Jose Melendez

Pianist José Meléndez is a widely sought-after vocal coach, conductor, and collaborative artist with a prolific career spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Renowned for his colorful and sensitive playing, he serves full-time on the music staff at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia as Assistant to the Music Director and Orchestra Librarian. Passionate about nurturing emerging talent, he also serves as a co-chair and pianist for the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (Philadelphia and Mid-Atlantic regions) and is the Music Director of Concert Operetta Philadelphia.

Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Meléndez has held prominent artistic positions with prestigious organizations including Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Hawaii Opera Theatre, and the Princeton Festival. An exceptional recital partner, he has maintained a two-decade partnership with mezzo-soprano Maya Hoover, specializing in Latin American art songs and lesser-known repertoire. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico and a Master of Music in Piano Accompanying and Coaching from Westminster Choir College