Michelle Murray Fiertek

Education

DMA, The Hartt School, University of Hartford

MM, California State University At Long Beach

BM, Arizona State University

Soprano Michelle Murray Fiertek is an active performer and teacher of wide-ranging styles from traditional classical repertoire to contemporary musical theater and pop/rock. Fiertek has received the University of Hartford Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award for her work in the Hartt School’s Vocal Studies Division; is trained and certified by NYC “rock musical guru” Sheri Sanders (Rock the Audition) as a teacher of the RTA curriculum; and was nominated in the “Best Featured Actress in a Musical Production” category by Broadway World Connecticut for her performance as Miss Pinkerton/June Jinkins in Hartford Opera Theater’s double bill of “The Old Maid and the Thief” (Menotti) and “An Embarrassing Position” (Shore). Michelle’s career began in musical theater, performing leading roles for Disney World, cruise ships, and over-seas productions. Her current research and performing focuses on Spanish and Latin American art song, contemporary American art song, and on helping singers understand the timbre, resonance, and stylistic differences between vocal genres to aid them in reaching their fullest potential.

She has been a faculty and guest recital artist at venues across the country and in Spain. Michelle made her Carnegie Hall debut with a solo performance of William Bolcom’s Cabaret Songs de-scribed as “First rate – engaging and authentic” in New York Concert Review.  She has studied under such famed musicians as the late pianist Miguel Zanetti and mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza as part of the celebrated Interpretation of Spanish Song program, as well as returned to the program in subsequent years as a guest artist.  She continues to return to Spain to study with Jorge Robaina, pianist and vocal coach at the Escuela Superior de Canto in Madrid, and Patricia Caicedo, soprano and Latin American art song scholar, in Barcelona. 

As a recording artist, Fiertek recently released an album of contemporary American art song through Albany Records titled Every Tiny Thing. She has two previous albums on the Summit Records label under the name Michelle Murray: Blue: The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein, described as “exemplary” by BBC Music Magazine and named “CD of the week” by the Arizona Republic and KBAQ-FM, and The Juliet Letters. She has been a featured soloist in many large-scale choral works, including Fauré’s Requiem, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Mass in C Minor, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach's B Minor Mass and BWV 80, and Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum and Messiah with local organizations such as Waterbury Symphony, New Haven Chorale, Con Brio Choral Society, Old St. Andrew’s Church, Center Church, and First Church of Christ Wethersfield, as well as Cypress Masterworks Chorale (CA), Pinnacle Presbyterian Church (AZ), and The Village Church (MA).

In addition to her work as an Artist Teacher, Dr. Fiertek is Director of Music Programs for Hartt Community Division. She serves on the board of Hartford Opera Theater after a 5-year tenure as Executive Director and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association