Meet one of our Holiday Joy Soloist: Michael Butler, Tenor

Michael Butler is a young tenor gaining traction in the Washington D.C. opera scene and is currently finishing up his degree at the University of Maryland, studying with Kevin Short. After dedicating more than 10 years of his life to intensive study in competitive Classical Piano, he turned to pursue opera as a career. A few of his most recent achievements are First Place in the 2020 Classical Singer National Competition, First Place at the Sue Goetz Ross Memorial Competition for Voice, an Encouragement Award in the Capital District of the 2020 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Winner for the 2018 National Young Arts Foundation Vocal Competition, Second place winner at the 2018 AAMS International voice competition, First Place in the 2017 MTNA National Voice Competition, and First Place in the 2015 MSMTA Competition in Classical Voice. In March of 2020, Michael was hired to perform a lead role in Frances Pollock’s world premiere opera, Briscula the Magician. A few other previous roles Michael has performed have been Dancaire in Bizet’s Carmen with Washington Opera Society, Messenger in Verdi’s Aida with Washington Opera Society, Borsa in Verdi’s Rigoletto with Belcantanti Opera Company, Ivan Lykov in Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Czar’s Bride with Belcantanti Opera Company, and the title role in Rossini’s Le Comte Ory with Chicago Summer Music Festival last summer. Michael is currently a 2020 Apprentice Artist at Des Moines Metro Opera, participating in an online format due to COVID-19. Michael made his New York City Opera debut as one of four soloists singing Puccini and Verdi highlights in solo and ensemble fashion, accompanied by the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra at the Freeman Stage this past August.