Jose Cuartas is a Colombian-American baritone from Queens, New York, recognized for his dynamic performances on both national and international stages. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Music from Mannes College The New School of Music, under the tutelage of Ruth Falcon. Cuartas also participated in the prestigious International Vocal Arts Institute (IVAI), studying in Tel Aviv, Virginia, New York City, and Montréal. In 2016, he made his Stern Auditorium debut at Carnegie Hall as a featured artist with Choirs of America.
Cuartas expanded his repertoire as an apprentice artist at Caramoor Bel Canto Opera in 2017 and later performed the title role of Gianni Schicchi in Montréal as part of the Institut Canadien d’Art Vocal. His operatic roles include Belcore in L’Elisir d’Amore, John Brooke in Mark Adamo’s Little Women, Peter in Hänsel und Gretel, and Schaunard in La bohème. In 2019-2020, Cuartas was selected as an apprentice artist at Sarasota Opera, and returned in 2022 as Sciarrone in Tosca. He also performed in two world premieres during the 2022-2023 season, creating the role of Dillon in The Pirate’s Daughter by Ada de Luque and portraying Pilato in Alejandro Zuleta’s El Oratorio Panhispánico.
In the 2023-2024 season, he joined Opera Orlando as a Studio Artist, performing key roles in productions such as Tosca, Frida, Rusalka, and The Juniper Tree. Cuartas is also passionate about reaching younger audiences and was involved in a tour of Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World for Hispanic youth in Central Florida.
In the spring of 2025, he originated the role of Leland in a new queer tragic opera, Leland & Silas, in collaboration with the Chinkapin Craftstead Land Project.