|
|
 |
Passionate
about music since childhood, Michelle received professional training in voice, piano and dance. After achieving her University
degrees in English & Marketing, she studied opera at the Ulster College of Music and the New Zealand National Singing
School. She has also participated in several UK & Ireland Masterclasses in opera, musical theatre and dance.
An accomplished singer, she has graced the stages of many prestigious venues throughout the UK and Ireland including
Belfast’s Grand Opera House, Odyssey Arena and the NEC, Birmingham. A member of acclaimed quartet ‘The
Leading Ladies’, Michelle has performed at key events such as Belfast’s
‘Opera in the Gardens’, Derry Jazz Festival and Hillsborough Oyster Festival. In regular demand as a soloist,
she has guested with talents such as Peter Corry, West End star Jeff Leyton, Festival Brass, Arco
String Quartet and many established choirs. Michelle has performed
on TV/Radio, was a soloist in the opening concert for the re-furbished Grand Opera House and recorded
her first CD 'Unexpected Songs' in 2008. Michelle is currently starring in a series of advertisements
for Moy Park.
Michelle also performs as part of the 'Diviniti' music
ensemble as well as 'Classified' Undercover Singers.
|
|
| 'The Pirates of Penzance', Belfast Grand Opera House |
Michelle's rich, lyrical
voice and impressive three octave vocal range covers a broad style of music and has earned her many awards over the years
including the Edinburgh International Music Festival's prize for 'Oustanding Vocal Ability' and most notably,
the Association of Irish Musical Societies' Award for 'Best Female Singer in Ireland'. She has been nominated for this coveted award three times and is the only female in Northern Ireland to have
won it twice. She was also nominated for 'Best Duet' with Brian Gilligan at the International Gilbert &
Sullivan Festival in Buxton.
Well known in local musical theatre and an active member of Belfast’s New Lyric Operatic Company, she has played lead
roles with some of Northern Ireland’s best musical societies winning rave reviews from audiences and critics. She was
also one of ten finalists to reach the last stage of the UK wide auditions for a new Broadway show 'The Pirate Queen'
and had the opportunity to sing for acclaimed 'Les Miserables' creator Claude-Michel Schonberg.
Performances include: Mabel
(Pirates of Penzance); Anna (The Merry Widow); Laurey (Oklahoma); Sarah (Guys 'n' Dolls); Yum Yum (Hot Mikado); Reno
(Anything Goes); Idamante (Idomeneo); Orphan Tessa (Annie); Solo singer (Mary O'Hara Show); 'One Enchanted
Evening' and 'Les Miserables concert' (Belfast Odyssey Arena); Hillsborough Garden Party; 'Musical Memories'
(Ulster Hall); Live performance on BBC Sounds Classical.
“Michelle
Baird as The Merry Widow was both glamorous and magnetic in the part. Her beautiful lyric soprano voice was a joy to
listen to and her legato line in the show-stopping 'Vilia' was top class.”
- Jack Neavyn,
AIMS Adjudicator |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
