Julian Yanas, a tenor, is a dedicated educator, talented vocalist, and makes a mean carne guisada. He is set to graduate in 2024 from the University of North Texas (Denton, TX) with a Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education and another in Vocal Performance.
As a student, Julian found comfort in his high school choir room, where he developed a strong bond with his directors and peers who quickly became his second family. He believes that music has the power to create a kinder and more imaginative world, and what started as a source of escape for him has become a mission to empower queer and POC youth with the beauty of music.
Unafraid of speaking his mind and challenging the status quo, Julian is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in the field of music. During his time at UNT, he served on the College of Music IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and accessibility) council, was part of the student led UpFront! Choir Council and served as President of the UNT University Singers. Through these positions, he has had the opportunity to reach out to the local community, advocate for his peers, create actionable change regarding uniforms/gender expression, and educate his local community about the history of racial prejudice in the arts.
Adhering to the philosophy of “creating, not competing,” Julian strives to embody this in his teaching, musical pursuits, and daily life. He understands the importance of being a well-rounded musician to be an effective educator and values the study of a wide range of music, from musical theater to classical antiquity and modern compositions. During his undergraduate studies, he participated in the UNT Opera program, was able to work with Jessica Nápoles and Kristina MacMullen in their respective ensembles at UNT and substituted for choirs in the Denton area. All the while, studing voice under the guidance of Richard Croft and Jeff Mullen.
Julian’s recent projects include performing in the world premiere of PJ Mooney’s “Requiem for a Poisoned Earth” and Beige Cowell’s “Encant,” as well conducting the world premiere of Cowell’s “Sankta Lucia.” He is constantly inspired to explore and work on his craft and looks forward to performing and conducting new works in the future.