Baritone Joshua James Klein, originally from Flower Mound Texas, is currently pursuing his Artist Diploma at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he studies with Bill Schuman. Praised for his commanding presence and rich vocal timbre, Klein joins Music Academy of the West this season to sing the title role in Don Giovanni. He will also sing the role of Ford in Falstaff in the Scenes Program at Music Academy of the West. Additionally, he returns as a featured soloist with the Greater Philadelphia Choral Society, singing the baritone solo in Fauré’s Requiem, following his performance of the bass solo in Handel’s Messiah last season. Earlier this year, he was featured in AVA’s 90th Anniversary BRAVA Gala, performing the role of Enrico in the beloved sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor. Other 2025 engagements include Guglielmo in Così fan tutte and chorus in L’amico Fritz at AVA.
In 2024, Klein gained significant experience at The Santa Fe Opera, where he was an Apprentice Artist and gained valuable exposure. At Santa Fe, Klein covered Leporello in Don Giovanni and covered the role of Deacon 2/Joe/Representative in the world premiere of Gregory Spears’ The Righteous. He also sang the role of Don Magnifico from La Cenerentola in the Santa Fe Apprentice Artist Scenes Program. His involvement with Santa Fe Opera underscores his dedication to refining his craft with world-class mentors in a prestigious company, adding depth to his already diverse operatic experience.
Klein has also been featured in roles with Opera North in the 2023 season, where he performed the role of Zuniga in Carmen and portrayed Jigger in Carousel. He was also a featured soloist in the Opera North Cavalcade, further showcasing his versatility as a performer. In addition to his work with Opera North, Klein has appeared at the Berlin Opera Academy, Vienna Summer Music Festival, and CCM Opera d’Arte, where he took on significant roles such as Figaro and Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni and Masetto in Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicchi and Betto in Gianni Schicchi, Sarastro and Sprecher in Die Zauberflöte as well as Caronte in L’Orfeo. His extensive experience spans both opera and musical theatre, having performed as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Javert in Les Misérables, and Trevor in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Klein has sung in the opera choruses of Dallas Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Santa Fe Opera.
Other honors include the Outstanding Vocalist Award from the William Lewis School of Opera, a National Merit Award in Classical Voice from YoungArts, and 1st Place in the Classical Singer Fall Musical Theater Competition. Klein was also the youngest ever Chorister to perform with the Dallas Opera at 17, singing in the chorus of Der Fliegende Holländer.
He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he studied with Kenneth Shaw, and continues his studies at AVA under the guidance of Bill Schuman. A versatile linguist and performer, Klein is fluent in Spanish and conversational in German. He is equally at home in standard repertoire, contemporary works, and musical theatre, and is passionate about connecting with audiences through character-driven storytelling and bold vocal artistry.