Michelle Pérez, Soprano

Michelle Pérez is a Mexican-American lyric soprano, music educator, and multifaceted artist driven by a desire to forge human connection through sophisticated emotional communication delivered with authentic expressive depth. Celebrated for her shimmering high notes, impeccably clear coloratura, and luxuriant legato lines, Michelle’s performances are marked by a relentless commitment to move audiences through refined execution and transformative storytelling. 

On the opera stage, Michelle’s work is prized for its elegant lyricism, technical mastery, and compelling characterization. She recently performed the roles of Alcina in Handel’s Alcina with Opera Seme, Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors with both Arizona Lyric Opera and Music on Site Festival, and La Musica in Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo with Arizona State University Opera. Michelle performed a number of other leading roles during her time at Arizona State University, including La Contessa in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Pauline Viardot in the Arizona premiere of Michael Ching’s new work Notes on Viardot, Anne Truelove in Stravinsky’s The Rake's Progress, Marie in Donizetti’s La fille du régiment, Enyo in Nkeiru Okoye’s We’ve Got Our Eye On You, and Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel. She will perform the role of La Contessa in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro for a second time this winter with Music on Site Festival during their upcoming 2025 season.

With a reputation for scintillating resonance and nuanced textual delivery, Michelle is a sought-after oratorio soloist and musical collaborator. She has performed as soloist on major works for orchestra and chorale, including Fauré’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Little Organ Mass and Lord Nelson Mass, Mozart’s Requiem, Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, both Poulenc and Vivaldi’s Glorias, Ariel Ramirez’s Misa Criolla, Mozart’s Requiem, Philip Glass’s Songs from Liquid Days, and Vaughn Williams’ Serenade to Music, among others. During her graduate studies, she was named winner of the 2023 Arizona State University Concerto Competition, performing Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 in concert with the Symphony Orchestra. As a freelancer, she has sung professionally with ensembles such as the Phoenix Chorale, Orpheus Chamber Singers, Tactus, the Fort Worth Chorale, The Choral Pickup, Dallas Choral Artists, St. Matthew’s Cathedral Artists, and Vox Humana. 

A consummate crossover vocalist, Michelle’s stylistic versatility is comprehensive, extending her musical engagement and reach to classical and nonclassical audiences alike. Michelle was appointed 2023-2025 Artist-in-Residence at Mirabella, a luxury retirement community, where she programmed and performed weekly recitals, conducted the chorus, and coordinated Broadway and themed opera cabaret shows alongside colleagues, in addition to other community engagement events. She has performed regularly as a duo partner with contemporary horn player Charity Morrison, tenor and guitarist Carlos Barraza Treviño, and collaborative pianist Michael Shannon. Michelle’s love for a diverse range of repertoire is evident in her community-oriented concerts, which feature musical theater, folk rock, pop, jazz, and traditional Latin genres. Michelle’s upbringing within the Mexican-American musical communities of the Rio Grande Valley was a significant contributor to her multigenre musical formation and auxiliary instrumental development. She participated in her first Mariachi Cobre Extravaganza at the age of 10, and was a member of one of the historic first 28 Texas All-Region Mariachi ensembles in high school. As an ensemble leader and an accomplished violinist, she became a frequent mariachi clinician in violin and voice across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including educational efforts such as the University of North Texas Mariachi Aguilitas Summer Camps. 

Michelle is a passionate educator in choral music and vocal pedagogy, fiercely dedicated to providing students with the freedom that comes with knowing their own voice, a robust musical foundation upon which to grow, and the boldness to surpass limiting expectations through their continued vocal development as performers. Michelle served for five years as Associate Director of Choral Activities in Texas at Mesquite High School, where her choirs consistently received Sweepstakes awards at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. Her students regularly earned placement in Texas All-Region and All-State choirs and Superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble contests, reflecting her commitment to cultivating vocal excellence and catalyzing student growth with a disciplined, warm, and insightful approach. She holds a Kodály Choral Track Certification (Levels I–III) and has directed choirs at both the high school, middle school, and senior adult levels. Michelle also served in leadership roles with the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) as Region III Vocal Chair and Chair-Elect, supporting music education initiatives across multiple districts. Michelle taught voice at the collegiate level for two years as Teaching Assistant at Arizona State University, where she taught group and individual lessons across a range of styles, including classical, musical theatre, pop, and jazz, successfully preparing students for auditions and contests. Michelle is a lifelong advocate for creating inclusive and engaging learning environments where all students can thrive as confident, skilled performers in their own generational and cultural contexts.

Michelle earned a Master of Music degree in Opera Performance from Arizona State University, where she is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts with Carole Fitzpatrick. She holds an additional Master’s in Music Education from Southern Methodist University. Prior to her graduate studies, Michelle attended the University of North Texas with Jeffrey Snider, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Choral Music Education and a minor in Spanish.

Michelle’s past and present affiliations include the National Opera Association, National Association of Teachers Singing, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Music Association, American Choral Directors Association, The Daejeon International Choral Festival, Mu Phi Epsilon, Maestra Music, The Sphinx Organization, and Musicians United for Social Equity (MUSE). Michelle also serves as a board member for the Arizona Women’s Collaborative, a new works initiative guided by principles of community, cooperation, and the amplification of marginalized voices.

Michelle is from Weslaco, near the South Texas border, and is currently based in the Tri-State Area of the American Northeast. Outside of her musical pursuits, Michelle is a well-traveled espresso connoisseur (with a particular penchant for a lavender breve cortado), and enjoys reading literature, beach boogie boarding, and spending time with friends over a home-baked pastry.