Kevin Gruden is a native of Springdale, Pennsylvania and completed his B.S.M.E. at Duquesne University. His performing experiences as a vocalist have taken him on stage in Italy, New York City, Pittsburgh, and a growing number of regional symphonies and opera companies throughout the United States. This year¹s performances featured Mr. Gruden as tenor soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and the Monteverdi Vespro Della Beata Vergine, with members of The Pittsburgh Symphony in the Shadyside Music in a Great Space series, and high tenor role in Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, presented by the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. Oratorio credits include the Rossini Stabat Mater, performed in the Lucca Festival Orchestra Concert Series, as well as the Bruckner Te Deum, the Verdi Requiem, the Bruckner Mass in F Minor, and the Bach Christmas Oratorio.
Mr. Gruden's vocal coaches, Lorenzo Malfatti in Pittsburgh and William Hampton Hicks in New York City, continue to encourage Mr. Gruden to emphasize opera roles which match his unique lyric/dramatic quality. The Barber, Massenet, Mozart and Respighi selections in Mr. Gruden's Pittsburgh Concert Society program reflect this special focus.