Soprano Michelle Murray Fiertek is an active performer and teacher of wide-ranging styles from traditional classical and operatic repertoire to contemporary musical theater and pop/rock. Fiertek has received the University of Hartford Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award (2018) for her work in the Hartt School’s Vocal Studies Division; is trained and certified by NYC “rock musical guru” Sheri Sanders (Rock the Audition) as a teacher of the RTA curriculum (2018); and was nominated in the “Best Featured Actress in a Musical Production” category by Broadway World Connecticut (2015) for her performance as Miss Pinkerton/June Jinkins in Hartford Opera Theater’s double bill of “The Old Maid and the Thief” (Menotti) and “An Embarrassing Position” (Shore). Michelle’s career began in musical theater, performing for Disney World, on cruise ships, and in Japan. Her current research and performing focuses on Spanish and Latin American art song, contemporary American art song, and on helping singers understand the timbre, resonance, and stylistic differences between vocal genres to aid them in reaching their fullest potential. She has been a faculty and guest recital artist at venues across the country and in Spain. Michelle made her Carnegie Hall debut with a solo performance of William Bolcom’s Cabaret Songs described as “First rate – engaging and authentic” in New York Concert Review. Michelle has studied under such famed musicians as the late pianist Miguel Zanetti and mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza as part of the celebrated Interpretation of Spanish Song program, as well as returned to the program in subsequent years as a guest artist. She continues to return to Spain to study with Jorge Robaina, pianist and vocal coach at the Escuela Superior de Canto in Madrid, and Patricia Caicedo, soprano and Latin American art song scholar, in Barcelona. As a recording artist Fiertek is poised to release a new album of contemporary American art song through Albany Records in spring 2020. She has previously released two albums on the Summit Records label: Blue: The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein, described as “exemplary” by BBC Music Magazine and named “CD of the week” by the Arizona Republic and KBAQ-FM, and The Juliet Letters. She has been a featured soloist in many large-scale choral works, including Fauré’s Requiem, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Mass in C Minor, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach's B Minor Mass and Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum and Messiah with organizations such as Waterbury Symphony, New Haven Chorale, Con Brio Choral Society, Cypress Masterworks Chorale (CA), Pinnacle Presbyterian Church (AZ), and The Village Church (MA). Professor Fiertek currently serves on the voice faculty of The Hartt School, University of Hartford; as the Director of Music Programs for Hartt Community Division; and as Executive Director of Hartford Opera Theater. Fiertek is also a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. For more information please visit www.michellemurrayfiertek.com