The Official Website of Chris Jones, singer

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Education

Master of Music in Performance, 2001
Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA

Bachelor of Music in Performance, 1999
Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA

Additional Training

Summer Training Program, 2007
International Lyric Academy, Rome, Italy

Principal Teachers

Patricia Miller: George Mason University
Jason Stearns: Metropolitan Opera
Bard Suverkrop: Shenandoah University
Janette Ogg: Shenandoah University

Academic Awards and Honors

1999 - Cecilia Award for Vocal Excellence, Shenandoah University

Vocal Teaching Experience

2006–Present - Singer and Music Teacher, Outreach Chorus "Singing A – Z", Washington, DC

Betty Buchanan, Music Director - Bass section leader and music teacher for non-profit outreach chorus. Bringing music to public schools in Northeast and Southeast Washington, DC, including Anacostia. Teaching basic elements of music to at-risk children who have limited access to music education and performance, culminating in an interactive concert in selected schools during the spring.

2003–Present - Private Voice Lessons

MISSION: Helping a student to discover his or her natural voice through positive reinforcement, healthy vocalise exercises, and sensitivity to the unique qualities and characteristics of each individual voice. Developing positive vocal health habits by focusing on a holistic life approach to singing, and placing strong emphasis on the mind/body connection to singing. Specialties include working with students who have self-confidence issues, especially regarding voice changes during teenage years, shyness, and stage fright.

Performance Experience

Operatic Roles

2007 - Saint Peter, Too Many Sopranos
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 2007

2007 - Warder, The Dark Lady of the Sonnets (World Premier)
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

2005 - Peter, Hansel and Gretel
Bel Cantanti Opera, Washington, DC

2005 - Fiorello, Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Bel Cantanti Opera, Washington, DC

2004 - King Melchior, Amahl and the Night Visitors
Bel Cantanti Opera, Washington, DC

2004 - Count Ceprano, Rigoletto
Bel Cantanti Opera, Washington, DC

2003 - King Melchior, Amahl and the Night Visitors
Bel Cantanti Opera, Washington, DC

2003 - Shaunard, La Bohème
Bel Cantanti Opera, Washington, DC

Opera Chorus

2010 - Porgy & Bess
Washington National Opera, Washington, DC

Press Link: Noted in Examiner.com Washington DC
Press Link: NPR
Press Link: Washington Times
Press Link: Washington Examiner

2009 - Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Washington National Opera, Washington, DC

2009 - Turandot
Washington National Opera, Washington, DC

Press Link: Washington Post

2008 - Carmen
Washington National Opera, Washington, DC

Press Link: Washington Examiner

Recitals and Events

2010 - Drew Nussbaum Gallery Opening
Newseum, Washington, DC

Press Link: http://snarkinfested.com/2010/07/16/dc-premiere-of-drew-nussbaum/
Photo Link: http://snarkinfested.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/opera-singer-98.jpg

Church Music Experience

2008–Present - St John's Lafayette Square - Washington, DC, Music Director: Benjamin Hutto

St. John's Choir, Bass
St. John's Parish Choir, Bass Section Leader
Bass section of exclusive St. John's Choir of twelve professionals. Bass Section Leader of St. John's Parish Choir, providing leadership, support, and encouragement to members of the volunteer choir.

2008–2009 - Church of the Redeemer - Baltimore, MD, Music Director: Henry Lowe, Robert Chrystal

Cantor, Holy Week, “The Great Vigil of Easter”

2007–2008 - St. Albans Episcopal Church - Washington, DC, Music Director: Sonya Sutton

The Alban Singers, Bass
Salisbury Choir, Bass Section Leader
Bass section of The Alban Singers choir of professionals. Bass Section Leader of Salisbury Choir, providing leadership, support, and encouragement to members of the volunteer choir.

2006–2007 - Washington National Cathedral - Washington, DC, Music Director: Michael McCarthy

Choir of Men and Boys

2006–2007 - Washington National Cathedral - Washington, DC, Music Director: Scott Hanoian

Cathedral Voices Choir
Bass, Section Leader
Bass Section Leader of Cathedral Voices Choir, providing leadership, support, and encouragement to members of the volunteer choir.

1997–2006 - St. James' Episcopal Church - Leesburg, Virginia, Music Director: Stephen Cooksey

St. James' Choir
Bass, Section Leader
Bass Section Leader of St. James' Choir, providing leadership, support, and encouragement to members of the volunteer choir.

Master Classes

Carol Vaness

Ruth Drucker

Louise McClelland Urban

Coaches

Michael Crabill

Katerina Souverova

Janice Suverkrop

Conductors

Julius Rudel

John Mauceri

Kerri-Lynn Wilson

Michele Mariotti

J. Reilly Lewis

Other Skills

Authentic, idiomatic, nuanced diction proficiency in all major languages.

Music Theater

Acting

Dance/Movement

References

References available upon request.

Chris Jones is a master vocalist, specializing in opera and contemporary commercial music (music theater, jazz, and pop). He is the complete package - combining a beautiful, classically trained voice, a magnetic stage presence, dramatic acting ability, and good looks, with a sense of humor and a sense of fun. He brings music to life with his voice by infusing the music and the text with the heart and soul of a true performer.

A native of Chevy Chase, Maryland, he completed both undergraduate and graduate studies at Shenandoah University & Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia, where he studied with Janette Ogg and Bard Suverkrop.

Chris Jones has sung professionally with all the major choruses of Washington D.C. as a member of the prestigious Professional Core section, including the Washington Bach Consort, the Men Of The Choirs at Washington National Cathedral, the Cathedral Choral Society, the Washington Chorus, and the Master Chorale of Washington.

He has sung leading roles with Bel Cantanti Opera, The Bethesda Summer Music Festival, The Washington Savoyards, and he made his debut with Washington National Opera in the chorus during the 2008–2009 season.

During the spring/summer of 2007 Chris participated in the International Lyric Academy in Rome and Viterbo, Italy, and played the role of St. Peter in Act 1 of Edwin Penhorwood’s opera Too Many Sopranos with George Mason University Opera.

During the 2008–2009 season, he sang in the chorus of Washington National Opera in productions of Carmen and Turandot. For the 2009–2010 season at Washington National Opera, Chris sang in the chorus for productions of The Barber of Seville and Porgy and Bess.

This season (2010–2011), Chris Jones will be offering recitals, performing at events in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area, and recording his first demo CD during the summer.