Welcome!

Thank you for joining me here! This page is dedicated to representing my performance and leadership in the arts. If you have any questions, or would like to speak to me in person, please feel free to reach out!

About me:  

Renato N. Estacio, Bass-Baritone, has a background in Broadway show revues, having performed for casinos (1100+ seats), private and public events, and private parties.  

Performance History:

In 2025, Renato stepped into the role of Dutch Schultz in the opera, Bumpy Johnson with Trilogy: An Opera Company.  He also joined Opéra Bastide in the role of Zúniga in the Opera Carmen in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, France.

In June 2024, Renato sang with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble (Off-Broadway, NY), returned to Teatro Miela as Count Almaviva (Maestro Vitiello) in Italy, and sang in a special concert of arias at Teatro Verdi (Italy).

In 2023, Renato made his role debut of Leporello in Don Giovanni with Teatro Miela in Trieste, Italy and returned to Berlin, Germany in July 2023 (on scholarship) to sing the lead role of Jupiter and (secondary role of Mars on off nights) in Orphée aux Enfers by Offenbach at OpernFest Berlin (Nic Muni and Dominic Wheeler). 

In 2022, Renato sang with the Los Alamos Light Opera as a soloist in their Broadway Show Revue, and also sang the roles of Simone and Marco in the opera Gianni Schicchi (Maestro Samuel Otero) in Amersfoort, Netherlands and Count Ceprano / Marullo in Rigoletto also in the Netherlands. 

In July and August 2022, Renato sang at OpernFest Berlin (Berlin Opera Festival) as Frank in Die Fledermaus (Maestro Valter Borin) and studied the role of Sarastro for Die Zauberflöte.  

Leadership: Stage and Musical Director:

Renato has a unique background as both a founder and performer for organizations.  In addition, he has served as a Music Commissioner (2014 - 2019) for New Mexico. Additional leadership includes:

• Founder and Artist-in-Residence of the Vocal Resident Arts Program at the African American Performing Arts Center (2014 - 2016), 
• Founder and District Director of the 42nd District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions 2014 - 2016,
• Founder and Artistic Director of the Black Cat Cabaret (New Mexico - 250 entertainers and 400+ events a year, 2015 - present) 
• Founder; Executive Director and Artistic Director for the NM Black Cat Cultural Enterprises (2020 - present)

Renato is currently the Director of the Drama Program at Highland High School where he oversees Drama, Stagecraft, and Musical Theater (and all theater productions). He has taught voice for the City of Las Vegas (Nevada) and has held private voice lessons, master classes, and coachings for over 17 years. He is a regular host of shows and has judged the state fair karaoke competition for 4 years, judged the state thespian competition for 3 years, and has served as Music Director / Conductor for the Albuquerque Civic Chorus, and Music Director and Conductor for St. Chad’s Episcopal.

Recently, Renato was Music Director and Vocal Coach for contestants on the reality TV show, Broadway Bound Live! Singers in his studio placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the national competition of 291 students, where he was vocal coach and music director for the final musical “I’m a Catch, so Why am I Single?“ As a result, his singers won scholarships to AMDA;1st and 2nd place winners won 4-year, full-ride scholarships each worth $240,000. Third place won a $160,000 scholarship. His experience as show and stage director include the following:

Stage and Musical Director: Highland High School Theater Department 

• The Importance of Being Earnest (Stage Director / Play), Fall 2025
• The Prom - Student Edition, Spring 2025
• Heathers - Student Edition, Spring 2024
• Broadway Show Revue, Spring 2024
• Wizard of Oz - Student Edition,  Fall 2023
• Dracula (Stage Director /  Play) - A Feminist Revenge Story, Spring 2023     

VIP Shows Director and Performer for Black Mesa Casino & the African American Performing Arts Center:

• Holiday Concerts, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
• Broadway meets Opera, September 2014, September 2015
• Broadway Show Stoppers Revue, March 2014 - July 2014, August 2015 - October 2015

Other:

• Music Director and Vocal Coach, Broadway Bound Live! Reality TV Series, Katharsis Media, Spring 2023
• Stage Director, Dialogue of the Carmelites, Fall 2018
• Conductor / Music Director: St. Chad's Episcopal Church, 2014 - 2016
• Conductor / Music Director: Albuquerque Civic Chorus, 2014 - 2015
• Stage Director: The Medium, Vegas City Opera, 2013                                                                                                                   

Education, Prizes, and Awards:

Renato holds a BA degree in English literature with an emphasis in Theater and a minor in Psychology from Oberlin College; BMus in Applied Voice,  Master of Music (MMus) Applied Voice from UNLV; and Business (MBA with Finance emphasis) from the Keller Graduate School of Management. In 2024, Renato earned a Doctor of Education degree (EdD) in Higher Education Teaching and Learning to continue his dedication to education and leadership; he is the recipient of several awards in the arts: 1st Prize National Association of Teachers of Singing Sophomore Division; 1st Place Classical Singer West Texas, Marjorie Barrick Opera Scholarship; semi-finalist (2022 and 2024 Premier Opera International Competition), and the Mark Hamill Award for Fine Arts.