About The Artist
Aaron Bolden completed his MM at Northern Illinois University, and earned a BM in Voice Performance; Teacher's Certification for vocal music (K-12); and a minor in Spanish from the University of Iowa. Recent opportunities have included consecutive years with the young artist program OperaMaya in the Yucatán Peninsula in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico in both the summers of 2018 and 2019.
He was featured as King Balthazar in "Amahl" with Petite Opera Productions in 2011 and was also featured in the title role of "The Mikado" in 2012. Current roles for Aaron have included performing Jane Austen's "Persuasion" overseas with Chamber Opera Chicago/Chamber Opera Tours in England (2014), Scotland (2015), additional UK performances in both Scotland and England (2016, 2017), and also in Canada (2018).
Also under Chamber Opera Chicago/Chamber Opera Tours, he has been featured as King Balthazar (cover/principle) in "Amahl" (2008-19); Guadalupe in the world premiere (English) of Lecuona’s "Maria La O" (2010); Juan in "Man of La Mancha" (2009); and also Samuel (cover) in "Pirates of Penzance" with Light Opera Works (2009). Other opera credits include "Elixr of Love"; "La Cenerentola"; "La Boehme", "Patience", and "The Magic Flute".
Additional Training Programs include Voices of the Millennium in Chicago, Illinois (2007, 2009); and Voci D’Estate (Voices of Summer) in Verona, Italy (2007). In the realm of music theater, Aaron has performed the role of Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in the production of "Ragtime" regionally with four different productions in Rockford, Wilmette, Kankakeee and Peoria, Illinois.
Mr. Bolden has undertaken several other music projects within the region, including being named the Children's Vocal Music Director for the Opera "La Boheme" in May of 2006 with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra; and playing the role of Riff in "West Side Story" in June 2006 through Bonzi Productions. He was the recipient of The Starlight Theatre Stellar Performance Award during his performance stint of “Ragtime” in 2007 with Starlight Theatre of Rockford, IL. He was also named a semifinalist in the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition in 2011.