Steven Warnock

Tell us about your background:

I’m from Coatbridge in Scotland, and I’ve been performing since I was 15. I started off in rock bands and the school choir before moving into musical theatre and opera. I was fortunate to sing with the National Youth Choir of Scotland during my undergraduate studies at RCS, before moving to Bloomington, Indiana, to complete my master’s and a performance diploma at the Jacobs School of Music.

What sparked your love of the arts? 

I’d say it was my family who sparked my love of the arts. When I was really young, my gran would take me, my siblings, and cousins to the panto at the Pavilion or the King’s Theatre every year.

My mum and dad brought me to see touring shows that came through Glasgow—like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, War Horse, Les Misérables, and others. As a teenager, I was lucky enough to visit family in New Jersey every other summer or so, and my aunt and cousin would take me to see Broadway shows. My brother and sister took me to gigs at venues like the Barras, ABC, and SECC.

Later, when I began studying opera, my dad came with me to Scottish Opera productions and touring opera performances in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The arts and my family have always been closely intertwined—and still are. The arts make me feel like I’m home.

What was it like studying at RCS? 

It was hugely intimidating at first. I didn’t have formal musicianship training during my primary, high school, or college education, so I had a lot of ground to make up. Despite those challenges, the faculty and staff were incredibly welcoming and supportive.

My fellow students across different disciplines were so friendly and helped me along the way. I made some lifelong friendships and connections at RCS that I still cherish and keep in touch with today.

How did your time at RCS prepare you for the world of work?

My time at RCS emphasised the importance of being a dynamic collaborator and a strong communicator. It gave me the confidence to walk into any room – an audition, an interview, a networking event – and engage with people from all walks of life. RCS taught me how to advocate for the performing arts and how to champion not just my own work, but the work of fellow artists as well.

What has been your most memorable moment from your career so far? 

That’s an easy one. Last November, I had the opportunity to work with the Metropolitan Opera, in collaboration with Jacobs School of Music, on the world premiere workshop performance of Mason Bates and Gene Scheer’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay – the opening production for the Met’s 2025/26 season.

I performed the role of Tracey Bacon, which allowed me to portray a gay man on stage for the first time in my career – an incredibly fulfilling and affirming experience. Collaborating with giants of the opera world – including direction from Bartlett Sher, conducting by Grammy Award-winner Michael Christie, and the Met’s executive production team – was a dream and the perfect way to cap off my time at the Jacobs School.

What’s next for you? 

Well, last week I received an email from the Executive Stage Director at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, offering me an acting role in the upcoming world premiere of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. So, I’ll be moving to New York in August to take part in that exciting production and to officially begin my career in NYC.

It’s truly a dream come true to perform at one of the biggest and best opera houses in the world. Rehearsals begin exactly six years to the day since I moved to the U.S.