Biography
Max Mendez, is currently serves as a Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He has been an active part of the Inland Northwest music community for the last 18 years. He divides his time between conducting, teaching and performing. For the last fourteen years at North Idaho College he has conducted the NIC Cardinal Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Choirs under his direction have performed concerts in Mexico, San Francisco, and Carnegie Hall.
Professor Mendez has served as guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for festivals and workshops throughout Idaho and Washington including the Spokane School District’s Festival of the Arts, the Idaho All-State Elementary Choir, the Gem State Mixed Honor Choir, the Canyon Country Mixed Honor Choir, and Twin Falls Middle School Honor Choir. Max has served as a conductor and musical director for Eastern Washington University, Spokane Civic Theater, and Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater. He has sung to critical success in the Northwest Bach Festival, the Spokane Symphony, and Spokane Opera. As an opera artist, he has performed with Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Opera Pacific, Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Spokane Opera, Opera Idaho, and Opera Coeur d’Alene. He has performed with many of the finest concert ensembles in the Inland Northwest including; the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, the Mid-Columbia Symphony, Mozart in the Park, Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra, , Allegro: Baroque and Beyond, Zephyr, Clarion Brass and the Northwest Bach Festival. His versatility as a singer ranges from opera and oratorio to musical theatre, cabaret, and popular styles.
Max is a founding member and artistic director of Spokane Choral Artists, a member of Male Ensemble Northwest (MEN), and a member of Tim Sharp’s Kentucky Harmony.
Professor Mendez is currently the president elect for the Idaho chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association. Max is a strong advocate for community involvement in arts and music programs. While on sabbatical from North Idaho College during the Spring 2019 term he pursued extended studies in the field of Body Mapping and Amusia.
