Heart Theatre is set to present Jesús Daniel Hernández at North Valley Music School for a complimentary concert on September 26, featuring Mitchell Zeidwig and Mike Eldred.
“When you hear Jesús sing, you feel the power of the human voice”— Stacy Whittle
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7 p.m., when Heart Theatre, alongside the environmental group Corazón Latino and Amazing Place Music, hosts Jesús Daniel Hernández, known as The Walking Tenor, at North Valley Music School. This free event will showcase his repertoire of opera, the Neapolitan songs he holds dear, boleros, and a few unexpected selections.
Hailing from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Hernández moved to the United States as a teen. He subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq. In 2007, after catching a Plácido Domingo performance in San Antonio, Hernández managed to secure an audience with the legendary tenor. Impressed, Domingo invited him to join the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera.
From there, Hernández has taken on leading operatic roles across the United States and Europe. As The Walking Tenor, he also brings his craft beyond traditional venues, performing for audiences wherever he encounters them.
The event coincides with National Public Lands Day, the country’s largest one-day volunteer initiative for public lands, observed on Saturday, September 26. This date carries extra significance given Heart Theatre’s connection to its partner organization, Corazón Latino, which has a long-standing collaboration with the USDA Forest Service on conservation efforts.
“When you experience the power of Jesús’s voice, you understand the power of the human voice,” remarked Stacy Whittle, Artistic Director of Heart Theatre. “There is just pure joy in the way he sings. That’s why we’re bringing Jesús to Whitefish. We want the community to experience that joy for themselves.”
Mitchell Zeidwig, a Whitefish resident, will accompany Hernández on piano. A Juilliard-trained concert pianist, Zeidwig has graced stages like Carnegie Hall and performed with orchestras around the globe.
Mike Eldred, a Whitefish tenor and Executive Director of Amazing Place Music, will team up with Hernández for a rendition of John Denver’s “Perhaps Love.” With over four decades in professional performance, Eldred’s Broadway résumé includes roles in Les Misérables as Jean Valjean and the original cast of The Civil War.
The concert, under Whittle’s artistic direction, is produced by Felipe Benítez, Co-Founder of Heart Theatre and Executive Director of Corazón Latino.
Heart Theatre describes itself as a theatre on the run, never meant to be confined to a single building. Whittle and Benítez founded the company to deliver professional theatre and music straight to communities. That mission might involve staging a play or bringing an artist like Hernández to a spot like Whitefish, where local musicians are invited to share the spotlight.
Recent Heart Theatre projects include scenes from Terrence McNally’s Master Class, featuring Whittle as Maria Callas in both the U.S. and Spain. The company is also crafting new work inspired by the life and music of Mario Lanza.
Heart Theatre is committed to keeping performances accessible to everyone, offering free community events such as the September 26 concert. This commitment is made possible by supporters who pitch in, and Whitefish has proven to be a welcoming home for these efforts.
“We are so grateful for the way Whitefish has welcomed us,” Whittle said. “Local legend, musician, and all-around amazing person Bill Montgomery believed in this from the beginning. So many people here have given their time and helped us make this happen. We hope this is just the beginning of our relationship with Whitefish.”
Community backing is what enables Heart Theatre to hit the road and keep events like this one free of charge. The company’s founding idea is straightforward: your location or ticket budget shouldn’t limit your access to exceptional art.
You don’t need to be an opera expert to attend. Just show up.
Join Heart Theatre for an evening to remember.
THE WALKING TENOR IN CONCERT
Presented by Heart Theatre / Teatro del Corazón
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
North Valley Music School
1998 River Lakes Parkway
Whitefish, Montana 59937
Free admission
Jesús Daniel Hernández, The Walking Tenor
With Mitchell Zeidwig on piano
Special guest Mike Eldred
Artistic Direction by Stacy Whittle
Produced by Felipe Benítez
ABOUT HEART THEATRE / TEATRO DEL CORAZÓN
Heart Theatre / Teatro del Corazón is a travelling theatre founded by Stacy Whittle and Felipe Benítez.
The company brings professional theatre and music to communities and unconventional venues. Its work spans the development of Master Class, concerts, and original projects with artists from the U.S. and beyond.
Heart Theatre holds that neither geography nor ticket prices should dictate who experiences great art. Donors and local partners are vital to keeping these offerings accessible.
To learn more about Heart Theatre or to contribute, visit www.HeartTheatre.net.
MEDIA CONTACT
Stacy Whittle
Artistic Director
Heart Theatre / Teatro del Corazón
202-664-4013
stacylwhittle@gmail.com
Stacy Whittle
Heart Theatre / Teatro del Corazón
+1 202-664-4013
email us here
