Kevin Navarro
Classical Pianist | vocal Accompanist
Kevin Navarro, classical pianist, and vocal accompanist is a native of Seattle, WA and began studying piano performance at the age of seven. Under the direction of Dr. Calvin Knapp of the Juilliard School, Kevin maintained a busy performance and competition schedule throughout his academic career while earning an impressive array of musical accomplishments and appearing as a featured soloist with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, performing George Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue," and also with Pacific Lutheran University Symphony Orchestra, performing Cesar Frank's Symphonic Variations. In 1999, Kevin earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Pacific Lutheran University School of Music, where he established himself as one of the most accomplished pianists in his class, and consistently in demand as a concert accompanist for both students and faculty. Under the guidance of Dr. Richard Nance (Director of Choral Activities) and Mira Frohnmayer (Chair of Vocal Studies), Kevin earned the position of principal accompanist for the internationally renowned “Choir of the West” as a sophomore in September of 1996. With the recommendation and full support of the opera faculty at PLU, Kevin was given his first professional assignments as accompanist for Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, and Seattle Opera for productions including Madame Butterfly, Marriage of Figaro, and West Side Story between 1997-1999.
Kevin's experience in music ministry began in 1990 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church where he served as pianist, organist and music director until June of 2000. During that time, Kevin was also appointed as Music Director for the student congregation at Pacific Lutheran University where he developed and expanded his skill set in choral direction and accompaniment. After exploring opportunities outside of professional music in the Seattle area, Kevin relocated to San Francisco and returned to a full time career in music performance, serving as pianist & organist at St. Ignatius Parish on the campus of University of San Francisco. During his time at St. Ignatius, Kevin played a key role in creating and developing the “Virtual Virtuoso Concert Series,” a community outreach program aimed at supporting local musicians and providing safe performance opportunities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As "Artist in Residence," Kevin produced 36 "Virtual Virtuoso Concerts" featuring incredibly talented local artists including members of San Francisco Symphony & Opera, and even a Grammy winner.
In September of 2021, Kevin accepted an offer to attend San Francisco State University's highly competitive Masters of Music program in Piano Performance. Kevin currently maintains a busy performance schedule and has held professional accompanist positions with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, San Francisco Girls Chorus, and San Francisco State Opera Workshop. In December of 2020, Kevin placed 2nd at the San Francisco Semi-Finals of the Music International Grand Prix Competition, and will return to the semi-finals of the adult piano division in March of 2022. Kevin currently serves as Principle Musician at St. John of God Church, and will be a featured artist in San Francisco's Sunset Music and Arts Concert Series in the Summer of 2022.
