Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Alberto de la Paz began exploring his love for singing at a young age. A great part of his early choral experience before coming to the United States consisted of choral arrangements from a diverse variety and styles of Latin American music. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he graduated with high honors with a degree in music education. Upon his audition he was one of the few music students selected to receive the Talented Student Scholarship. During his years in college he was an important member as well as soloist for several choirs and vocal ensembles like the Chamber Singers, Black Chorus, Varsity Men’s Glee Club, UI Chorale, University Mixed Chorus and the Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Upon graduation, he was selected to participate at the Young Artist Program at the Illinois Bach Academy where he presented a concert along other young artists, and appeared as Servus for a performance of Bach’s St. John’s Passion. The year after graduation he started working at Leyden High School, where he co-directed five curricular choirs as well as three extracurricular vocal ensembles. He also worked as co-director with two extracurricular jazz vocal ensembles at Oak Park and River Forest High School. When he isn’t busy singing, he enjoys reading a good novel or dancing salsa.