Micheal Burgess

Vocal Instructor

Dr. Michael Burgess is joining the
School of Performing Arts this year
after five years on the voice faculty of University of Texas - San Antonio. 
He is a Chicago native and is ecstatic
to be "coming home" and still work at
what he loves - music and theater arts.

Dr. Burgess is an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Texas - San Antonio. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance at University of Michigan. He studied voice under world-class singers Lorna Haywood and George Shirley. He also studied under renowned pianist and vocal coach Martin Katz. He received his Master of Music degree from Western Michigan University and Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Music from Calvin College.

Dr. Burgess has sung lyric and di grazia roles such as Tonio (La Fille du Régiment), Alfredo (La Traviata), Tamino (The Magic Flute), and the title role in Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring. He also played Frankie in the hit musical Forever Plaid. His cross-over success has continued with such roles as Frederick in Pirates of Penzance, and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar A perennial favorite of Dr. Burgess is to sing the “Lament of the Roasted Swan” from Carmina Burana, Orff’s daunting tenor solo, with which he made his San Antonio Symphony debut in the 2005-6 season.

He has sung several modern operas and premiers such as Philip Glass' The Fall of the House of Usher, Stephen Paulus' The Three Hermits, Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, and the title role in David Finko's Abraham and Hannah.  Several other noted concerts and world premiers, including Nativity Portraits, Paul Siskind’s Thr(e.e. cummingS)ongs, David Heuser’s Oh, You White Towns, the premier performance being honored on the list of “Best in Classical Music 2004” by the San Antonio Express News.

In San Antonio, Dr. Burgess has performed at the Vexler Theater, the San Pedro Playhouse, and made his debut in the 2003-4 season with the San Antonio Lyric Opera in their production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale.  He followed that production by singing the role of Remendado in Carmen; he then sang the role of Goro in their 2004-5 season opening Madama Butterfly.  He has sung Handel’s Messiah, both J.S. Bach Passions, Mass in G, Magnificat, B Minor Mass, and several other works with San Antonio Symphony, San Antonio Choral Society, San Antonio Meistersingers, The Austin Symphony and Choral Society, The Fredricksburg Chorale, the Jackson (MI) Symphony Orchestra, The Calvin College Oratorio Society, the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys, and the Michigan Bach Collegium.