Written by: Eldee Eyimife, Communications Coordinator, AGMA
When Dr. Wagner Mauricio Pástor joined AGMA in 2022 through the Cincinnati Opera, he brought with him more than talent. He carried the weight of history as one of the first Ecuadorians to earn a doctorate in Musical Arts, and with it, a commitment to ensure that Hispanic voices are heard and celebrated on the operatic stage.
Dr. Wagner Pástor first arrived in the United States in 2013 as a Geography Engineering student on scholarship to study English for eight months. His temporary stay would become a pivotal turning point in his musical journey as he joined the Vandaleers, a chamber choir, after being encouraged by choir director to pursue a music career. He did just that, ultimately completing his doctoral dissertation on Ecuadorian music, and becoming one of the first Ecuadorians to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance (Opera) degree from the University of Kentucky, under the guidance of Dr Everett McCorvey.
For Wagner, the intersection of song and heritage created a space of belonging and a home far from Quito, Ecuador. As his artistry developed, Wagner began to see himself not only as a performer but also as a cultural bridge.
According to Dr. Pástor, his intentional efforts to celebrate his heritage can be perfectly encapsulated by the indigenous Ecuadorian song, “La Toronja y el Limón,” composed by Gerardo Guevara. He shared, “On the surface, it’s about a grapefruit and a lemon, but really it speaks to how people, regardless of language, skin color, or beliefs, can come together…Through my work, I hope companies don’t just typecast Hispanic performers as waiters, construction workers, or agricultural workers. We are more than that; we have dreams and can bring magic to the stage.”
His dedication to his roots inspired him to create Arte Lirico with the Ecuadorian non-profit musical organization Fundación Cultural Armonía during the pandemic, a program that linked Ecuadorian singers with teachers in the United States. The project flourished with nearly half of its participants eventually moving abroad to pursue advanced musical studies.
Wagner’s story is one of perseverance, vision, and profound cultural pride. From a brief scholarship stay in Idaho to becoming one of the first Ecuadorians with a doctorate in Opera, he has transformed his personal journey into a broader mission: to amplify Hispanic voices in spaces that have long overlooked them. Whether through academia, performance, or community building, his work insists that Latin American music and artists belong at the center of the operatic stage. Like the song of La Toronja y el Limón, his career embodies the possibility of unity across difference—a reminder that when traditions meet and voices join, something vibrant and enduring is created.