Michelle Minke

About

Michelle Minke is an accomplished soprano, voice pedagogue, and arts leader who teaches at Mount Royal University Conservatory where she maintains a studio of 30 students. She is a Royal Academy of Music-trained opera singer who holds a master's degree in performance and vocal pedagogy from the University of Toronto. Michelle has studied with some of the world's greatest pedagogues and mentors, including renowned soprano Mirella Freni, Sir Colin Davis, Elly Ameling, Nico Castel, and Edith Wiens, bringing world-class training to her Calgary students. As a performer, she has been hailed as a "tour-de-force" for her powerful vocal presence and artistic interpretation. In 2011, Michelle founded Cowtown Opera Company with the vision of providing accessible, high-quality opera experiences to Calgary audiences while supporting emerging artists who choose to base their careers in Calgary. Her leadership in the arts community was recognized in 2013 when she received the prestigious Enbridge Emerging Artist Award, honoring Calgary-based artists who contribute significantly to a thriving, vibrant arts community. Through her work at Mount Royal Conservatory and Cowtown Opera, Michelle inspires her students and leads them along a lifelong journey of musical appreciation, emphasizing healthy vocal technique, artistic expression, and professional development.

Education & Qualifications

Master of Music in Performance and Vocal Pedagogy, University of Toronto; Royal Academy of Music training

Teaching Styles