Dashon Burton, baritone
49th IVC 2012
1st Prize Oratorio
Dashon Burton – baritone – USA
De Toonkunst Oratorio Prize
€ 5.000 (best oratorio interpreter)
With the support of “Maatschappij tot Bevordering der Toonkunst”
Bass-baritone Dashon Burton is a native of Bronx, NY. Praised for his “enormous, thrilling voice seemingly capable … [of] raising the dead;” and “nobility and rich tone,” (New York Times) he is active in a wide range of repertoire and feels privileged to have worked with artists and ensembles all across the U.S. as well as in Cameroon, Canada, Italy and Germany. Prominent collaborations include Pierre Boulez, Masaaki Suzuki and Steven Smith. He began his studies at Case Western Reserve University and graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Upon graduation, he was invited to join Cantus, a professional men’s classical vocal ensemble. He appears on their albums, including the eponymous “Cantus,” which was singled out by National Public Radio as a top ten recording of 2007. After completing his tenure with Cantus in 2009, Dashon completed his Master of Music at Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music, having studied with Professor James Taylor.