Jacob Pence
BIOGRAPHY
Jacob Pence has been hailed by Ken Herman of the San Diego Story for his “robust and colorful” singing and described by performing arts writer Tom Alvarez as “showing finesse...” in his blog On the Aisle.
​
Jacob's 2023 season began with an exciting start as March marked Jacob's performance of Simone in the Opera Orlando's "Opera on the Town" production of Gianni Schicchi at Bella Collina. Opera Orlando's "Opera on the Mainstage" production of The Daughter of the Regiment at Steinmetz Hall followed quickly in April, where Jacob reprised the role of the Corporal to critical acclaim as extolled by Matt Palm of the Orlando Sentinel:
​
"A special shoutout to Jacob Pence...who not only has a fine solo voice but puts some character into his role."
​
Jacob returned to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in May 2023, portraying the crusty gardener Ben Weatherstaff in the Central Florida Vocal Arts production of The Secret Garden in the Pugh Theater and then went on to perform the role of Jeff in Opera Tampa's OUTLOUD, an original production celebrating Pride with songs from "opera, Broadway and beyond" at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
Jacob's October 2023 engagements were both collaborations with Composer/General and Artistic Director of First Coast Opera, Curtis Tucker in St Augustine, Florida. Jacob played the role of Sam, a selfish and insincere businessman within Tucker's 2005 Opera exploring the issues and stigma surround homelessness. Jacob also performed as the character Top, in Copland's America, celebrating the Aaron Copland with selections from The Tenderland and Old American Songs, alongside performances of Copland's instrumental compositions for violin and piano.
​
Jacob was delighted to returning as a concert soloist for with Aaron Collins and The SpaceCoast Symphony Orchestra in their December performance of Handel's Messiah to bring 2023 to a close. orporal and Maestro Spinelloccio and Opera Tampa’s performance of Gianni Schicchi respectively.
​
Jacob's previous performances include the operatic roles of Boy Chapel and Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 2022 and 2021 Orlando premiers of No.5, Chanel and War Brides by Nathan Felix, Le Corporal in St. Petersburg Opera's La fille du Regiment in 2022, Sid in The Girl of the Golden West with Opera Orlando in February 2020, the role of Pish-Tush in The Mikado with Central Florida Vocal Arts in 2019, and the roles of Dax and The Client in Robert Patterson’s contemporary opera Three Way during the 2018 Orlando Fringe Festival.
Jacob has performed in productions with the St. Petersburg Opera Company, Opera Tampa, Kentucky Opera, and Indianapolis Opera, appearing as an Emerging Artist with The Crested Butte Music Festival, Music by the Lake at Aurora University, Columbus Opera, The Lexington Opera Society, OperaNeo, and the Martina Arroyo Foundation. Jacob has prepared and performed over 20 roles encompassing the familiar personae of the Operatic Repertoire alongside the colorful characters of Operetta and the Musical Theatre genres.
Jacob is a frequent concert soloist, familiar with many sacred compositions including: F.J. Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and “The Creation,” J.S. Bach’s Cantata No. 61 and Christmas Oratorio, W.A. Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and Coronation Mass, G.F. Händel’s Messiah, G. Rossini’s Petite Solemn Mass, and the Requiem Masses of Duruflé, Fauré, and Schumann. He is at home with modern compositions, frequently working alongside composers premiering new work or introducing enthusiastic audiences to the less performed musical selections of the past century.
​
A native of Crestwood, Kentucky, Jacob is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the University of Evansville, residing in Orlando, Florida. He performs regularly as a soloist and bass section leader at All-Saint’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida.
