Praised as a “Standout” with “boisterous comic energy” by the Star Tribune, Baritone Justin Anthony Spenner is known throughout the Twin Cities for his artistic honesty and engaging versatility. At home with Schubert as he is with Stockhausen, Justin’s appearances run the gamut from oratorio staples with regional organizations to world premieres of experimental music with 113 Composers Collective. As a 2016 Artist Initiative Grant recipient, Justin produced a staged version of Schubert’s Die Winterreise, which used dance and commissioned photography to reimagine the piece through the lens of mental illness. Recent stage credits include Guglielmo (Cosi fan tutte) with Skylark Opera Theatre, Philocome (La belle Hélène) with Lakes Area Music Festival, John Sorel (The Consul) with Arbeit Opera Theatre, Morales/Dancaïro (Carmen) with Pine Mountain Music Festival, 2nd Priest/Armored Man (Die Zauberflöte) with LAMF, and Billy Bigelow (Carousel) with The American Gothic Performing Arts Festival.

Soloist credits include Niccolai Messe/Coronation Mass/The Messiah (Haydn/Mozart/Handel) with St. Johns Lutheran Music Series, DIVAS & DRAG with AOT, Choral Fantasy (Beethovan) with St. Johns University, and Ein Deutsches Requiem (Brahms) with South Metro Chorale. Upcoming concerts include multiple appearances with La Grande Bande, Joey (The Most Happy Fella) with Skylark Opera Theatre, a world premiere as The Father (The Golden Ass) with 113 Composers Collective, and Schaunard (La Bohème) with Theater Latte Da. In addition to performing, Justin keeps an active private studio, develops Opera Immersion classes, and works as a grant editor/consultant for various Twin Cities art non-profits and individual artists.