Award Winning Singing Actor

“Likely, though, it was guest artist Justin Moniz who most visibly wowed the near-capacity audience in Tilson Auditorium. Only 29, Moniz already inhabits the musical worlds of opera, Broadway, cabaret and choral. Using a hand-held microphone, the young tenor glided through Handel, ‘The Christmas Song’ and two Hanukkah numbers – sung in Hebrew with a little Tevye-like dance step. He then turned ‘Angels We Have Heard On High’ into the sort of showpiece that wins the finals of “The Voice,” hitting a high D-sharp that is well into soprano territory.

And there was more to come in the second half of the concert. Moniz helped the audience through the annual THSO holiday sing-along, performed a lovely ‘White Christmas,’ a dramatic ‘Bring Him Home’ from ‘Les Miserables’ (his pianissimo last notes were heartbreaking), then pulled out all the stops for the evening’s final work, “O Holy Night.”

In the closing phrase, ‘O night divine’ Moniz pinned nothing less than an F over high C. (Can Mozart’s ‘Queen Of The Night’ aria be far behind?).”

— Stephanie Salter, Tribune Star

“His performance was mesmerizing as he demonstrated his great vocal control, which allowed him to fully explore the emotional gamut of the piece.

His lyric tenor voice was poignantly emotional, which allowed the orchestra to run the full gamut from overwhelming power to amazingly quiet sensitivity.

This excitement spilled over into the introduction of guest artist Justin John Moniz and his dramatic performance of ‘Every Valley Shall Be Excited’ from ‘Messiah’ by George Frideric Handel. His voice was clear, bright and strong, easily heard over the appropriate Baroque articulation of Philharmonic musicians.”

— J. Kevin Butler, The Republic

“… [Moniz] really excels at musical theater. Moniz is a Sondheim lover and at Great Performances he treated three Sondheim songs with exquisite tenderness.”

—Meizhu Lui, Big Island Music Magazine

“Justin John Moniz, with his supple tenor and his great sense of timing, whether the song is mocking or yearning, is familiar to HPAF aficionados since he has participated since 2009, first as a student and now as the Executive Director. It’s a pleasure to hear him again.”

—Meizhu Lui, Big Island Music Magazine

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“THSO’s audience got a great look at his extraordinary talent in March during the sold-out concert of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Rose-Hulman’s Hatfield Hall.”

—Stephanie Salter, Tribune Star

“From opening with ‘Nessun Dorma,’ one of the most famous arias ever written, the momentum built through ovation after ovation for each of the three tenors: Adam Bielamowicz, Daniel Gerdes, and Justin John Moniz, to end with a standing encore of ‘Funiculi, Funicula’…”

—John Pickwick, Anna Maria Island Sun

“Vocalists Justin John Moniz, Ashley Lambert and Laura Hughes are accompanied by the swell jazz pianist Phil Kadet (who performed every number sans sheet music) and Jason Gamer on trumpet… our intrepid performers, who had a rock ’em, sock ’em blend, gave us everything from the famous (the still-catchy ‘Lullaby of Broadway’) to the obscure (the winning ‘Mr. Right’).”

​”…Justin—the most solid singer of the swanky affair…”

—Tony Frankel, Stage and Screen

“The guest star romantic leads – Justin John Moniz as the Prince and Gillian Hollis as Kathie – are simply outstanding. From the moment their characters meet their voices meld together into a glorious duet. It’s as though all the marches and drinking songs are like the assistant keeping the show a respectful distance from opera, but when these two are together the barrier drops and the soaring, dramatic opera takes over. Whether speaking or singing, their performances are always believable. When they part at the end of Act II, it made me shiver.”

-Sue Merrell, Encore Michigan

“Another stand out was Justin John Moniz who looked the part as romantic lead, Nanki-Poo, and had the strongest voice of the show.”

—Frances Thomas, The Southwest Florida Journal

“As her prince, Justin John Moniz (who also plays the ravenous Wolf) has the comic chops and huge voice to pull off Agony…”

—Christine Dolen, The Miami Herald

“The ensemble was created with care, as each performer presented remarkable vocals fitting each role perfectly, from the high soprano of Cinderella (Annemarie Rosano) to the rich tenor of The Wolf (Justin John Moniz).”

“The two princes were a farce of nobility parodying the traditional ‘charming prince’ role. Cinderella’s Prince (Moniz) and Rapunzel’s Prince (Matthew Janisse) deftly handled the hilarious musical number ‘Agony,’ which was a highlight in the first act.”

—Ashley Martinez, The Miami Hurricane

“Justin John Moniz has a commanding stage presence and strong singing voice as both the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince. He is well paired with Matthew Janisse as Rapunzel’s Prince in scenes which capture the over-exaggerated pompous nature of the royal brothers.”

—John Lariviere, TalkinBroadway.com

“Together, they made magic… and turned Old Bilbo (Justin John Moniz, an Apprentice) into an unforgettable creation that’s bound to turn youthful audiences into future opera lovers.”

—June LaBell, The Observer

“A lilting, almost waltz like television interview with Marcus, a soap opera star, spotlighted two of Frost Opera’s vocal standouts; Katherine Wiggins’ warm mezzo and Justin Moniz’s suave lyric tenor…”

—Lawrence Budmen, South Florida Classical Review

“…his finely shaded lyric tenor was a joy to hear…exquisitely sung.”

—Lawrence Budmen, The Miami Herald

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“Justin John Moniz (Tamino) was very promising…without a dent.”

—Daniel Fernandez, El Nuevo Herald

“As the three kings, Justin John Moniz, Graham Fandrei and Kevin Short were appropriately dignified and stentorian in their singing… Moniz provided some comic relief as the eccentric King Kaspar, singing about his box of amulets and candy.”

—David Flesher, The Miami Herald

“The Kings are most effective when the performers are sensible enough to keep their characters distinct. Costumes alone aren’t enough; musically and dramatically Kevin Short (Balthazar), Justin John Moniz (Kaspar) and Graham Fandrei (Melchior) offer beautiful voices and engagingly amusing temperaments with enough, not too much, imaginative physical acting to keep the audience spellbound. Their long entrance from their opening notes at the back of the auditorium to their ascension into the family’s home was one of the evening’s highlights. The quartet, ‘Have You Seen a Child,’ with Jean-Baptiste is, as anticipated, the evening’s musical peak. Not an easy time for the sensitive to hold back tears.”

—Jeff Haller, ConcertoNet.com – The Classical Music Network

“Sobresalió la soprano Jouvanca Jean-Baptiste, que compuso una madre de rara opulencia vocal, exhibiendo aplomo en todo el registro y lustroso timbre. Un valor para tener muy en cuenta al igual que los tres Reyes Magos a cargo de los sonoros Graham Fandrei (Melchor), Justin John Moniz (Gaspar) y Kevin Short (Baltasar) con un desempeño a igual nivel; asimismo adecuadísimos el grupo de pastores.”

—Sebastian Spreng, Especial/El Nuevo Herald

“Moniz’s refined lyric tenor and superb acting conveyed the madness of Tom Rakewell in the final scene of Stravinsky’s Rake’s Progress… the scene touching in Johnson’s vivid staging.”

—Lawrence Budmen, South Florida Classical Review

“In the double roles of Basilio and Don Curzio, Justin John Moniz had limited opportunities to display his fine lyric tenor but excelled in the comedic interplay.”

—Lawrence Budmen, South Florida Classical Review

“As the loyal Horatio, Justin John Moniz brought restrained dignity and a refined lyric tenor to his interjections.”

—Lawrence Budmen, The Miami Herald

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“Keivman’s labor of love promises far more than what Gilligan delivered, featuring the diverse talents of amazing vocalists, like baritone Kenneth Mattice as Hamlet, Meagan Brus as Ophelia and Justin John Moniz as Horatio.”

—Chris Joseph, Miami New Times

“Justin John Moniz’s superb high tenor powerfully commanded the protagonist’s final tragedy in the penultimate scene from Monteverdi’s version.”

—Lawrence Budmen, South Florida Classical Review

“As her messenger Moniz cut a sinister figure, his scenes with Eurydice’s throbbing with sexual tension.”

—Lawrence Budmen, South Florida Classical Review

“The leads provide every bit what you’d expect… Brandon Grimes (Hajj); Samantha Helmstetter (Marsinah); Zach Garcia (Wazir); and Justin John Moniz (Caliph) sing two parallel duets (‘This is My Beloved’) that actually gave me goosebumps.”

—Ellen Chahey, The Barnstable Patriot

“As Caliph, Mr. Moniz has a wonderful singing voice, especially in ‘Stranger in Paradise’ and ‘Night of My Nights,’ in which he gives instructions for his wedding celebration.”

—Marilyn J. Rowland, Cape News

“The main characters surrounding him — particularly Samantha Helmstetter as sweet daughter Marsinah, Justin John Moniz as the Caliph who falls in love with her — are a delight. Every song the lovers do, especially the show’s main hit, ‘Stranger in Paradise,’ is a highlight…”

—Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll, Cape Cod Times

“Justin John Moniz plays Che, the omnipresent narrator, and his strong voice of dissension creates a wonderful check to Eva’s overwhelming power.”

—Caroline Hughes, Cape Cod Times

“Che, played with just enough cynicism and self-righteousness by Justin John Moniz, introduces us to Eva, stunningly portrayed by Amanda Horvath, who, at 15, yearns to leave her impoverished life in the slums for Buenos Aires. Both Mr. Moriz and Ms. Horvath have fine singing voices and are well-suited for their roles.”

—Marilyn J. Rowland, The Enterprise

“Justin John Moniz is a convincing and memorable Che.”

—Susan Blood, The Barnstable Patriot