MY BACKGROUND
Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Michael Shannon has embarked on a diverse and fulfilling career as a pianist, vocal coach, and conductor. With a deep love for opera and an insatiable curiosity for new musical experiences, Shannon has been fortunate to contribute his talents to various projects and organizations.
Since 2013, Shannon has been a dedicated member of the Canadian Opera Company's music staff. As a repetiteur, vocal coach, and continuo player, he has actively participated in over twenty productions, including the role of Head Coach for the world premiere of Rufus Wainwright's opera "Hadrian," starring Thomas Hampson and KariKarita Mattila.
In addition to his work with established repertoire, Shannon has developed a passion for new and living opera. Collaborating with Tapestry Opera in Toronto has been an enriching journey for him. Notable highlights include"Bandits in the Valley," (Roark/Tepperman) "Forbidden," (Mansouri/St-Bernard) a unique blending of traditional opera, Persian classical music, spoken word, and hip hop. Most recently, he played and music directed "Tap:Ex Augmented Opera," (Roark/Wong) a groundbreaking exploration of virtual reality technology and storytelling.
Shannon's desire to nurture emerging talent has led him to serve as vocal coach for various esteemed institutions such as Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Highlands Opera Studio, the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance, and Prague Summer Nights. He has also had the privilege of sharing his knowledge and passion for opera with students at McGill University, Western University, University of British Columbia, the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio, Calgary Opera's McPhee Artist Development Program, the Atelier lyrique de l'opera de Montreal, and the Orford Music Academy. These collaborations have provided him with the opportunity to inspire and guiding aspiring musicians, a fulfilling aspect of his musical journey.
Early in his career, Shannon had the privilege of joining the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio and the San Francisco Opera's Merola Opera Program. These experiences played a crucial role in shaping his artistic perspective, refining his musical abilities, and broadening his horizons.
Shannon is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano at Arizona State University, receiving instruction in piano with Dr. Andrew Campbell and Dr. Miki Aoki, voice with Dr. Stephanie Weiss, and conducting with Prof. Brian DeMaris. Alongside his studies, he serves as an Artist-in-Residence at Mirabella ASU, an intergenerational retirement community, fostering a connection and sharing the joy of music with the community.