James Gonzales
PIANO. VOICE. THEORY.
Baritone James Gonzalez is an accomplished soloist and chorister based in the Lower Mainland, known for his rich, warm, and controlled voice, expressive phrasing, and ability to bring emotional vulnerability and connection to his singing. With his strong command of dynamics and storytelling, he seeks to engage audiences on a deep emotional level, creating performances that resonate long after the music ends.
James is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Applied Music at Vancouver Community College, where he studies under Dory Hayley. He was awarded the Third-Year Music Scholarship, the Ian Docherty Scholarship, and the Music Jury Scholarship in recognition of his dedication and artistic growth. Previously, he studied voice under Gail Suderman, who also directed the Kwantlen University Chorus and Chamber Singers. He was also a member of the Kwantlen Opera Ensemble under Dale Throness. Additionally, he performed with the Coastal Sound Youth Choir under the direction of Carrie Tennant.
As a soloist, James performed his graduation recital in April 2026. As well as a solo mini-recital in January 2025. He also sings as a soloist for the West Vancouver United Church choir under Gerald van Wyck. Formerly, he was the bass soloist for the West Vancouver Presbyterian Church choir. In 2017, James competed against nearly 100 contestants in the British Columbia Chinese Bridge Mandarin Singing Contest, where he earned third place, demonstrating his versatility and ability to connect with diverse audiences.
A passionate choral singer, James has performed with the Kwantlen University Chorus, the Kwantlen Chamber Singers, and the Coastal Sound Youth Choir. He was also singing with Spirit Alive Chorale under Tony Araujo. His choral repertoire spans classical masterworks such as Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ Requiem, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Vivaldi’s Gloria, as well as modern compositions by Eric Whitacre, Pärt Uusberg, Ola Gjeilo, and Morten Lauridsen. With the Coastal Sound Youth Choir, he has performed in prestigious venues, including the Vogue Theatre, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church, and MacDougall United Church in Edmonton for the Voices West Choral Festival.
At VCC, he is currently preparing for the Concerto Competition and is playing Ben in the opera, The Telephone by Gian Carlo Menotti. He and his classmate Lucia Delgado conduct the Vox Nova Community Choir in east Vancouver as a way to give back to the community.
Beyond performance, James is also passionate about teaching voice and piano, aiming to share his love of music with aspiring singers and musicians. With a deep commitment to artistic growth and musical storytelling, he continues to expand his presence in both solo and ensemble settings.