Michael Kelley is a Baritone singer, actor, teacher, and Director hailing from Bartlett, Illinois. He graduated University of Wisconsin at Madison with a Bachelor’s in Vocal performance and Theatre, with a heavy emphasis on acting and directing. During this time, he studied under Professor Paul Rowe, Professor Jeanette Thompson, and Professor Thomas Kasdorf. 

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Having appeared in operas, musicals, and straight plays with notable roles including The Baker in Into the Woods, Puck in Benjamin Britten’s adaptation of A Midsummer night’s dream, a featured ensemble member in La boheme, and a Clown in The 39 Steps. As a classically trained singer, Michael performs in Italian, French, German, and English. However, his true passions lie within German Lieder and English language folk, and he enjoys singing works by Schumann, Bach, Niles, and Sondheim. Among his directing credits are Evil Dead: The Musical (Assistant Director) and Ghost Quartet (Director, Producer). 

 

Michael is a versatile teacher who has worked with Montessori preschool and also instructs adults. His teaching style focuses on developing natural vibrato, monologue work, sight reading vocal music, singing in different languages (German, Italian, Latin, and French), musical theatre/classical/folk music repertoire, character/scene work, vocal health/safety, Linklater technique, Memorization methods, and Audition Prep for undergraduate music schools/theatrical productions.

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