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Monica Griffin (2002)
Voice

B.A.Texas Wesleyan
M.M. Rice
D.M.A. Michigan

She received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, the Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, and the Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Texas Wesleyan University, graduating magna cum laude. Additional study was done at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Her primary teachers include Caroline Helton, Joyce Farwell, Martha Sheil, and Noelle Woods; coaching sessions have been conducted with Thomas Jaber and Martin Katz.

As a soprano soloist, she has been featured in Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Handel's Messiah, J.S. Bach's Magnificat, Rutter's Requiem, Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music, and Mozart's Missa Brevis in C. She has been featured soloist for Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and David Gillingham's Lifesongs with WMU ensembles during her affiliation with the University. Her operatic experience includes the roles of the Mother in Hansel and Gretel, Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Madame Lidoine in Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, as well as performances of scenes from La Wally, The Old Maid and the Thief, Iolanthe, The Magic Flute, The Ballad of Baby Doe, The Mikado, Street Scene, and The Saint of Bleeker Street. Additionally, she has served as a professional singer for churches in Houston and Ft. Worth, Texas, and Detroit, Michigan. Most recently, she was invited to participate as a finalist in the 2005 Berlin International Opera Auditions in Germany, where she sang for 30 of the most prestigious opera houses in the world.

Among her distinctions and awards are two fellowships from Rice University and the prestigious Golden Shears Award from Texas Wesleyan University, where she was also named Music Major of the Year in 2000. Her professional affiliations include membership in the National Association of the Teachers of Singing, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and Sigma Alpha Iota international music fraternity for women.

Email: monica.griffin@wmich.edu