Chad Hilligus

Chad has performed with many opera companies and orchestras across the US and Europe. As the 2009 Pierson Fellow with San Diego Opera, he appeared as Ferrando in Così Fan Tutte and recreated the title role in a new opera Rumpelstiltskin.

His other operatic credits include A Waltz Dream (Lyric Opera of San Diego), Madame Butterfly (Sarasota Opera), Faust (Tulsa Opera), The Merry Widow (Lyric Opera of Kansas City), GianniSchicchi (Chelsea Opera), Il Trovatore (Nashville Opera) and La Bohème (Ash Lawn Opera).

Chad gained international recognition on the musical theatre stage starring as Tony in the critically-acclaimed 50th Anniversary World Tour of West Side Story. His performance with the Tokyo NHK Symphony was televised nationally throughout Japan. In addition, he has performed leading roles in Show Boat, Bye, Bye Birdie, Scrooge, Hello, Dolly, Oklahoma, State Fair, Godspell, Sound of Music and Street Scene.

Growing up in the Kansas, Chad began singing in church at a young age and was heavily involved with his schools’ choral and theatre programs. He began his vocal training in Chicago at Olivet Nazarene University and then earned a Master of Music degree at the University of Utah. He has also completed post-graduate studies at Centro Studi Italiani in Italy and the Azurlingua School in France.

When he’s not touring, Chad resides in New York City and enjoys running, Bikram yoga, indie films, and pretending he’s a really important restaurant critic.  He would like to thank his family for their constant unconditional love and support.