New York City-based tenor Toby Bradford was born and raised in Pasadena California, and he received his Bachelor of Music from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music under the instruction of world-renowned baritone Vladimir Chernov. He recently completed a Master of Music and Professional Artist Certificate in Vocal Performance as a fellow of UNCSA's highly selective A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute under the tutelage of Dr. Marilyn Taylor. This past season he made his debut with Piedmont Opera as Ruiz in Verdi's classic Il Trovatore, and starred in Donizetti's Maria di Rohan as Count Riccardo of Chalais, and as Carlo in Pergolesi's Lo frate 'nnamorato with the AJ Fletcher Opera Institute.

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The previous season saw Bradford’s debuts both at Carnegie Hall in recital with acclaimed concert pianist Maxim Lando as well as Lincoln Center with Teatro Nuovo as the Condulmiero in Rossini’s Maometto II. He then returned triumphantly with Teatro Nuovo to Lincoln Center last summer as Contino del Fiore in Crispino e la Comare by Luigi and Federico Ricci, of which Richard Sasanow of Broadway World wrote "Toby Bradford was a standout... leaving me wishing that he had more to do."

 

He was also featured in the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute’s 2022-23 season as Nicholas Astor in Kirke Mechem’s The Rivals, and as Pasquale in Haydn’s Orlando Paladino. Voix des Arts said that “a depiction of Pasquale as accomplished as Bradford’s would be notable in any of the world’s great opera houses… it was nothing short of sensational.” 

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In his first year with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, Bradford performed the roles of Carlo in Donizetti's Linda di Chamounix, as well as Mosca in Volpone by John Musto. Before that with Opera UCLA, Bradford was given the opportunity to study and perform the roles of Orphée in Charpentier’s La descente d’Orphée aux enfers and Orfeo in Campra’s Orfeo nell’Inferi, as well as roles in the world premieres of Lost Childhood by Janice Hamer and Juana by Carla Lucero. He has also performed the roles of Basilio and Don Curzio in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, both with Opera UCLA and at the Miami Classical Music Festival. 

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In addition, educational outreach has figured prominently in Bradford’s performing career, beginning as a member of the UCLA Gluck Fellows Vocal Ensemble from 2019-2021, as well as with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute in partnership with Piedmont Opera.

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