From the Bronx to worldwide.
Rafael is an artist based in New York and Florida who is always in search of the next adventure. From an early age, his mother instilled in him a fierce spark of curiosity when pursuing one's interests. Life felt like a constant 2-train
on-the-go to the next class, lesson, or performance, but there was still time to thoroughly enjoy a childhood. Growing up in a proud Puerto Rican household taught him the following: work tremendously hard, keep yourself humble, and be proud of who you are and where you came from.
Rafael received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA partaking regularly in productions as well as developing skills in directing and arts management in student-based events. Throughout the years he would also perform with the resident on-site summerstock, Shenandoah Summer Music Theater, with some notable productions being Les Miserablés, Mary Poppins, Man of La Mancha, Spamalot, and Oklahoma.
Since then, he has also worked with United Parks & Resorts at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia for several seasons and a successful acting apprenticeship with Walnut Street Theater in partnership with the Department of Education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His adventures have also gone worldwide as a production cast singer with Celebrity Cruises Entertainment and as a member of NYC3 and Shades of Bublé with Blue Flint Productions, now operated by EPIC Arts Management.
Rafael is an inaugural cast member of Celebrity Cruises flagship, Celebrity Ascent and a seasonal vocal/install director for the company.