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Dashon Burton is a renowned classical music artist known for his powerful bass-baritone voice and captivating performances. Born on December 24, 1978, in Newburgh, New York, Burton grew up in a musical family and was exposed to music at a young age. His mother was a gospel singer, and his father played the guitar and sang in a local R&B band. Burton's love for music was evident from a young age, and he began singing in church choirs and school musicals. Burton attended Oberlin College and Conservatory, where he studied voice and music education. During his time at Oberlin, Burton was a member of the Oberlin College Choir and the Oberlin Musical Union. He also performed in several operas, including "The Marriage of Figaro" and "The Magic Flute." After graduating from Oberlin in 2001, Burton went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music. Burton's career as a professional classical music artist began in 2006 when he joined the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He quickly became a standout member of the chorus, and his talent was recognized by the conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, James Levine. In 2007, Levine invited Burton to perform as a soloist with the orchestra in a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The performance was a huge success, and Burton's career as a soloist took off. Since then, Burton has performed with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also performed in some of the world's most renowned concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. One of Burton's most notable performances was his portrayal of the title role in Handel's "Messiah" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2017. The performance was hailed as a triumph, with critics praising Burton's "rich, resonant voice" and "powerful, emotional performance." The performance was also recorded and released on CD, further cementing Burton's reputation as one of the world's leading classical music artists. In addition to his work as a soloist, Burton is also a member of the vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. The ensemble, which was founded in 2009, is known for its innovative approach to vocal music, incorporating techniques from a wide range of musical traditions. Roomful of Teeth has won several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance in 2014. Burton's talent and hard work have been recognized with several awards and honors throughout his career. In 2014, he was awarded the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, which is given to emerging classical music artists of color who demonstrate artistic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. In 2018, he was awarded the Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research Fellowship, which is given to artists who are committed to exploring new ways of creating and presenting music. Despite his success, Burton remains committed to using his talent to make a positive impact on the world. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and has used his platform to raise awareness about issues such as police brutality and racial inequality. He has also worked with organizations such as the Sphinx Organization and the Harlem School of the Arts to promote diversity and inclusion in classical music.

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