Known for his “exacting and animating performances”, Chicago-based Tenor Justin Berkowitz’ 2023-24 includes performances with Chicago Opera Theater as the Chief of Police in Francesca Zamebello’s new production of Shostakovich’s The Nose.

He was slated to perform Thespis and Mercure in their scheduled performances of Platee, and he returned to Haymarket Opera Company for Francesca Caccini’s Alcina. 

Additional performances this season include Carmina Burana with Macomb Symphony Orchestra, and recital appearances throughout Chicago.

His 2022-23 season featured performances of L’incornazione di Poppea with Haymarket Opera Company as Arnalta and Nutrice in “his most winning turn with the company yet” and turns as Mayor Upfold in Albert Herring and as Steve Todd/Arnold Murray in the world-premiere of The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing, both with Chicago Opera Theater. 

On the concert stage, the Season brought performances of Handel’s Messiah with Niles Philharmonic, and his debut with Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Nielson Chorale for their Carmina Burana.

In 2021 Berkowitz returned to Chicago Opera Theater’s mainstage for their premiere of Mark Adamo’s Becoming Santa Claus. During their 2020-21 virtual season, Berkowitz appeared in Chicago Opera Theater’s productions of Taking up Serpents and premiered the role of Gil in Matthew Recio’s The Puppy Episode.

The 2019-2020 season brought debut performances of Carmina Burana with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Valley Symphony in Texas, among others. 

Recent seasons have seen Berkowitz on the operatic stage in productions with Central City Opera, Haymarket Opera, Opera Naples, Opera on the James, DuPage Opera Theater and St. Petersburg Opera, among others.

Berkowitz has appeared onstage as tenor soloist in Carmina Burana with Chicago Philharmonic, Apollo Chorus of Chicago, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Medical Symphony, Northwestern Indiana Symphony, Osh Kosh Symphony, and, in 2018 made his international debut in the work at Tyroll Hall in Graz, Austria. 

Berkowitz received his Bachelor of Music degree from Lawrence University, and a Master of Music in voice from the University of Michigan.

In addition to his soloist career, he serves as Executive Director for William Ferris Chorale, Chicago’s premiere virtuosic ensemble for new choral work.