Welcome!

Thank you for joining me here! This page is dedicated to representing my performance and leadership in the arts. While I am a Student Success Coordinator, Drama Director,  Graduation Reengagement Coordinator, and Educator (English, Math, Musical Theater, Sciences, Economics, and Drama), I have been a leader in the arts and business community as well. I am the co-founder of the NM Black Cat Cultural Center and co-owner of an established  bar and grill in Nob Hill. If you have any questions, or would like to speak to me in person, please feel free to reach out! 

About me:  

Dr. Renato N. Estacio, Bass-Baritone and Countertenor, has a background in Broadway show revues, having performed for casinos (1100+ seats), private and public events, and private parties. During 2014 - 2019, Renato served as Commissioner of Music for New Mexico to guide the strategic development of music in the state. Renato trained with several academies and studios, most notably with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Acting Studio (NYC).

Education:

Renato is co-founder of Vcademy (vcademy.net), an online learning experience which is rolling out in 2027 and is currently in a pilot through local public schools where he handles at-risk and early warning student programming.

He is a NM licensed educator, Project Management Professional (PMP), Student Success Coordinator, Project-based learning instructor, and Certified Restaurant Manager, with an educational background as follows:

• Bachelor of Arts, English literature with an emphasis in Theater and a minor in Psychology from Oberlin College; 
• Bachelor of Music, Magna cum Laude, in Applied Voice from UNLV
• TESOL Graduate Certificate, NMSU
• Master of Music Applied Voice from UNLV
• Master of Business Administration, Highest Honors, in Finance from the Keller Graduate School of Management 
• Doctor of Education (EdD), Higher Education Teaching and Learning from Alverno College to continue his dedication to education and leadership.  

Performance Highlights:

In 2026, Renato will join the Institute Performing Arts International (IPAI) as a Stage Directing Fellow, directing in Kiefensfelder, Bavaria, Germany.  He will also host masterclasses in acting and show production, as well as perform in special concerts while in Germany. He is also the director of the Sound of Music, and a talent showcase in Albuquerque, NM. While invited to sing two operatic roles this year, Renato may take some time off from singing to focus on directing and other projects.

In 2025, Renato stepped into the role of Dutch Schultz in the opera, Bumpy Johnson with Trilogy: An Opera Company.  They 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 to sing the lead role of Jupiter and (secondary role of Mars on off nights) in Orphée aux Enfers by Offenbach at Berlin Opera Festival (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.  Renato also sang with Berlin Opera Festival as Frank in Die Fledermaus (Maestro Valter Borin).

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 (November 2020 - November 2025)

Renato is currently the Director of the Drama Program at a school where they oversee Drama, Stagecraft, and Musical Theater (and all theater productions). Renato 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 Renato's studio placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the national competition of 291 students, where Renato was vocal coach and music director for the final musical “I’m a Catch, so Why am I Single?“ Renato's singers won scholarships to AMDA (1st and 2nd place winners won full-ride scholarships) through audience vote.

Renato's experience as show and stage director includes the following:

Stage and Musical Director: 

• The Sound of Music Youth Edition, Spring 2026
• 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, 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                                                                                                                   

Prizes and Awards:

Renato 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, 2024, 2025 Premier Opera International Competition), and the Mark Hamill Award for Fine Arts. Renato recently won Grand Prize for the International Grand Virtuoso Competition (Gold Medal), as well as was Semi-Finalist for the La Marianne Competition. Renato can converse at an elementary level in Italian, German, Spanish, and French and is learning Portuguese and Catalan.