Jake Surzyn, baritone, is a Michigan native known for his rich tone and mature artistry in both dramatic and comedic roles.

Born and raised near Detroit, Jake has performed with many of Michigan’s opera companies including Detroit Opera and Opera MODO. With Detroit Opera he performed in Yuval Sharon’s production of Ragnar Kjartansson’s Bliss as Antonio and Rodríguez’s Frida as Mr. Rockefeller, and throughout Michigan he has sung the roles of Marquis de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites, Doctor Gregg in Gallantry, Dandini in La Cenerentola, Crespel in Les contes d’Hoffmann, King Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, and covered Guglielmo in a virtual Così fan tutte.

In the ‘21-‘22 season Jake was a studio artist with Madison Opera where he covered Jupiter in Orpheus in the Underworld and Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor. While in Wisconsin Jake also performed with the touring company Opera for the Young singing as Pandolfe in their production of Cendrillon.

While obtaining his master’s degree at the University of Michigan Jake sang the roles of Schaunard (La bohème), Melisso (Alcina), and Cacambo (Candide).  He returned as a guest artist in 2020 to sing the role of Mr. Johannes ‘Pa’ Zegner in Mazzoli’s Proving Up.

Jake has been an apprentice and emerging artist with Charlottesville Opera, having performed as Herr Zegler in The Sound of Music, Sir Lionel in Camelot, and covered Danilo in The Merry Widow, Franz in The Sound of Music, Marcello in La bohème, Lancelot in Camelot, and Escamillo in La tragédie de Carmen.

An avid performer of oratorio, Jake has been a soloist in works ranging from the Baroque to the Contemporary. These engagements include J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion, Haydn’s The Creation, Vaughan Williams’ Dona nobis pacem, and Lang’s the little match girl passion.

This coming season Jake will be an emerging artist with Opera Idaho where he will cover the roles of Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Macbeth (Macbeth), Jim Crowley (An American Dream), and Vodník (Rusalka) while performing as Fiorello, Medico, and Lovec.