Hailed as a “smooth, thrilling Baritone” and “strong dramatic actor,” Baritone Joel Clemens is quickly becoming known across the East Coast for his exemplary musicianship and dynamic characterization across a broad range of challenging repertoire. Joel returns to Chautauqua Institution for his third year as a teaching artist in the Opera in the Schools Program, and joined the Opera Company for their 2025 season. Performances with Chautauqua included the full orchestral workshop presentation of Missy Mazzoli’s new opera, Lincoln in the Bardo, which is set to have its Metropolitan Opera premiere in the 2026-27 season.
Joel has been featured as a Baritone Soloist in the Holiday Pops, where he made his Boston Symphony Hall Debut under the direction of Keith Lockhart. He enjoys appearances with companies such as White Snake Projects, where he recently premiered a new opera, Is This America?, as well as several roles within White Snake Projects’ annual Let’s Celebrate! series. He is a proud alumnus of Seagle Festival’s Emerging Artist Program, where he sang the role of Hawkins Fuller in Fellow Travelers and created the role of Charles Ives in the premiere of Robert Carl’s Harmony with libretto by acclaimed American writer Russel Banks. Joel is a winner of the Boston District of The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.
