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biography

MICHAEL ROCCHIO is a life-long musician who has had the good fortune to have received world-class music training and education. He is an alumnus of Indiana University where he studied with the renowned teacher of singing, Margaret Harshaw while earning a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. His performance experiences span Opera, Oratorio, Early Music (Antiquity - Renaissance), Musical Theater and Television.

 

Michael recently retired from his position as bass section leader and soloist for the choirs and Schola of The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO to devote more time to teaching.

 

A member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing, Michael is a highly-respected voice teacher, vocal artistry coach and vocal arts workshop presenter. He was the first voice teacher to offer classical singing lessons online.

 

Often referred to as a Renaissance man, Michael approaches everything he does as art, even mowing the lawn. He is a gifted photographer, an accomplished bassist, and a gourmet chef. An invitation to dine at the Rocchio table is not passed up. 

 

Michael also has an extensive business background. Foremost are his 12-years as a Senior Organization Design Consultant & Project Manager specializing in Organization Culture Analysis, Redesign and Change, Communication Technologies, and Executive Development, working with leaders of Fortune 100 companies.

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Michael lives in Ballwin, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, with his wife, Angela Marie Rocchio, who is also a singer.

Photo by Stephen Gallagher

Photo by Jerry Dean

Michael Rocchio, Baritone    David Holwerda, Tenor    Natalie Limonick, Pianist

Education/Special Skills

  • Bachelor of Music/Voice Performance - Indiana University

  • Studied under the renowned Margaret Harshaw

  • Vocally versatile: Can sing any genre, style, or period authentically.

  • Exemplary language/diction skills: English, Italian, Latin, French, German & Russian.

  • Highly disciplined with a very strong work ethic.

  • Outstanding stage presence, performance and acting skills.

  • An accomplished rock/jazz bassist; studied with Bunny Brunel and Carol Kaye.

 

Professional Status

  • Teacher of Singing & Performance Artistry

  • Provides private individual and group voice lessons in studio and online nationally and internationally.

  • Delivers workshops on the fundamentals of singing, performance artistry, and others.

  • Member: The National Association of Teachers of Singing.

 

Performer

  • Soloist

  • Recitalist

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Associations

  • The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)

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Performances Experience Opera

  • La Bohème / Puccini - Schaunard

  • Tosca / Puccini - Scarpia / Il Sacristano

  • Gianni Schicchi / Puccini - Gianni Schicchi

  • Parsifal / Wagner - Klingsor

  • Don Giovanni / Verdi - Leporello

  • The Love for Three Oranges / Prokofiev - Pantalone

  • Les contes d’Hoffman / Offenbach - Dr. Miracle

  • The Mother of Us All / Thomas - Anthony Comstock

  • The Lion & Androcles / Eaton - King Anthos* 

*Originated role; sang debut with Cincinnati Symphony and PBS broadcast.

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Musical Theater

  • Fiddler on the Roof - Tevye

  • Camelot - King Pellinore

  • My Fair Lady - Alfred P. Doolittle

  • Hello Dolly - Horace Vandergelder

  • A Little Night Music - Mr. Lindquist, Liebeslieder

 

Oratorio, as Soloist

  • Ninth Symphony - Beethoven

  • Requiem - Brahms

  • Requiem - Fauré

  • Requiem - Verdi

  • Requiem Mass in D minor, K.626 - Mozart

  • Messiah - Handel

  • Elijah! - Mendelssohn

  • Vesperea Solennes de Confessore, K. 339 - Mozart

  • Missa Brevis in C major, K. 220, “Die Spatzenmesse” - Mozart

  • Mass in C major, K. 317, “Die Krönungsmesse” - Mozart

  • Carmina Burana - Orff

  • Oratorio de Noël - Saint-Saëns

 

Discography

  • Mozart: Requiem & Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, The William Hall Chorale & Orchestra, Recorded Live February 12, 1978

  • Eaton: The Lion & Androcles, The Cincinnati Symphony / Carmen DeLeone, Conductor, 1973

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​Television

  • Eaton: The Lion & Androcles PBS National Broadcast with The Cincinnati Symphony / Carmen DeLeone, Conductor, 1973

  • St. Louis On Stage: Sounds of the Season - Lessons and Carols

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