Derrick Ballard
The Denver Colorado native was born in 1974, and from 1992 to 1996 the singer attended the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver under the direction of Dr. Ronald Worstell. He was part of the opera studio at the Sante Fe Opera and the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco. During this time, he also began studying under Mark Oswald in New York.
After his European debut, he was invited to the Berlin State Opera to sing in the premiere production of the opera Chief Joseph by Hans Zender as Toolhoolsuite and fifth Indian. Positions at the Staatstheater Kassel (2005 to 2009), the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater (2009 to 2011) and at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz (2010 to 2012) followed. Highlights of the 2011 to 2014 seasons include roles such as Heinrich der Vogler in Lohengrin at the Opera Graz, Daland in Der fliegende Holländer with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, Sarastro in The Magic Flute at the Theater Bremen, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte and Jochanaan in Salome at the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater. On the concert stage, he made a great impression with his debut at the Handel Festival in Halle in 2011 as the bass soloist in An Occasional Oratorio with The English Concert conducted by Howard Arman. He has been an ensemble member at the Staatstheater Mainz since the 2014/2015 season.
After his European debut, he was invited to the Berlin State Opera to sing in the premiere production of the opera Chief Joseph by Hans Zender as Toolhoolsuite and fifth Indian. Positions at the Staatstheater Kassel (2005 to 2009), the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater (2009 to 2011) and at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz (2010 to 2012) followed. Highlights of the 2011 to 2014 seasons include roles such as Heinrich der Vogler in Lohengrin at the Opera Graz, Daland in Der fliegende Holländer with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, Sarastro in The Magic Flute at the Theater Bremen, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte and Jochanaan in Salome at the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater. On the concert stage, he made a great impression with his debut at the Handel Festival in Halle in 2011 as the bass soloist in An Occasional Oratorio with The English Concert conducted by Howard Arman. He has been an ensemble member at the Staatstheater Mainz since the 2014/2015 season.
Music that opens up the heavens