Shannon McGinnis

Coach

Pianist Shannon McGinnis has been recognized for skilled performances and solid support in partnerships with some of the brightest stars in the classical vocal music world, including tenor David Portillo, soprano Kiera Duffy, bass-baritone Douglas Williams, soprano Sarah Shafer, soprano Laquita Mitchell, and tenor Nicholas Phan. McGinnis’s partnering of singers has been lauded as “excellent” (Opera News), “strong and supportive” (Chicago Tribune),“boldly projected, characterful and delicately nuanced” (Chicago Classical Review). 

Recent highlights include recitals as part of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “Lyric Unlimited” series; frequent appearances at Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago’s popular Lieder Lounge series and annual Collaborative Works Festival; and multiple live broadcasts on WFMT’s “Impromptu” series. McGinnis’s 2017-18 schedule includes recitals with bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen and soprano Melody Moore, as well as performances with tenor Nicholas Phan at the Laguna Beach Music Festival.

Dr. McGinnis serves as Lecturer in Vocal Coaching at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where, in addition to vocal coaching duties, she leads undergraduate and graduate-level diction courses (Italian, French, German, and English) and serves as music director for undergraduate opera. In summer 2012 McGinnis joined the faculty of Up North Vocal Institute, where she serves as French vocal coach.

A passionate advocate for art song and the education of young singers, McGinnis is a founder of Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago (CAIC), where she oversees a series of master classes and workshops for singers and pianists, as well as the organization’s Vocal Chamber Music Fellowship. Also at home in the world of opera, McGinnis has held internships and appointments with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, DePaul University Opera Theater, Decorah Opera, DuPage Opera, and Kentucky Opera. In summer 2013, McGinnis joined the coaching staff of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, for the Center’s workshop performances of Il barbiere di Siviglia and in 2015 served as vocal coach and ensemble pianist for the world-premiere performances of Matthew AuCoin’s Second Nature, presented by Lyric Opera of Chicago and “Lyric Unlimited”. 

Prior to moving to Chicago in 2006, McGinnis held the position of Assistant Professor of Piano and Coordinator of Accompanying at Truman State University. She was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts in Accompanying and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan, as a student of renowned pianist Martin Katz; she was recently named a recipient of the Emerging Artist Award, which recognizes recent alumni of University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance, who have made significant contributions to their artistic field.