Kevin Deas previously appeared with the North Carolina Symphony in 2013, as a soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

Bass-baritone Kevin Deas has portrayed the title role in Porgy and Bess with the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra, among many others. His 2022/23 season includes Mozart’s Requiem with Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Haydn’s The Creation with Minnesota Orchestra, Bernstein’s SongFest with Seattle Symphony, Verdi’s Requiem with Bach Festival Society of Winter Park and Rhode Island Philharmonic, and Handel’s Messiah with the National Cathedral, Handel & Haydn Society, and ProMusica Columbus.

Deas was heard at Italy’s Spoleto Festival in a new production of Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors in honor of the composer's 85th birthday, recorded on video for international release. He also performed the world premieres of Derek Bermel’s The Good Life with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Hannibal Lokumbe’s Dear Mrs. Parks with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. His twenty-year collaboration with the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck has taken him to Salzburg, Vienna, and Moscow in performances of To Hope!