Jon-Michael Ball

American Tenor Jon-Michael Ball has been described as having a “strong tenor voice” (Orlando Sentinel) that is “consistently solid” (Orlando Weekly). The New York Sun praised him as having a “lovely lyric instrument, solid technique, and a strong theatrical sense.” The final performance of Santa Fe Opera’s 2008 production of Billy Budd marked his company debut when Jon- Michael stepped in for an ailing colleague as Red Whiskers. Jon-Michael is also the recipient of Santa Fe Opera’s 2008 Richard Tucker Foundation Award. Future engagement includes his debut with Lyric Opera of Kansas City as Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore.

The 2007-2008 season brought a return to Orlando Opera as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni and Pang in Turandot. Other performances include Jon-Michael’s London, UK debut in the concert series at St. George’s Bloomsbury and a return to Santa Fe Opera for his second apprenticeship. Summer 2007 marked his South American debut in Lima, Peru with the Orquesta de Cámara “Ciudad de los Reyes” in Una Noche de Ópera. As a member of Glimmerglass Opera’s Young American Artist Program, Jon-Michael sang the role of the Reporter in Philip Glass’s Orpheé. The 2006-2007 season included his first Santa Fe Opera apprenticeship where he was seen as Andrés in Carmen, and his Orlando Opera debut as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance.

Other appearances have included performances with New York City Opera VOX : Showcasing American Composers, the title role in Candide with Orlando Opera Studio, the role of James Joyce with American Opera Projects in their new work Exiles, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and the title role in Albert Herring, both for Intermezzo Opera.

Jon-Michael is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music. A student of famed tenor, Neil Rosenshein, Mr. Ball performed multiple leading roles with Manhattan School of Music’s Opera Studio, most notably as Dr. Shpigelsky in the world premiere recording of Lee Hoiby's A Month in the Country (available on Albany Records). An ASCAP Foundation Scholar, he also was featured in MSM’s American Musical Theatre Ensemble.