Maureen Balke (Soprano)

Born: USA

The American soprano and voice teacher, Maureen Balke, has earned her degrees in German (Marquette University, 1974) and in voice (Masters and Doctorate, Indiana University), with major teachers including Martha Lipton and Carol Smith (Zurich Opera).

Maureen Balke holds performance credits in recital, opera and oratorio throughout the Midwest and in national and international forums. Opera and oratorio credits include Artist in Residence at the Skylight Theatre (Milwaukee), Mozart Opera Studies Institute (Kaprun, Austria), and numerous performances in Indiana and Michigan. She has recently performed as soprano soloist in Gustav Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria, Orff's Carmina Burana, as well as a Cole Porter Review for Albion College Homecoming.

A specialist in art song, Maureen Balke has performed in the Aston Magna Academy on Schubert (NEH Fellowship), the International Festival of Art Song, the Princeton/Westminster Choir College Schubert Lied and Keyboard Festival, and other Lieder festivals, and has earned high marks in master-classes with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Gerhard Hüsch, Dalton Baldwin and Martin Katz. She has recently recorded, with pianist Narciso Solero, a CD of art songs by Joseph Marx and Albion Emeritus composer Anthony Taffs, titled "Never Seek to Tell Thy Love," and has recently performed art song recitals with Mr. Solero in the Washington, D.C. area including at Dumbarton United Methodist Church and at the Lyceum in Alexandria.

Maureen Balke is former Chair of the Music Department at Albion College where she is currently the Professor of Voice. She served as Governor of the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) from 1994 through 2000, and served as the NATS Great Lakes Regional Governor from 2002-2006

Source: Albion College Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (January 2011)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Fiora Contino

Soprano

BWV 78, BWV 124

Links to other Sites

Dr. Maureen Balke - Professor Voice (Albion College)

Maureen Balke on Facebook