ABOUT
Michael Parham, a young baritone hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee found his passion for music through his choral experiences with the Chattanooga Boys Choir and the Oakwood University Aeolians. It was not until he performed Schaunard in Puccini’s La Boheme, while participating in the Manhattan School of Music’s Manhattan Summer Voice Festival, that he discovered his passion for operatic repertoire. Thenceforth, he has vigorously studied Bel Canto music.
Last season, Michael’s “resonant and ear caressing” baritone voice was heard in role debuts as Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana with Voccalis Repertory Company, Count Ceprano in Rigoletto with Opera Las Vegas, and as Peter in Hansel und Gretel with Opera Las Vegas. As well, he made his debut in the eponymous role of Don Giovanni with UNLV Opera Theater. Over the summer, Michael made yet another role debut as Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus with the Martina Arroyo Prelude to Performance.
Mr. Parham jumps at the opportunity to perform choral music and has been a featured soloist in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, and Mozart’s Mass in C. In 2012, Michael was a soloist in Haydn’s Creation at the Moscow International House of Music for the US Ambassador to Russia.
He holds a Masters degree from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and completed his undergraduate work at Oakwood University. Michael’s past teachers include Dr. Julie Foster, Richard Heard, and Timothy Noble.