Choir Directors

Michael Kessler graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston's Moores School of Music in 2011. While there he performed in the choruses of the Moores Opera Center productions of The Saint of Bleecker Street, Orpheus in the Underworld, La Vie Parisienne, Florencia en el Amazonas, the Grapes of Wrath, and Il Viaggio a Reims. He also performed in the chorus of Mercury Baroque's production of Dido and Aeneas. His opera performances culminated in his role as Il Commendatore in Mozart's Don Giovanni. Later, he sang the role of Pilatus during Ars Lyrica's performance of Bach's St. John Passion under the direction of Matthew Dirst. Concurrent to his opera performances, he was an active member of the Moores School of Music Concert Chorale under the direction of Dr. Betsy Cook Weber. While there, he served first Bass Section Leader and later became Student Director. Michael performed on their concert at the TMEA convention in 2008. He was also a travelling member of the Concert Chorale when they competed in Wales, UK at the Llangollen Eisteddfodd in 2009 and Tours, France at the Florilège Vocal de Tours in 2011. After graduating from the University of Houston, Michael accepted the position of Assistant Choir Director at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, TX. While there, the choirs at Clear Brook have received consistent Superior ratings at the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading contest. In 2012, Clear Brook's Company B won the American Classic Madrigal and Chamber Choir Festival. The next year they performed as the Honor Choir. In 2015, they returned to the festival and won 3rd Runner-Up and in 2016, they earned a Performance of Distinction award. Outside of his teaching career, Michael remains active as a singer in the Houston community. He sang for two seasons in the Houston Bay Area Chorus under the direction of Keith Dixon. He joined the Houston Symphony Chorus for the 2014-15 season where he sang Handel's Messiah, Verdi's Requiem, and Orff's Carmina Burana. He also sang in the chorus for Andrea Bocelli in Concert which took place at the Toyota Center. For the 2015-16 season with the Houston Symphony Chorus, Michael sang Zelda in Concert, Handel's Messiah, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, Faure's Requiem, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. For the Houston Symphony’s performance of Bernstein’s Chichester Paslms, Michael appeared as the bass soloist. Michael also works as a freelance singer for various organizations throughout the Houston area often performing as a soloist or section leader. When Michael isn't singing or teaching, he enjoys reading, playing with his cats and dogs, and playing competitive billiards.