TAYLOR MASAMITSU
Music Director, Tenor, Educator
BIOGRAPHY
Taylor Masamitsu is a Japanese-American musician and educator who is known for his innovation, collaborative spirit, and unique storytelling. He has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe, conducted numerous world premieres, and remains a champion of accessible arts education.
Taylor’s musical performances have focused on operatic and chamber works, many of which were written specifically for his “commanding, vibrant voice” (Vladimir Chernov, Metropolitan Opera). Firmly rooted in interdisciplinary practice, Taylor's repertoire spans from Baroque opera to contemporary musical theatre, his detailed musicianship drawing him towards demanding roles and scores alike. Recent engagements encompass performances Off-Broadway (Theater at St. Peter’s, Kraine Theatre), at Lincoln Center (Eric Whitacre, cond.), REDCAT, and Salle Cortot (Paris, FR). Taylor has also lent his voice to many films and television series, with highlights including Disney's Higglytown Heroes and Jojo’s Circus.
As an educator, Taylor has worked with leading schools and non-profits determined to provide meaningful, accessible arts education. He proudly serves on the faculties at Columbia University, Teachers College; The School of The New York Times; and Random Farms Kids' Theater. Taylor has previously been on faculties at the CalArts Community Arts Partnership, Broadway Training Center of Westchester, Inside Broadway, Plaza de la Raza, West Creek Academy, and Burbank Unified School District.
Taylor received his Master of Arts (MA) in Music & Music Education at Columbia University, where he researched constructivist assessments in the voice studio and teaching strategies in the adolescent voice studio. Previously, Taylor received his Professional Diploma (PD) in Opéra from École Normale de Musique de Paris and his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Vocal Arts from The Herb Alpert School of Music at The California Institute of the Arts. Additionally, he was a Young Artist at the International Vocal Artists Academy of Payerbach. Taylor is currently pursuing his second MA at The Voice Workshop / University of Wales. His research interests lie at the intersection of vocal identity, social inclusion, and developing voices.
In June 2020, Taylor co-founded Creating for Justice, an initiative that offers artistic and other professional services in exchange for donations that directly benefit anti-racist organizations. For more information, please check out www.creatingforjustice.org!
The son of Robert "Chip" Masamitsu (Academy Award Winner, Dances With Wolves, 1991) and Andrea Pugliese (Emmy Award Winner, The Doctors, 2010; The Ellen Degeneres Show, 2019 & 2020; six-time nominee), Taylor was fortunate to have been inspired and raised by incredible artists in their Los Angeles home.