Prep Alumni Spotlight: Michael González '12 Prep, '16
Tenor Michael González has been praised as “visually and sonically stunning” and celebrated for his “beautiful tenor voice,” described as “the aural equivalent of silk” (BMI). Known for his bright, forward tone and exceptional diction, González is rapidly emerging as a distinguished artist in opera, solo, and choral performance.
Recently, González captivated audiences at the National Opera Center in New York, where his recital earned acclaim from New York Concert Review, which hailed him as “one of the evening’s best” and “an emerging artist destined to go far.” He also served as Tenor Soloist for the world premiere of Richard J. Clark’s Te Deum, a five-movement work for orchestra, soloists, and choir commissioned for the fiftieth anniversary of Francis Bardot’s Chœur d’Enfants d’Île-de-France. The premiere took place at the stunning L’Église Saint-François de Sales in Paris, France.
As Lead Tenor of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, González can be heard on the 2021 album From the Bell Tower, recorded with the Boston Cathedral Singers. The album was listed For Your Consideration in five GRAMMY categories and is available on iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
González has received recognition in several prestigious competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Boston and Puerto Rico Districts), the Schmidt Vocal Competition (First Prize/Gold Medal), the Classical Singer Competition (Finalist), and the YoungArts Awards (Silver Medalist).
His performance career spans the United States and abroad, with appearances at the American Institute of Musical Studies (Graz, Austria), Artes Italia (Florence, Italy), and the Berlin Opera Academy (Berlin, Germany). Notable operatic roles include Samson (Samson), Fritz (L’amico Fritz), Colonel Fairfax (The Yeomen of the Guard), Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance), Satyavān (Savitri), Barigoule (Cendrillon), Aeneas (Dido and Aeneas), Albert (Albert Herring), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), the Huntsman (Venus and Adonis), and Monostatos (The Magic Flute).
In addition to his operatic work, González maintains an active performance schedule with Boston Lyric Opera, Odyssey Opera, Opera Saratoga, Dee Opera, Cambridge Chamber Ensemble, South Florida Symphony Orchestra and several other ensembles across the United States.
A graduate of NEC, his primary teachers include Michael Meraw, Angela Gooch, Carol Caselle, Gustav Halle, Wayne Rivera, and Lawrence Brownlee (Masterclass). His notable coaches include Tim Steele, Damien Karzyzek, Felix Jarrar, and Timothy Hoekman.
What does NEC Prep mean to you?
As an 18-year-old just diving into classical music, NEC Prep quickly became a second home for me on Saturdays. It was a place where I could keep singing choral music while discovering the incredible community and energy of the New England Conservatory. I built friendships that have lasted to this day, and—cheesy as it might sound—it was one of the most rewarding and formative times of my early musical life.
Can you share an experience you’ve had in your career that has felt the most rewarding?
It’s hard to choose just one moment, so I’ll share two that really stand out. The first was performing under the baton of my wife, Stephanie Beatrice—who’s also an NEC alum. Together, we brought one of my favorite roles to life: the title role in Samson by G.F. Handel. Singing that music and sharing that experience with her was unforgettable.
The second was collaborating with another NEC alum, Esther Jeehae Ahn. We first met by chance at a Walnut Hill event—I’d just finished performing Samson and jumped in at the last minute! From that very first performance, I knew our musical connection was something special. We went on to record a recital together called It Takes Two, and I’m already looking forward to our next project.
Share a story about one of your favorite faculty or studio instructors.
I would be completely remiss if I didn’t mention my voice teacher, Michael Meraw. One story that always sticks with me is from my very first studio class with him at NEC. I remember being a nervous freshman, dreading having to go. The thought of singing in front of all those older, more experienced singers was terrifying. But after I sang, Michael looked at me and said simply, “It’s just singing, so sing!” Those three words have stayed with me ever since. No matter the performance, the gig, or the pressure—I always remind myself: Just sing.
Do you have any advice for young professionals, musicians, and current NEC students?
Always find new ways to love your journey. Along the way, you’ll receive countless pieces of advice and feel pressure to fit into boxes or standards set by others. But don’t let that steal the joy of making music. Never let anyone take your voice—keep finding ways to rekindle your passion. For me, that means surrounding myself with incredible colleagues who inspire me to keep growing as an artist. So go forward, trust yourself, and keep paving your own path.
Learn More About Michael:
Current Job: Professional Tenor
Program: NEC Preparatory School & NEC College
Instrument: Voice
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