Maxwell Ary, tenor, is a Dallas native based in San Francisco. A versatile performer and educator, he has been described as a “musical chameleon” with a voice suited for a wide range of genres, including classical vocal repertoire, choral and concert music, jazz, musical theater, and pop. 

Passionate about performance and education, Ary earned selection as a Voces8 U.S. Scholar, where he refined his ensemble singing and teaching skills in the chamber ensemble. Through this prestigious program, he participated in professional recording sessions while training in the innovative Voces8 teaching methodology, which he now incorporates into his private studio. He teaches at the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, where he leads courses in music theory, directs opera scenes, and conducts the tenor/bass choir. 

After completing his undergraduate performance degree at the University of North Texas under the guidance of Dr. Jeffery Snider, Ary earned selection for the Seraphic Fire Professional Choral Institute at the Aspen Music Festival, one of the nation’s most prestigious music festivals. Following this, Seraphic Fire invited Ary to perform on two concert tours with the ensemble, America’s premier professional choral group dedicated to Baroque performance. 

He continued his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning a graduate degree while expanding his performance portfolio. At UCLA, he starred in productions including The Rake’s Progress (Tom Rakewell), L’elisir d’amore (Nemorino), and Acis and Galatea (Acis) in collaboration with Tesserae Baroque Ensemble. He also performed in world premiere workshop productions of Quake by UCLA composer Kay Rhie and The Grand Hotel Tartarus by Grammy Award-winning composer Richard Danielpour. 

Dedicated to early music performance, Ary co-founded Adoro Early Music Ensemble, a Los Angeles-based group focused on making early music accessible to students who might not otherwise encounter the genre. 

Now based in the Bay Area, Ary frequently performs with regional opera companies and choral ensembles. He recently appeared in the revival and world premiere of the 17th-century opera La Flora with the Baroque opera company Ars Minerva. He debuted as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance with Lamplighters Music Theatre. His 2025 season includes multiple engagements with Lamplighters Music Theatre and Pocket Opera and choral performances with ensembles such as the choirs at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. 

Outside of music, Ary enjoys spending time in nature, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and relaxing with his partner, Elisabeth, and their cat, Miso. 

 

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A century old tradition of celebrating music and fine art in Lindsborg, Kansas. Join us in the choir, or in the audience.