Baritone Jason Detwiler’s stage presence and voice have been described as “commanding, richly expressive and emotionally fervid”. He started singing when a high-school girlfriend pushed him into the choir. Sometimes fate needs a hand; his passion for performing born, he went on to study music at Sacramento State University and met his future wife, mezzo-soprano Michele Detwiler. Married for almost fourteen years, the couple saves the drama for onstage, having co-starred in close to two dozen productions playing troubled lovers, bitter enemies, antagonists, and close confidantes. Their daughter, Annah, has even appeared in a few shows with Mom and Dad! Jason’s family settled near the mountains in Boise, Idaho. Between concerts, skiing, camping and the kids’ 4H and chess club meetings, home life is very full and rewarding. Professionally, Jason has sung nearly forty leading roles for companies including the San Diego, Virginia, Sacramento, and Shreveport Operas. He was a Resident Artist at Opera San Jose and is Opera Idaho’s first Artist-in-Residence. A Southern California native, he’s looking forward to his time in Santa Barbara. “The ocean always has a strong pull for me – I grew up in saltwater and sand! When I’m near them again, I find every opportunity to get to the beach or go hiking; it connects me to a beauty and intensity that also imbues the art form I love.”

[Photo credit: Anne M. Peterson]