Tenor, Jonathan Walker-VanKuren is one of the Chrisman Studio Artists with Opera Santa Barbara for the 2017-2018 season. He has enjoyed a successful career both on and off the operatic stage performing works of the jazz, musical theatre, art song, and opera repertoires. His operatic performances include appearances as Martin in The Tender Land, Reverend Eager in A Room With a View, Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro, and most recently covering the role of Des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon. Mr. Walker-VanKuren participated in the Milnes Voice Programs in the summer of 2017 as a Sherrill Milnes Studio Artist in Savannah, GA, where he studied with the famous tenor, Antonio Barasorda.
As a soloist, Mr. Walker-VanKuren’s performances have included singing the tenor solo in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Livingston Symphony Orchestra), Haydn’s Paukenmesse, and Carter’s Cantata, among others. As a recitalist, he prides himself on his interpretation of art song and the stories they portray. Additionally, Mr. Walker-VanKuren loves African American Spirituals and is a strong proponent of their inclusion in classical recitals.
A native of Rome, Pennsylvania, Mr. Walker-VanKuren holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University. While at MSU, Mr. Walker-VanKuren received the 2016-17 Mackey Scholar of Vocal Music Endowment, which is awarded to one exceptional vocal graduate student each school year. He has studied with Dr. Joseph Baunoch, bass (IUP), and is a current student of Richard Fracker, tenor (MSU).
“A Night at the Light Opera”
Mr. Walker-VanKuren appears with Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra on two dates:
- Saturday, March 10 at 7:00 pm at Camarillo United Methodist Church, at 291 Anacapa Drive, Camarillo.
- Sunday, March 11, 2017, 3:00 pm, at First United Methodist Church of Ventura, 1338 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura.