A well-respected artistic administrator, collaborative pianist and vocal coach, Michael Heaston has established himself as one of opera’s most important leaders, visionaries, and mentors. He has recently returned to The Metropolitan Opera as Artistic Administrator, where he oversees all casting and artistic planning. Before this appointment he held dual posts: Professor of Opera/Director of Opera Studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and Music Director of the Houston Grand Opera Studio. Other previous appointments include: Executive Director of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at The Metropolitan Opera; Director of the Cafritz Young Artist Program, American Opera Initiative and Advisor to the Artistic Director of the Washington National Opera; Associate Artistic Director of the Glimmerglass Festival; and Head of Music Staff at The Dallas Opera.
A sought-after adjudicator, he has been a frequent judge for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and also served on the juries of the Marilyn Horne Song Competition at Music Academy of the West, Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, Jensen Vocal Competition, Young Patronesses of the Opera Competition, McCammon Vocal Competition, DC Vocal Arts Art Song Competition and many others. Mr. Heaston is also in demand as a clinician, having presented master classes at The Juilliard School, Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, University of Michigan, Florida Grand Opera, University of North Texas, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, to name a few.