Award Winning Director
Justin John Moniz’s operatic and musical theatre productions regularly receive great acclaim and have been the recipient of numerous awards from The American Prize, the National Opera Association, and BroadwayWorld. As an award-winning singing actor with over 80 roles to his credit, Moniz brings an extreme wealth of knowledge and experience to his work as a singer’s director. He is currently Chair of Vocal Studies at Millikin University and Executive Director of Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, where he regularly serves as a stage director and mentor to the festival’s professional fellows in stage directing.
Recent productions include the world premiere of Dawn Sonntag’s Verlorene Heimat with Cleveland Opera Theatre, Sweeney Todd and The Mikado with Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, as well as Amahl and the Night Visitors and The Mikado at Florida State University. Moniz has assisted Matthew Lata (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Carleen Graham (Houston Grand Opera), and Jennifer McGregor (Sydney Opera House) on various productions including La Cenerentola, L’Enfant et les Sortiléges, and A Little Night Music. In addition, he has previously worked successfully as both a stage manager and production assistant for various operatic and musical theatre productions.
As a former member of the opera faculty at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Moniz has taught courses in performing techniques, opera, and 19th-20th century movement. His scenes programs have included selections from Turnadot, Lucia di Lammermor, Madama Butterfly, Wuthering Heights, and Three Decembers. Moniz has also directed scenes programs for Florida State University, where he worked with students ranging from DMA candidates to undergraduate vocal performance, choral, and musical theatre majors.
A clinician in high demand, Moniz has presented masterclasses and workshops across the continental U.S. and beyond, most recently for the National Opera Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Southeastern Theatre Conference, and at institutions including Temple University, Berklee College of Music, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, Oklahoma City University, Auburn University, St. Olaf College, and the University of North Carolina— Chapel Hill.
Moniz holds the Doctor of Music in Voice Performance (with a specialization in Opera Directing & Production) from Florida State University, as well as degrees from the University of Miami, and SUNY Potsdam. In addition, Moniz earned certificates in Nonprofit Leadership and Sustainable Business Strategy from Duke University and Harvard Business School, respectively. He has received young alumni awards from all three of his alma maters, having recently been named one of Florida State University’s Notable Noles and University of Miami’s 30 Under Thirty. In addition, Moniz was awarded the Rising Star Award by SUNY Potsdam. He is a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and the Actors’ Equity Association.
