Graduate Profile: Jason Duika
Jason Duika credits his experience at Alma College for inspiring him to be so ambitious. The 2006 graduate recently began his performer diploma at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.
“While at Alma, I sang in Dr. Will Nichols’ choir, and it gave me the confidence to go off and pursue loftier goals,” says Duika, who has been hooked on music since participating in a 2003 production of “Ruddigore.”
These goals took him to Portland State University, from which he graduated in 2010 with a Master of Music in opera performance.
Duika says he grew immensely as a performer and artist during his time at the university, thanks to the guidance of notable names like Sherill Milnes, Tito Capobianco and Richard Zeller, his teacher.
“I couldn’t have imagined that I would have such a supportive and advanced department helping me,” he says.
In early 2010, Capobianco directed Duika in Franz Lehar’s “The Merry Widow.”
Another recent, memorable performance was Duika’s first baritone solos in Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”—something he has wanted to do since the piece was done at Alma his senior year.
His passionate interest in the field has inspired him to look into several artist diploma programs, which are intended for outstanding performers who plan to pursue a career in performance. He says Alma gave him the opportunity to do so.
“If I hadn’t laid the foundation at Alma College, I would have been unable to pursue a career of this nature,” says Duika.
