Jason Howard was born in 1960 and raised on Alma Street in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, attending Cyfarthfa High School. Before music, he worked as a fireman in his hometown, only leaving the fire service to pursue vocal studies full-time after training locally with Martin Hodson in Risca, then continuing at Trinity College of Music and the Royal College of Music in London.
His breakthrough came in 1992 when he became the only UK winner of the Pavarotti Voice Competition in Philadelphia. He had already made his opera debut in 1989 as Don Giovanni with Scottish Opera, and went on to sing at leading houses across Europe and the Americas, including his European debut at the Opéra Comique in Paris in 1991 and his Paris Opéra debut, as Figaro in Il Conte Almaviva, in 1994.
Now established as one of Britain's leading baritones, Howard has performed with companies including Welsh National Opera and makes his home in Canada with his wife and daughter, where he continues to perform internationally and give masterclasses at institutions such as the Minnesota Opera, Edmonton Opera and the University of Washington.
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The only UK winner of the 1992 Pavarotti Voice Competition in Philadelphia.
Jason Howard
Baritone, opera and concert singer
Born and raised on Alma Street in Merthyr Tydfil, educated at Cyfarthfa High School, and worked locally as a fireman before training as an opera singer.
Howard's repertoire spans grand opera, musical theatre and concert programmes of Welsh favourites, reflecting his roots as a Valleys chorister before he moved into the front rank of British baritones. His path from the Merthyr fire service to major opera houses in Paris, Vienna and beyond has made him a distinctive figure in Welsh operatic history.
Career Highlights
Won the UK's only place in the 1992 Pavarotti Voice Competition, Philadelphia
Debuted as Don Giovanni with Scottish Opera in 1989
Made his Paris Opéra debut in 1994 as Figaro (Il Conte Almaviva)
ℹ️ Born 1960 in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
Born and raised on Alma Street in Merthyr Tydfil, educated at Cyfarthfa High School, and worked locally as a fireman before training as an opera singer.