About Me.

Adam Holthaus is an operatic baritone based in Houston, Texas, where he recently completed a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Houston. Known for his passion, dedication, and an instinct for compelling storytelling, he brings a vibrant presence to both the stage and the studio.  He has most recently performed such roles as Creach in the Houston Debut of Carlisle Floyd's Markheim, Fred Beenstock in the world premiere of Tom Cipullo's Hobson's Choice, Rinuccio in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Laurie in Mark Adamo’s Little Women with the Moores Opera Theater. In addition, he sang the role of Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi with Finger Lakes Opera and L’Aumôner in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmelites, Aeneas in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and Jack in Sondheim’s Into the Woods with the Eastman Opera theater. Beyond opera, Adam has performed as a soloist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Akron Wind Symphony. In 2024, Adam was invited to represent the Eastman School of Music as a student performer at The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR in New York City. Presented by the Gerda Lissner Foundation, the concert featured students, faculty, and alumni of Eastman. He was recently a participant in the Collaborative Piano Institute Vocal Academy held at the University of Michigan. He also participated in the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) Lieder Studio held in Graz, Austria. 

 

Before moving to Houston, Adam received his Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Jonathan Retzlaff and professor Kiera Duffy. While at the Eastman School of Music, Adam received a minor in German alongside his primary degree. He studied under Dr. Timothy Jones at the University of Houston. 

 

In addition to performing, Adam has a strong passion for teaching and vocal pedagogy. His teaching is rooted in a scientific approach to creating a free, honest, and maintainable sound for all of his students. Although his training is largely in the classical tradition, he has experience teaching and working in multiple styles. In fact, he serves as a vocal coach for a children’s musical theater camp each summer in his home town of Chagrin Falls, OH. While there he works with students on healthy singing techniques and with individual students on preparing solos. During the year Adam maintains a small private studio in the Houston area as well as serving as a voice instructor at Barber's Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas. He is currently accepting new students.