Bio

It is hard to believe that the strong tenor voice of Fernando Varela was weaned on the music of Michael Jackson; but, as a little boy of three growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando entertained his family and friends with endless versions of Jackson's songs. When he was eight years old, Fernando and his parents, Julio and Margarita, relocated to Central Florida, and while he loved music, he neither trained as a singer nor aspired to be one until he was well into his teenage years.

While in his senior year at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando, Fernando became inspired to sing and he was accepted into the Central Florida Lyric Opera. Within five short years, he was transformed from an aspiring young singer into an exciting, dynamic performer.

During his stint with the CFLO, Fernando performed in over 16 fully staged operas and hundreds of concerts from coast to coast. From the roles he has played, his favorite is still Lt. Pinkerton in a production of Madame Butterfly, directed by Metropolitan Opera legend Licia Albanese. In fact, Fernando studied privately with Madame Albanese in Orlando, as well as at her home in New York. He obviously impressed her as he was invited to compete in the prestigious Licia Albanse/Puccini Foundation International Vocal Competition where, despite the fact that he was one of the youngest competitors, he received Study Grants from the Foundation both in 2001 and 2002. Madame Albanese has said of Fernando, "At 20 years old, he is better than Pavarotti (at that age)."

In the fall of 2004, Fernando joined the Resident Artist Program with the Palm Beach Opera and covered the role of Rodolfo in La Boheme. It was in Palm Beach that Fernando met two people who drastically changed his career. The first was world-renowned voice instructor Cesar Ulloa, with whom he was able to fine-tune his technique. The second was one of the greatest tenors of all time, Maestro Placido Domingo. Fernando was able to work for his operatic idol at Palm Beach Opera's Gala on February 27, 2005.

In 2005, Fernando was also engaged as a featured performer in The Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City, produced by Walt Disney World Entertainment and televised internationally on Telemundo. Later that summer, Fernando was invited to study with the Metropolitan Opera's assistant director, Joan Dornemann and her prestigious staff of coaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Fernando's global performances span more than 24 countries in which he has won critical acclaim. Puerto Rico's top newspaper, El Nuevo Dia summed it up by saying: "Fernando Varela: A Puerto Rican Pavarotti." In 2006, Fernando was invited to coach with Maestro Giancarlo Chiaramello, conductor for the late Luciano Pavarotti in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The Maestro said to Fernando, "I have heard very few voices like yours."

In August 2008, Fernando signed for personal management with Paul Mascioli, President of Mascioli Entertainment Corporation in Orlando. In September 2008, Fernando traveled to New Delhi, India to perform for some 50,000 birthday guests of Shree Satpalji Maharaj Ji, one of the top spiritual leaders in the world with over 45 million followers. The audience included world dignitaries and was broadcasted internationally to over 1 Billion people.

All of these accomplishments are just the beginning! Fernando is a great talent. His heart surrounds each song that he performs; his charisma enfolds his audiences; his music uplifts the soul; and, an evening of his music becomes a "religious" experience.

Fernando Varela . . . his future is in the stars!