Do you know what Barihunk means? It’s a baritone – the power verse of the opera world if you will – that has that steamy hunkiness that makes you look twice…three times if they are wearing grey sweatpants.

Baritone Zachary Gordin is redefining what it means to be an opera star in the 21st Century. Praised for his “arresting musical insights” and a voice that is “commanding and intense,” he has an active performance schedule while also maintaining his passion for fitness, community engagement, artistic consulting, and mentoring. Gordin’s celebrated vocal technique has won him numerous awards and his commitment to education makes him an effective, results-driven voice trainer. He serves as General Director of Festival Opera, was on the voice faculty of Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University, operates a private vocal studio in the San Francisco Bay Area, serves as a judge for regional and national voice competitions, and frequently gives masterclasses at some of the country’s most renowned opera companies and schools. Gordin is also widely recognized as a frequent presence on Barihunks, a site dedicated to physically fit and vocally-gifted operatic baritones from around the globe.

On this episode of US of Gay, we chat about what the opera scene looks like post-COVID, elitism in the arts, the necessity for the funding of art programs in public schools, inclusivity in the opera world, coming out, staying healthy, listening to Nicki, running Festival Opera, relationships in the arts, gym workouts…and steamy Instagram selfies. Hosted by Alexander Rodriguez.