Jason Duika

Baritone

 

Baritone Jason Duika is quickly making a name for himself in the classical music world.  Most recently, he sang the title role in Verdi’s Nabucco to great acclaim in October of 2019  with West Bay Opera, in California and in the previous June, he sang the Baritone solos in  Vaughan Williams “Dona Nobis Pacem” with Mid America Productions at Carnegie Hall’s 3,000  seat Isaac Stern Auditorium. 

 

In his Spring of 2019 portrayal of Herode in Massenet’s Herodiade, with New  Amsterdam Opera, John Yohalem of Parterre Box noted, “Jason Duika has a sizable and  remarkably lofty baritone, which should serve him well for Verdi roles -

he topped “Vision  Fugitive” with an A-flat. And yet his delivery seemed effortless, lyric, a melting, manly sound.”  Also, in the previous February, Jason sang his first Verdi title role, Francesco Foscari in I Due  Foscari with West Bay Opera. He also sang Marcello in La Boheme there, in October of  2018, where the reviews said, “Jason Duika sang with glorious round tone, and unimpeachable  legato.” 

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In February of 2018, Jason was asked to return to his Alma Mater, the Indiana  University Jacobs School of Music and sing the lead Baritone role of Enrico, Lucia’s brother in  Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. Of his portrayal of Enrico, the critics said, “…A beautiful  instrument, manly, generous and assured in timbre. Not only some, but many really stunning,  thrilling notes in his delivery. Clearly an ideal role for him. Bravo! Onwards and upwards.”  -Martin Snell, and, “Jacobs School alum and baritone Jason Duika returned to sing Enrico,  Lucia’s brother. His villainous role was deftly offered, both musically and theatrically.” Peter  Jacobi, The Herald Times. Being praised by Oregon music news for having a, “big, warm  voice” and, “spot-on comic timing…”  

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This coming April, Jason was to return to his Alma mater, Alma College, in Alma,  Michigan to sing his first Elijah in their annual Masterworks concert, but Covid prevented that.  The following month, he was to return to California, to sing the lead baritone role of Giorgio  Germont in Verdi’s La Traviata, again with West Bay Opera, but it has been postponed til the  future. Jason makes his home in Dexter Michigan, and he is also under Randsman artist  management with Peter Randsman in New York City, where he studies with Andrea DelGiudice.  

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He is a graduate of Alma College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music,  with emphasis on Voice in 2006, Portland State University, where he received a Masters of  Music in Voice performance in 2010, and the Indiana University Jacobs School of music, where  he received a Performer Diploma in Voice Performance in 2012.