Dr. Melanie Walker
A prolific soloist, established choral singer, and versatile concert artist, soprano Dr. Melanie Walker strives to perform a wide variety of vocal repertoire, ranging from classical, to opera, sacred, secular, musical theater, jazz, and contemporary music. Most recent performances include Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music with Evolve Theatrics, Haydn's Missa in tempore belli, Rutter's Gloria at The People's Church under the direction of Michael Huey-Jones, featured Faculty Soloist in Duruflé's Requiem with the Alma College Orchestra and Choirs under the direction of Christopher Cock, Mozart's Requiem under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Reed, and the Street Singer chorus for Bernstein's MASS conducted by Austin Williams and directed by Rachael Bergan and at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, MI. Other recent performances include the soprano soloist in Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Reed, high soprano soloist in Handel's Dixit Dominus with the Michigan State University Chorale and The1865 Players Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Dr. David Rayl, the chorus of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Hannah Lash's In Hopes of Finding the Sun with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jader Bignamini, and the soprano soloist in Ralph Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music. Recent operatic roles include Arminda (La Finta Giardiniera), Miss Wordsworth (cover; Albert Herring), Infermiera (Suor Angelica), Girl 2/Actor 2 (ANON), and Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors).
A seasoned concert performer, Ms. Walker has performed as the soprano soloist in various large scale choral and chamber works, including Mozart's Regina Coeli, Vivaldi's Gloria, Haydn's Kleine Orglemesse, Mozart's Laudate Dominum, Faure and Mozart Requiem, Bach's Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt, and many more. She has performed in numerous collegiate and local choral ensembles across Michigan, including The Collegium Musicum Early Music Ensemble, Western Michigan University Chorale, The Celebris Ensemble, The Lange Ensemble, the Michigan State University Chorale, Chamber and Practicum ensembles, and the Mosaic: Women's Ensemble. Dr. Walker currently sings with Riverbend Voices, and is a roster member of Mirabai under the direction of Dr. Sandra Snow, and Chorosynthesis under the leadership of Dr. Jeremiah Selvey and Dr. Wendy Moy. She is additionally featured on recordings Ex Corde: Songs from the Heart and Contemplating Weather under the Bridge Records label with the Western Michigan University Chorale under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams. She additionally serves as the soprano soloist and section leader at The Peoples Church of East Lansing, MI.
In addition to operatic and choral repertoire, Dr. Walker remains deeply passionate about the discovery and performance of new, contemporary works. She most recently premiered Christopher A. Kaminski's commissioned work Rekindle in 2021, Philip Lasser's Les Roses de Saadi at The Peabody Conservatory as a part of the 2019 Sylvia Adalman Chamber Series, and I wanna fly by Duncan Peterson-Jones at Michigan State University in 2016. She was selected in the same year to be a participant in the North American premiere of Elegy at Western Michigan University, a voice/art installation conceived and composed by South African artist Gabrielle Goliath to bring attention to the violent, sexual atrocities occurring against young women in Africa. Melanie continues to work with emerging and professional composers to premiere, perform, and promote new works for the voice.
Dr. Walker holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance from Michigan State University, a Master of Music in Voice Performance from The Peabody Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University. She currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Voice at Alma College, teaches voice at various local high schools, and maintains an open and active private voice studio based in East Lansing, MI.