Michigan State University.
Throughout his career, Dr. de la Torre has benefited from the guidance of esteemed mentors in the opera field, such as the renowned Met Opera baritone Mark Rucker, Maitland Peters at the Manhattan School of Music, Ted Taylor from Yale School of Music, and the legendary soprano Martina Arroyo.
In addition to his role as a performer and educator, Dr. de la Torre is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the musical community. During his tenure as a Community Outreach and Recruitment Associate at the MSU College of Music, he contributed to the recruitment of talented minority students, forging direct connections with underserved communities and Hispanic high schools, leading to a significant increase in the enrollment of minority students within the MSU vocal department.
As a native Spanish speaker and immigrant in the United States, Dr. de la Torre is uniquely positioned to support Latinx students facing linguistic and cultural barriers, offering instruction in their native language and serving as a beacon of encouragement and empowerment. His unwavering dedication to championing the artistic contributions of minority communities underscores his commitment to creating a more inclusive and representative musical landscape.