Daniel Rodríguez (tenor)

Early years

Rodríguez, born in Brooklyn, New York, was the first of two children born to Carmen and Jose Rodríguez, who had emigrated from Puerto Rico as teenagers. Rodríguez' father and grandfather were both tenors, and other family members played various musical instruments. He cites the singing of Mario Lanza as an early musical influence after seeing the movie The Great Caruso.

At the age of ten, he began a serious study of music. His teen years were spent studying, and later as assistant director at the American Youth Repertory Company in Manhattan, under the tutelage of Juilliard trained Elliot Dorfman. During his early years, he also studied with Juilliard's Aldo Bruschi, as well as Miraslov Markoff from the Moscow Ballet and Opera company. Rodriguez performed in Carnegie Hall Del Terzo recital hall at age 16.

After he married at 19 and had a son, Rodriguez put music on hold, as he worked at a series of jobs, including short-order cook, caterer, taxi driver, truck driver, and postal worker, before joining the police force. At age 25, returned to music, by performing in concerts he developed himself, organizing an ensemble of musicians called Broadway Magic, performing around New York at retirement communities, churches, and for local charities.

Career highlights

Rodríguez entered the New York City Police Academy in 1995. After singing at his own graduation, he was chosen as one of the designated National Anthem singers in the NYPD's ceremonial division. New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani who had seen Rodríguez perform at various events, used his influence to arrange an audition for him at the Metropolitan Opera. His lack of classical training proved an insurmountable obstacle, however, and the Met dismissed him after he had sung but two notes.

June 2001, Rodríguez was the subject of a Cable News Network special about a New York City police officer who sang at Carnegie Hall. He was driving to work over the Verrazano Bridge in New York City at the time of the September 11 terrorist attack, and was two blocks away from the World Trade Center when it collapsed. "I lived the horrors of 9/11 and made peace with God several times that day, and said goodbye to my family once or twice, and realized I was meant to stick around and do something positive with my life." He would spend the next several months working at Ground zero, interrupted only by requests to sing at official functions, memorials and media events. Rodriguez performed the national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" at "Prayer for America" on October 23, 2001, at Yankee Stadium.

He was soon appearing on news and talk shows including, The Today Show, The Early Show, Larry King Live, Late Show with David Letterman, "The Oprah Winfrey Show", and Live with Regis and Kelly. He was also interviewed in 2002 and 2005 on Christopher Close-up. Rodríguez has been quoted as saying "Watching the Twin Towers collapse didn't make me sing any better. But the passion for the music has changed and for what I represent: The comfort and the feeling of national pride that I bring now more than I did before." He performed at the September 23, 2001 "Prayer For America" concert, honoring the victims of the September 11 terror attacks. Plácido Domingo, who was also on the bill, heard him sing and invited him to attend the Domingo/Vilar Young Artists Institute in Washington D.C. for 18 months of opera study. After seven years as a police officer and then finally gaining national recognition as a singer, he explains, "I wasn't a cop who started singing; I was a singer who became a cop...I've been given the gift to sing. I sing for those who have lost loved ones."

At Carnegie Hall's 111th season opening, October 2001, he sang "God Bless America", with the Berlin Philharmonic in a tribute to 9-11. He also signs his first recording contract in October 2001 offered by Manhattan Record Company's Arif Mardin and Ian Ralfini. Rodríguez was the first artist to sign with newly re-activated Manhattan, a division of EMI. In Mardin's life story, he describes Rodríguez as "golden voiced".

His debut performance before a worldwide audience occurred when he sang "God Bless America" at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. June 13, 2002, saw his first public concert backed by full symphony orchestra at Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lucas Richman. August 2002, Rodriguez performed at the Hollywood Bowl in "The Great American Concert: New York, New York" with John Mauceri conducting.

Broadcast on ESPN in 2003, he sang the National Anthem at the Indianapolis 500, and returned in 2008 to perform at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Allstate 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup. In 2004, he was part of a concert hosted by CNN anchor Paula Zahn, and TV personality Pat Sajak. along with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall in, in tribute to Fred Rogers, better known to children around the world, as Mister Rogers.

With his emerging success as a singer of both popular and classical music, he retired from the New York City Police Department in May 2004, to pursue music full-time. The following year he performed at a Memorial Mass at New York City's Cathedral of Saint Patrick, for Rainier III, Prince of Monaco who died April 6, 2005. In 2004 Rodríguez performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, as host of the Christmas Yuletide Celebration concert series, with Jack Everly principal pops conductor. In 2005 he hosted the inaugural production of Holiday Spectacular at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Appearance at the 50th anniversary of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, in April 2005, broadcast worldwide on Hour of Power. He has been a frequent guest since his first appearance April 2002. In June, he performed his debut with the Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall. In 2005, he appeared at the West Point Cadet Chapel at the United States Military Academy, New York, performing with the cadets to record "Into the Fire" for the CD/DVD Stand Ye Steady: Songs of Courage and Inspiration. In September of that year, Rodríguez appeared as part of promotion of that CD/DVD on nationally broadcast QVC, performing "Into The Fire".

On September 11, 2006, Rodríguez appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, wherein he performed "Amazing Grace" accompanied by professional pianist, Mike Garson. In 2009, Rodríguez performed a number of concerts in tribute to legendary singer, Mario Lanza, on the 50th anniversary of his death. 2009 began a nationwide tour across America, performing in over 110 cites.

August 2010, Rodriguez performed at a New York City rally against the building of an Islamic mosque near Ground Zero. February 2011, he performs at Opera Tampa's "Night of Stars" gala to honor Plácido Domingo. 2011 brings a new repertoire of Jazz, with a series of performances with the Jesse Lynch Trio. 2011 also brings collaboration with Andy Cooney, and Michael Amante as "The New York Tenors" in a series of concerts. September 11, 2012, Rodriguez performed the national anthem at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for a 9-11 Sunset memorial service. Dec 19, 2012, Rodriguez with the New York Tenors perform in a sold out Christmas show at Carnegie Hall.

March 1, 2013, at "Idol Across America" kick off in New York City. November 11, 2014 Rodriguez performs in the 95th annual Veterans Day parade in New York City. September 24, 2015, performance in a spiritual celebration at John F. Kennedy Airport as part of welcoming ceremony for Pope Francis arrival in New York City.

Capitol and presidential performances

In May 2002 Rodríguez performed in Washington D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officers memorial, where President Bush paid tribute to him with the following words: "I want to thank Daniel Rodríguez for lending his fabulous voice in tribute after tribute to the greatness of America. He performed at Ford's Theater Gala Celebration in 2002, attended by President George W. Bush. Other Capitol Hill performances were the National Memorial Day Concerts in Washington D.C. in 2002 and 2006 with conductor Erich Kunzel, and the "Celebration of Freedom" concert in January, 2005, honoring Bush's second inauguration as President. He performed at the 2011 National Memorial Day Concert in Washington DC under direction of Jack Everly. He also appeared at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City's Madison Square Garden where he performed "Amazing Grace.". In June 2007, he performed the National Anthem at the Jefferson Memorial, next to Challenger, for the delisting ceremony of the American bald eagle. As part of the 2007 Summer Music Festival, Rodríguez performed a solo concert, accompanied by classical pianist Victoria Ulanov, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

International appearances

September 11, 2003, Rodríguez was seen on the British TV show Today with Des and Mel hosted by Des O'Connor and Melanie Sykes. In November 2004, Rodríguez traveled to Monaco at the invitation of the IPA (International Police Association), for their 10th Anniversary Gala. Along with the Pipes and Drums unit of the Chicago Police Department, he sang at the royal palace for Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and at a requiem mass for Princess Grace of Monaco. 2004, appearances in New Zealand in numerous cities, including Wellington, Feilding, and Dunedin. Rodriguez traveled to Aichi, Japan for the 2005 Expo 2005 World's Fair, where he performed at the US Pavilion. He appeared in multiple Christmas tours during those years in the Netherlands. In 2008 he performed with Sharon Kips and Jimmy Earl Perry during the Hour of Power Kerstconcerten. January 2009, he appeared on TV NZ for a live interview discussing events at the upcoming inauguration of U.S. President elect, Barack Obama. In 2009 Rodríguez also performed in New Zealand with his wife in a "Legendary Lanza" concert tour. In 2010 he performed in New Zealand at the Queenstown Winter Festival.

Opera performances

Rodríguez made his operatic debut as Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in New York City with the Chelsea Opera in June 2006. New York Times music critic Anthony Tommasini wrote, "it was impossible not to respond to his portrayal. When he sang the touchstone aria,Vesti la giubba, venting Canio's grief and humiliation, you sensed that here was someone pouring out years of pent-up artistic longing." In 2007 Rodríguez performed again as Canio with Granite State Opera Company in New Hampshire, where he was awarded "2007 Best Performance of a leading male", by Opera online magazine. Paul Joseph Walkowski of Opera Online wrote of that performance by Rodriguez: "electrifying, pure magic, pure energy, pure emotion and blazing in glory. As Canio he stood in a class by himself: a star of easily recognizable magnitude and a force to be reckoned with on the opera stage." In 2008 at the Opera of the Hamptons, Southampton, New York, Rodríguez sang the role of Turridu opposite international soprano Cristina Fontanelli, in Pietro Mascagni's one-act opera, Cavalleria Rusticana. June 2012 Daniel performs in Madama Butterfly with Chelsea Opera in role of Lt. B. F. Pinkerton.

Personal life

Daniel is married to Marla Kavanaugh, a soprano who has performed around the world in concert and in opera. She was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and began her stage career at the age of five. Daniel and Marla have a permanent residence in New York, and travel the world performing together. They have one daughter, Alexandra, born in New Zealand in 2009. Daniel has a son and daughter, Daniel and Jai-Lisa, from his first marriage. He lists fishing as his favorite pastime, and is also an experienced scuba diver.

Philanthropy and charity work

Rodríguez has made appearances for The City of Hope National Medical Center, Duke University Hospital Children's Center, and is a regular at fundraising events for The Jimmy V Foundation for cancer research, and the Hilton Head Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit children's charities. He has performed for the annual New York Tunnel to Towers run to benefit the Stephen Siller children's foundation, and the Community Mayors Organization to benefit disabled children, where he is an honorary board member. He is a regular performer at Loma Linda University Medical Center Children's Hospital annual fundraisers, and in 2009 performed in concert with Broadway soprano Laurie Gayle Stephenson.

Broadcast on PBS August 2002, titled "Spirit of America" a benefit concert for the Scoliosis Care Foundation taped at Caesars Atlantic City, starred Daniel Rodriguez, guest performances by Linda Eder, Arturo Sandoval, Phoebe Snow, and Aprile Millo, orchestra conducted by Tom Scott. In 2003 Rodriguez performed in Appleton Wisconsin, at the International Community Partnerships Conference Security Through Stability featuring former Soviet Union President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mikhail Gorbachev. The following year he traveled to New Zealand for his debut tour, where he sang at a benefit for victims of recent flooding in that country.

He has been a longtime supporter of the United Service Organization with appearances at fundraisers, as well as visiting troops at military hospitals. In 2005, his project "Songs for the Soldiers", provided music in USO care packages for American troops overseas.

He performs at retirement communities, for police and firefighter support events, and for veterans causes, including appearances with the VA-National Medical Music Group. October 2006, New York City, Rodríguez kicked off World Children's Day at McDonald's, joined by Dancing with the Stars winner Emmitt Smith, runner-up Mario Lopez, the Duchess of York and other stars at anniversary event supporting World Children's Day at McDonald's. Rodríguez, named as "Goodwill Ambassador" supporting for "Heart for Children", with concert tour "Kerstconcerten 2008" . On February 14, 2010, Rodríguez was honored by the Sacramento Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution with a Silver Good Citizenship Medal.

January 2011, Rodriguez performed in Greymouth New Zealand for families of the 29 miners killed in underground explosions in November 2010. 2012 teams up with Gary Sinise in concerts around America to raise funds for homebuilding for severely injured returning troops. September 14, 2013, travels to Kandahar, Afghanistan to perform as representative of Tunnel to Towers Steven Siller Foundation.

Honors and awards

Career timeline