Jason Vest

E-mail: jason.vest@enmu.edu

Jason Vest began his musical training early in life, thanks to the influence of a dedicated elementary school music teacher. By the age of 10, Jason appeared on the stage of Carnegie Hall, singing with the Indianapolis Children's Choir. His continued interest in singing led him to Butler University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 2002. While at Butler, Jason performed the roles of Alfred in Die Fledermaus and the Governor in Candide. He also studied with Steven Stolen and Metropolitan Opera soprano Claudia Waite. He continued his studies at Brigham Young University where he performed the role of Alma in the world premiere of the opera Abinidai, as well as the roles of Nanki-Poo in The Mikado and Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail. After finishing his Masters of Music degree in Vocal Performance at BYU in 2005, Jason went to the University of Kentucky where he studied with Everett McCorvey and performed the role of Gastone in La Traviata. He will finish his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky in November.

Some highlights of his career include singing the tenor solos for the Mozart Requiem at the National Firefighter's Convention in 2002, following the attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2004, Jason sang concerts with the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, performing to enthusiastic crowds who came to hear the music of Mozart and Lehar.

Jason's articles were recently published in the September 2008 issue of Classical Singer magazine. His research interests focus on the history of vocal performance practice in early 19th-Century Italian Opera and French Grand Opera. He also enjoys the burgeoning field of voice science, in which he plans to continue his studies. Jason and his wife have three children and truly enjoy the challenges and joys of parenthood.