John Huebner

Opera Singer

Cultural Anthropologist

Researcher

Author

Humanitarian

About John

John Huebner is a 18-year-old high school senior with a passion for world cultures, opera singing, history and helping others.  During a gap year abroad sparked by his multiple international singing opportunities, John co-created and produced a free concert series Opera in Small Bites which he performed in 15 countries and 7 continents. John also experienced cultural immersion visiting 43 countries which led to writing a research-based book on cultures and starting a nonprofit to help people impacted by the pandemic in developing countries.

Cultural Experiences (Cultural immersion in 43 countries)

Partially enabled by international singing opportunities, John spent nearly a year visiting 43 countries delving into local cultures, societal structures, religions, traditions, histories and governments. He logged hundreds of local cultural experiences including visiting Indigenous People’s villages, participating in religious ceremonies and cultural shows, and attending local lectures talking with locals. John particularly enjoyed visiting 171 places of worship across 8 different religions, including mediating with Buddhist monks and a pilgrimage with Tibetan nomads.

Opera in Small Bites (Free opera concert series)

Opera in Small Bites is a multi-cultural music collaboration that brings live opera to more diverse and inclusive audiences. In its purest art form, opera is meant to be enjoyed live without the added enhancement of microphones. Opera in Small Bites includes a series of free, 45-minute opera concerts, co-created, directed and performed by John Huebner in venues such as theaters, churches and auditoriums. Opera in Small Bites also includes impromptu performances in a variety of settings including restaurants, parks and hotel lobbies.

Small Countries, Big Cultures Vol I & II (Research-based book series)

John authored a two volume research-based book analyzing how the historical developments of 10 countries impacted their present-day cultures and challenges. Published in September 2020, Volume I covered Ireland, North Korea, New Zealand, Estonia and Hong Kong. With an anticipated publication date in December 2020, Volume II covers Uruguay, Antarctica, Antigua, Singapore and Belize. 672 pages in all.  

Performances (60+ performances around the world)

John acheived a personal achievement of singing on every continent. John has performed an opera solo at Carnegie Hall and performed with the NY Lyric Opera Theatre, the San Francisco Opera Conservatory, the Vienna Philharmonic at the Salzburg Festival and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Disney Concert Hall. Other venues include the prestigious Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, National Opera Center, Kyoto Concert Hall, Los Angeles’ Disney Concert Hall, and Toykos’s Blue Rose Room at Suntory Hall.

International Support for the Impacted (Nonprofit Organization focused on Food Insecurity)

International Support for the Impacted (ISI) provides aid to fight food insecurity in the developing world. ISI provides food aid micro-grants to individuals who are struggling to feed their families due to COVID-19 related loss of work. People who qualify submit an application for a grant and if approved, are provided an amount to feed their family for one month. John started this project with his siblings who wanted to find a way to help others in the most direct way possible. Book proceeds from above are donated to ISI.