|
The American counter-tenor and private voice instructor, Michael Skarke, obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance (2014-2018) and his Master of Music degree in Voice Performance (August 2018-May 2020), both from Baylor University, where he studied with Dr. Robert Best. He has been recognized with awards from national competitions including James Toland Vocal Arts, the Young Texas Artists Competition, and the MTNA Finals.
Praised for his “exquisite, almost ethereal tone quality,” (Vocal Arts Chicago) and “sexy, strong countertenor,” (Stage and Cinema LA), Michael Skarke is quickly making a name for himself as one of America’s top young countertenors. His repertoire spans from the best of the Baroque - Cavalli, Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, and George Frideric Handel - to modern standards including Ticheli, Dove, and Benjamin Britten.
Recent engagements for Michael Skarke include a solo feature on the Houston Chamber Choir’s world premiere recording of Daniel Knaggs’ Two Streams with 10-time GRAMMY® award winning producer Blanton Alspaugh, and a concert tour and recording of the world premiere arrangement of an all-men’s Sergei Rachmaninov's All Night Vigil with the GRAMMY® nominated PaTRAM Male Chorus in Jerusalem, Israel. He also led the alto section of the Voces8 Scholars from 2020 to 2022, waas alto singer in Houston Chamber Choir (September 2020-December 2022) and debuted with Seraphic Fire (Director: Patrick Dupré Quigley) in 2024. In August 2024, he returns to Seoul, South Korea with the American Soloists Ensemble for a concert tour and recording to celebrate the 141st anniversary of Korean American relations.
Michael Skarke has had the privilege to work with Opera NEO (2019), American Baroque Opera, Bach Society Houston, Illinois Bach Academy, and Haymarket Opera. The 2022 season included several exciting debuts including a mainstage debut as Ottone in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea with Haymarket Opera and as Alceste in the North American premiere of Antonio Vivaldi's Ercole su’l Termodonte with Pacific Opera Project. He also made debuts with Ars Lyrica Houston, Harmonia Stellarum (Alto and Ensemble Coordinator since January 2023), and Mercury Chamber Orchestra in 2022. This summer (2024), he makes his debut with West Edge Opera in Oakland, California, repeating the role of Ottone in Poppea of which Chicago Classical Review called his performances “superb… somehow making this weak, lovelorn character credible and appealing.”
As a choral conductor, Michael Skzarke has beeb Director of Traditional Worship at League City United Methodist Church since January 2024); Assistant Choir Director at Texas City High School (since October 2024).
Michael Skzarke currently lives in Houston, Texas. When not performing, he might be catched Michael playing golf, weight lifting, or spending time with his beautiful wife Jenny and baby girl, Clarke. |
