Born and raised in Iloilo City, Philippines, baritone Danlie Rae Acebuque came to Canada in 2011 with his family in pursuit of a better life and opportunities.

Described for possessing a “beautiful, warm baritone voice with enviable flexibility and an easy top” (Claudia Friedlander), and his “fresh, suave baritone” (Opera Canada), Filipino-Canadian baritone Danlie Rae Acebuque holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Master’s of Music in Opera Performance in the studio of the Canadian soprano, Frédérique Vézina at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music.

A recipient of several awards, dedicated, and passionate artist, Danlie Rae was the first recipient of the prestigious Ivan Alexandor Chorney Opera Scholarship at the University of Toronto in 2021 and in March of 2022, Danlie Rae became the recipient of the Stuart Hamilton Memorial Award with Voicebox Opera in Concert. In 2023, Danlie Rae was one of the Encouragement Award Recipients at The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition - Oregon District and one of Audience Choice at the MET’s Laffont Competition - Western Canada District.

An energetic, charismatic, versatile and moving performer, Danlie Rae had debuted his operatic roles as Figaro (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi), Gugliemo (Cosi fan tutte), Billy (Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny), Escamillo (La Tragedie de Carmen), Top (The Tender Land), and Reverend John Smithurst (Florence: The Lady with The Nightlamp), Créon (Médée) to name a few.

In concert settings, Danlie Rae performed as a soloist in premiering both standard and new composed works such as Handel’s Messiah, To a clump of Moss by Matthew Luong at the UofT Composer Series, Mozart’s Requiem, world premiere of Alpha and Omega for mezzo-soprano and baritone by Kai Leung, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Brahm’s Ein Deutschess Requiem where live audiences praised his performances as heart grabbing, sensitive, and expressive. Danlie Rae is currently working on premiering a Filipino art song cycle entitled Liham, a song cycle for mezzo-soprano/baritone and piano (music by Juro Kim Feliz; words by Riley Palanca) which will be premiered on a later date with mezzo-soprano, Renee Fajardo.

Danlie Rae was a Sidgwick Scholar with Orpheus Choir of Toronto and Pax Christi Chorale’s Bass section lead where he performed both as a soloist and ensemble member. Danlie Rae was also an Art of Song Fellow with Toronto Summer Music in 2021 and had participated in the first annual Canadian Opera Company Summer Intensive Program in 2022. In 2022, Danlie Rae appeared as the baritone soloist with Hart House Chorus for their Handel’s Messiah conducted by Daniel Norman, and with Chorus Niagara for their Christmas Concert titled Welcome Christmas where he performed Vaughan William’s Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Finzi’s In Terra Pax under the baton of Robert Cooper. In 2023, Danlie Rae returned on the main-stage with Voicebox: Opera in Concert as King Créon for their production of Cherubini’s Medée, and debuted his role as Dr. Falke for Strauss’s Die Fledermaus with the Toronto City Opera under the baton of Jennifer Tung. He had also participated in premiering a new opera work by Rebecca Gray titled The Bus at the Canadian Music Centre and with New Music Concerts. Danlie Rae was a mentor with Marigold Music Program where he helps inspire young high school students through music and personal goals.

This season, Danlie Rae is a proud member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program with Vancouver Opera.

Outside of music, Danlie Rae enjoys baking, cooking and enjoying different kinds of street and comfort foods from different cultural background.