Biography

Lyric baritone Christopher Michel is Associate Professor of Voice at Sam Houston State University , where he leads one of the most successful vocal studios in the region. He also serves on the faculties of the Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti in Lucca, Italy, and the Houston Grand Opera High School Voice Studio . His students have been finalists in over 40 TEXOMA NATS competitions and accepted to top graduate programs including Cincinnati Conservatory , Rice , Manhattan School of Music , Northwestern , and Pepperdine. They have performed with Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Sarasota Opera, and Des Moines Metro Opera, among others.

Michel maintains an active performance career in opera, oratorio, and concert repertoire. Highlights include Mozart's Requiem with Mercury Baroque, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and roles such as Figaro , Danilo , and Count Almaviva . His Italian solo tour with the Cypress Creek Chorale concluded with an audience with Pope Francis.

He is the current Chair of the Dominick Argento Vocal Competition through the National Opera Association and has held multiple leadership roles within NATS. Michel holds degrees from The Ohio State University and Baylor University, with further training from many of the nation's most respected pedagogues.