Monica Griffin · soprano

Monica Griffin received the Doctorate of Musical Arts 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 completed at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Her primary teachers include Caroline Helton, Joyce Farwell, Martha Sheil, and Noelle Woods. Monica Griffin also teaches applied voice in the School of Music at Western Michigan University.

As a soprano soloist, Monica Griffin has been featured in Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Handel’s Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Magnificat, Rutter’s Requiem, and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music and as Leonora in a concert performance of the Act II finale of Fidelio. She has been the featured soloist for Poulenc’s Gloria, Tommasini’s Three Spanish Songs, 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. Additionally, she has served on the voice faculty of Grand Valley State University and was invited to participate as a finalist in the 2005 Berlin International Opera Auditions in Germany.

Among Ms. Griffin’s distinctions and awards are two fellowships from Rice University and the prestigious Golden Shears Award from Texas Wesleyan University.