Kim Mendez

Mx. Kim Mendez is a Grammy-winning choral artist that sparkles on stage in a multitude of genres and styles, from opera to bluegrass to pop to musical theatre, with 30 years of experience under their belt. Their artistic identity is rooted in collaboration, connection, and activism for the LGBTQIA+ community. Notable roles include Major General Stanley (The Pirates of Penzance), Sor Rafaela in the world premiere of Juana, Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd) and Baba (The Rake’s Progress). Choral experience includes performances with Seraphic Fire, Long Beach Camerata Singers and Long Beach Symphony, and as part of the Grammy-winning recording of The Passion of Yeshua with the UCLA Chamber Singers and the Buffalo Philharmonic (2020). They are a graduate of the BMP Producers Academy and the Seraphic Fire Professional Choral Institute.

This past summer, Mendez traveled to Portland, ME for an Artist Residency with Hogfish Opera. There they performed a 6 voice, unaccompanied, Serbian opera called SVADBA by Ana Sokolovic. In addition, they were able to work on and present a portion of their own regenerative arts project. Their project included developing a choral soundscape that illustrates the LGBTQIA+ experience of being the cycle breakers of their families of origin, and all the shame and weight that title carries. They are extremely excited to continue work on this piece, and to bring all they learned from Hogfish about intentional, regenerative art making with them into all of their creative endeavors in Los Angeles.

Mx. Mendez has associates degrees in music and humanities from Pasadena City College, as well as Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, both from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music. In their off hours, they enjoy reading, sewing, being in nature, playing with their dog, Diego, and playing music with friends and family.