Choir
Choir Director, Charley (Gnarley Charley) Stoykovich heads up our singing chorale of dedicated music ministers. Our choir is a beautiful resounding collection of soulful voices and personalities, all gathered to worship Jesus Christ in giving thanks and glory to God Almighty.
Fernando Varela
Music Director / Soloist
Fernando Varela has been the Music Director of St. Paul Parish since 2009. He currently heads up our outreach ministry to Orlando’s inner city youth, mentoring young persons in a music ministry.
The story behind Fernando Varela begins and ends with a voice. A voice that the press is constantly comparing to some of the world’s greatest.
Fernando’s powerful voice tells the tale of a breathtaking tenor whose spirit and determination has defied the odds.
Varela recently shared this voice with worldwide audiences who were continuously amazed and left standing on their feet after watching his participation in Europe’s popularNight of the Proms tour, sharing the stage with notable talents such as Gavin DeGraw, The Beach Boys, Joe Jackson, Basement Jaxx, Maria Mena, OMD, Johannes Oerding, and Natalie Imbruglia. The innovation of star choreographer and creative director Marvin A. Smith inspired the astounding performance Fernando delivered on stage.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando moved to Florida at the age of eight, and while he always loved music it was not until he was seventeen that he discovered the impressive talent he had within him. With no formal training, Fernando sang for a university music panel out of high school and was presented with the barrier of doubt and adversity. His performance resulted in the professor’s laughing and telling Fernando “Don’t quit your day job, music is not for you.”
Fernando turned doubt and disbelief from others into a fierce drive to succeed. He quit his day job at a successful financial firm and set out to achieve his dream. With more than a decade of hard work and dedication, he transformed into one of the most captivating tenors in the world today.
Fernando trained with some of opera’s renowned classical icons and tours worldwide with Grammy Award-Winning producer David Foster [Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban]. He has also performed amongst some legendary superstars including Lionel Richie, Gladys Knight, Steven Tyler, The Beach Boys, Josh Groban, Babyface, Peter Cetera, Neil Diamond, Seal, Jewel, and Chaka Kahn. He has also performed his own fifty date tour across the North America.
Varela signed with German record label, Deutsche Grammophon and United States Verve Label Group (Universal Music Group companies) and released his new album “Vivere,” March 2017.
Vivere, recorded at the famous Abbey Road Recording Studio in the London and produced by Belgian producer Patrick Hamilton [Katherine Jenkins, Alfie Boe, David Garrett], is a classical pop crossover album that perfectly showcases Fernando’s infectious optimism, and soaring vocals. His accompanying PBS Special, "Coming Home” aired in March 2017.
Fernando Varela sets the standard for what true musicianship is all about. His unique voice and engaging passion lights up the stage. His story demonstrates the power of not giving up on a dream, even when the odds are stacked against you.
“You’re going to be a big star!” – Barbra Streisand
“You’re my secret weapon. There’s no one in the world that can do what you do!” – David Foster
“Unbelievable. You just stopped the room! That’s magic!” – Lionel Richie
“Your voice is touched by God” – Carole Bayer Sager
“I have heard very few voices like yours” – Maestro Giancarlo Chiaramello (Conductor and Arranger for the late Luciano Pavarotti)
Kathleen Kane
Soloist
Devin Eatmon
Soloist
