Aaron Cates, tenor, enjoys pursuing performance opportunities both as a soloist and professional choral ensemble member. He is especially passionate about collaborative ensemble singing, and has appeared with groups including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Apollo’s Fire, True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Seraphic Fire, Chamber Voices for Change, Transept, Harmonia Stellarum Houston, The Thirteen, and Washington Bach Consort. As a soloist, he is especially drawn to performing music composed before 1750, with a personal affinity for the music of Bach and Handel. Recent performances have included the Evangelist role in Bach’s St. John Passion with the Company of Singers, and as the tenor soloist for Messiah with Handel Choir of Baltimore. Aaron has received fellowships for his participation in the Charlotte Bach Akademie, the Illinois Bach Academy, the Voces8 US Scholars Program, the Quintessence Summer Choral Festival, and the Baylor International Choral Conducting Masterclass & Young Artist Program. Aaron holds music degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of South Carolina and Baylor University. He is a native of Charleston, SC, and currently resides in Washington DC, where he is a member of the music staff at the Washington National Cathedral.