Baker Artist Portfolios

“Exciting is an apt description of this talented vocalist. Michael Manganiello… shook the floor with their powerful low notes.” Praised for their enviable resonance, crystalline diction, and stylistic prowess, vocalist Michael Manganiello focuses their solo and ensemble work on breaking down and analysing established preconceptions of identity and artistic expression. “They may be placed in the baritone bin, but they’re far more. That’s the issue with fachs–Michael defies them.” (OperaWire, 2023)

Michael's performance and pedagogical interests include cross training in bel canto and contemporary commercial techniques, navigating aural and aesthetic expectations in opera and musical theatre, Somatic Voicework™, historically informed performance, voice science (Voce Vista), improvisation and ornamentation in baroque and contemporary styles, choral and vocal ensemble singing, chamber music, and so-called “extended techniques.” As someone who has cross-trained in classical and contemporary commercial styles, they are a part of the generation of voice teachers who welcome students wishing to pursue an array of possible career paths, from The Met to Broadway to the recital stage to the recording studio, and many others. They perform regularly with their friend and collaborator, pianist Stephanie Baird, showcasing the duo's innovative and thought-provoking recital programmes surrounding themes that examine the core of human experience.

Michael is also passionate about working with transgender singers, and programming beyond the gender binary in classical and contemporary vocal literature. As an active professional singer and educator who is transgender, they have first-hand experience with issues facing LGBTQ+ artists in the classical music world, and the immense amount of opportunity to educate, empower, be visible, and promote visibility and inclusion in the field.

Michael is currently a part of the music faculty at Harford Community College where they teach studio voice lessons. Michael is also on the faculty at the Peabody Institute in Vocal and Professional Studies, and is a doctoral candidate at the same, where they study with Bill Sharp, Beth Willer, and Patrick O’Donnell. They work as a Senior Peer Career Coach at the Peabody LAUNCHPad Office, as well as Operations Manager for Opera Baltimore. Michael graduated from Peabody in 2021 with a master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, and from SUNY Fredonia in 2012, where they earned concurrent bachelor's degrees cum laude in Vocal Performance and Dance, with a minor in Visual Art/New Media.

Michael has performed with Washington Bach Consort, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, QED Vocal Ensemble, CERBERUS Chamber Ensemble, Peabody Renaissance Ensemble, NEXT Ensemble, Ignota Medieval Music Ensemble, Buffalo Chamber Players, Western New York Chamber Orchestra, Women of Vivaldi, and the Vocális Chamber Choir. Michael is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the Somatic Voicework™ Teachers Association, and has been a performer and participant in Chorworks at Duke University, the Yale School of Music Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Baroque Opera Workshop through the Institute for 17th Century Music at Queens College, the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute at the University of Toronto, the ARTEK Madrigal Madness workshop, and the Transgender Voices workshop series through Opera Programs Berlin.