Baritone, Hernan Pelayo is an American singer, born in Chile of Spanish parentage.  He received his formal education in Chile, studying in the University of Santiago and the Conservatory of Santiago. His voice teacher there was Carlos Marino, a leading tenor of the N.Y. Metropolitan Opera Company and La Scala, Milan Opera Company. He debuted at 14 years of age in the Municipal Theatre of the Opera of Chile. At the age of 16 he won the Caruso Competition of South America, which sent him to Buenos Aires, Argentina where he sang with International artists on the operatic  stage of the Colon de Buenos Aires. There he studied and performed with tenor Beniamino Gigli. As his protégé he was sent to Italy under scholarship. His studies there included training at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory and coaching with Titta Ruffo in Florence, Italy. On his return to South America, Dr. Pelayo performed extensively in theatres, movies and on T.V.  Touring South America he was discovered by the famous Mexican Singer, José Mojica, who arranged a contract to bring him to Mexico.  There he performed in various media, from hosting a popular radio show, to giving concerts with José Mojica and Liberta Lamarque to performing with the La Scala Opera Company at the Palacio de Bellas Artes.  He also performed in the Zarzuela Company owned by Placido Domingo, Sr., singing roles opposite Pepita Embil (the parents of tenor, Placido Domingo). Famous Cuban composer, Ernesto Lecuona invited him to appear in concerts with his company touring the United States. He returned to Cuba, performed in many night clubs including the Tropicana, appeared on T.V. and performed the role of Danilo in “The Merry Widow” opposite the famous Cuban Soprano, Maruja Gonzalez. There he was discovered by RCA and brought to New York to record Spanish Zarzuelas, including “The Merry Widow”. After which Dr. Pelayo sang leading roles with the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Opera Company, and was heard in recital in Town Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York.  While in  New York he competed in & won  the Metropolitan Opera Auditions when they were on the radio, performing in the finals and winning concert  under Arturo Toscanini. He also entered and won the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Show. Signed by Columbia Artists, he toured the United States  and Canada, singing roles in various operas and concerts. After performing for several seasons in Las Vegas, Dr. Pelayo moved to the Los Angeles area where he settled and  established a studio, coaching voice and performing in opera and concerts.  In 1976 he sang on tour in South America with the La Scala Milan Opera Company. In 1979 and in 1980 he appeared in concert in Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York. In 1980 and 1982, he traveled to the Orient where he gave concerts in Hong Kong and Taipei, Taiwan. On his return from the Orient he again began concerts here at home including a presentation in the Crocker Art Museum Series in Sacramento.  After which he performed the role of Scarpia in the opera “Tosca”  with the San Francisco Opera. In 1990 Dr. Pelayo went  to Russia to participate in the Georg Ots Festival, Estonia,  where he gave Master Classes & sang in the “Gala Concert”. Dr. Pelayo has sung with many of the greatest artists around the world, sung the role of Rigoletto more than 150 times & performed Danilo in “The Merry Widow” over 1000 times.  A supreme singing-actor, of enormous good looks and Latin fire, Hernan Pelayo attributes his vocal artistry as much his way of life as to his vocal training. He puts his whole soul into his song reflecting a life of wide experience, strict discipline & an aware, committed spirit, as well as pure vocal tone & superb technique.  Adventures in India led him to become a master of Yoga, with the rare privilege of being  permitted inside the Monasteries in the high Himalayas.  A contemporary man, he is an avid science and sci-fi fan.  The artist has been  honored by eight Latin American presidents & received 5 humanitarian awards for his performances to promote the awareness of Classical Music Culture for over 100,000 children in California & impoverished areas of the world. His records are on RCA Victor, Orion Master Records, Warner Brothers, SMC-NY, and Panart.