Alan Dornak originally studied tenor at Sam Houston State University with Dr. Walter Foster and received his Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1996. Upon graduation he moved to Houston to work as a voice teacher and pursue his tenor career, singing such roles as Tonio in La Fille de Regiment with the Houston Opera Theatre.
In the summer of 1998 he appeared in Linz, Austria, taking on the role of Paolino in Cimarosa&Mac226;s Il Matrimonio Segreto with the Junge Oper Oberösterreich. Subsequently he moved to Cottbus, Germany, for a long-term engagement at the Brandenburg State Theater.
In a production of Dido and Aeneas in 1999, Mr. Dornak sang both the role of the Seaman (tenor) and that of the Spirit (countertenor). Encouraged by the success of his performance as the Spirit, Mr. Dornak decided to explore the possibities of singing countertenor. He then attended a summer masterclass with Michael Chance, which was instrumental in his decision to leave his position at the theatre and further pursue his career as a freelance countertenor. He was awarded a grant by the Gretl and Horst Will Foundation enabling him to enter into studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Dresden, Germany, with Prof. Margret Trappe-Wiel and Prof. Ludger Rémy, receiving his diploma in February of 2002.
Directly upon switching to countertenor, Mr. Dornak found himself in demand as a concert soloist with engagements with distinguished groups, such as the Dresdner Kreuzchor, Berliner Lautten Compagney, Dresdner Kammerchor, Sächsiches Vocalensemble and the Ensemble Alte Musik Dresden.
Mr. Dornak made his countertenor stage debut in 2001 with the Berliner Kammeroper as Valerius in Der Tempel des Janus by R. Kaiser. Further notable operatic engagements include the role of Ubaldo in La Gerusalemme Liberata by C. Pallavicino with the Berliner Lautten Compagney at the Dresden Music Festival, and the role of Cleone in Orfeo by C. H. Graun with the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin at the Music Festival Potsdam-Sanssouci. In February of 2003 he appeared in New York City singing the title role in Händels Giulio Cesare with the Myriad Opera Company.
Further operatic engagements in 2003 included the role of Odoardo/Lelio in Hasses La Sorella amante as part of the Dresden Music Festival and the roles of Eris and Sophimene in numerous touring appointments of Die beständige Argenia by J. V. Meder. Mr. Dornak will make his Carnegie Hall debut with The Queen&Mac226;s Chamber Band in Oct. of 2003.
Mr. Dornak is heard on a regular basis during radio broadcasts throughout Germany where he currently resides.