Biographies

FERNANDO VARELA

The story behind Fernando Varela begins and ends with a voice. A voice that tells the tale of a breathtaking tenor whose spirit and determination have defied the odds. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando moved to Florida at the age of eight, and while he always loved music, it was not until the age of seventeen that he discovered the impressive talent he had within him. Fernando trained with opera's renowned classical icons and tours worldwide with Grammy Award-Winning producer David Foster and is featured on David Foster's recently released all-new PBS Special. He has also performed amongst legendary superstars, including Lionel Richie, Sarah Brightman, Babyface, Gladys Knight, Peter Cetera, Neil Diamond, Benny Andersson, Seal, Jewel, The Beach Boys, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban, and Chaka Kahn. 2019 saw Fernando as special guest performer at The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, honoring Gloria and Emilio Estefan and celebrating Julio Iglesias on The Grammy Salute to Legends. Varela is signed with Universal Music Group and released his debut album "Vivere" in March 2017, accompanied by his debut PBS Special, "Coming Home."

Fernando has also founded the dynamic powerhouse trio, The Serenad3 (The Serenade), featuring Varela alongside world-renowned singers Craig Irvin & Devin Eatmon. The group emerged as a sign of hope amidst a pandemic, collaborating with David Foster, Gloria Estefan, Pia Toscano, and many more. Fernando Varela sets the standard for what true musicianship is all about, combining a unique voice and an engaging passion that lights up the stage.

BRANDEN JAMES

Branden James inspired millions as a finalist on season 8 of America's Got Talent, and he continues to do the same with his "soaring tenor vocals." (NPR Music) Branden spent the beginnings of his career singing in residence at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Having appeared in concert at The Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, and Trafalgar Square in London, his travels have honored him with a personal performance for Pope Benedict XVI and the Nelson Mandela family in South Africa. He has kicked off games for The Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Cubs, and Whitesox with his passionate rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." James has also hit the Las Vegas strip, headlining "Spirit of The Dance" In television, he has served as co-host for the wildly popular Afterbuzz TV network. He has been a guest on TV shows in The US and around the globe in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, Romania, The UK, France, Italy, China, New Zealand, and Australia. He spends much of his time playing in the pop-vocal and cello duo BRANDEN & JAMES. Michael Orland, Music Director of American Idol, says of the pair, "It's always a pleasure working with Branden & James. Not only are they talented and fantastic performers, but they are also incredible musicians. The velvet sound of James on the cello, mixed with Branden's compelling vocal talent, creates a unique duo that leaves everyone mesmerized. I guarantee we'll be hearing much more from them in their careers." As a published author, Branden penned Lyrics Of My Life through Simon & Schuster. I'm thrilled to see what the future holds, and I hope my music and my story continue to make a powerful mark on this world."

CRAIG IRVIN

Craig Irvin brings a vibrant sound and commitment to character to a wide variety of repertoire. Opera News has praised his “rich, resonant baritone” while the Dallas Morning News has noted his “truly commanding baritone.” In the busy 2022-2023 season, Mr. Irvin makes his role debut as Jochanaan with Madison Opera, makes his role debut as Older Thompson in Glory Denied with Knoxville Opera and Permian Basin Opera, returns to The Atlanta Opera as Maximillian in Candide, sings The Wolf/ Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods with Tulsa Opera, and bows with New West Symphony in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. The 2021-2022 season brought reprises of one of his signature roles - The Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance at both Atlanta Opera and Utah Symphony and Opera, and brought him to Orchestra Iowa for Handel’s Messiah and the Cincinnati May Festival for Candide. During the COVID-affected 2019 and 2020 seasons, Mr. Irvin appeared in concert with Omaha Symphony, and was slated to appear as the title role in Sweeney Todd at Utah Festival Opera and Music Theater, Marcello in La boheme at Atlanta Opera, in Carmina Burana with San Antonio Symphony. A winner of the Heinz Rehfuss Singing Actor Award sponsored by Orlando Opera, Mr. Irvin spent a season with the company as a Resident Artist. With Orlando Opera he has sung the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, Abimelech in Samson et Dalilah, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Elder Ott in Susannah, and Angelotti in Tosca. While in Orlando, Mr. Irvin also sang the role of Gaston in over 700 performances of Beauty and the Beast at Walt Disney World, MGM. In the course of his graduate work at The University of Tennessee, he performed with the Knoxville Opera as Pooh Bah in The Mikado, Der Sprecher in Die Zauberflöte, and Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia, as well as Reverend Blitch in Susannah and the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd with the Knoxville Opera Studio. A native of Iowa, Mr. Irvin completed his undergraduate study at the Simpson College in Indianola under the tutelage of Dr. Robert L. Larsen.