Christopher Mitchell
Christopher Mitchell
Christopher Mitchell, lyric bass, is associate professor of music at Murray State University in Kentucky where he teaches voice lessons and directs the Racer Men’s Chorus and EQ Blu A Cappella.
Recent solo engagements include Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Evansville Philharmonic and Mozart Requiem with the Paducah Symphony. Favorite opera roles performed include Nick Shadow in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress and Leporello in Don Giovanni. He also just completed a run of the musical 1776 with Playhouse in the Park (Murray, KY) where he played John Dickinson.
Honors include selection as a national semi-finalist in the NATS Artist Awards and Midwest Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. In 2015, he was selected to participate in the SongFest Professional Development Program at the Colburn School in Los Angeles where he studied with luminaries in the field including John Aler, Suzanne Mentzer, Graham Johnson and Margo Garrett.
As an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), he has served as District Governor for both South Dakota and Kentucky and as president of the Kentucky Chapter. He has given scholarly presentations at NATS National Conventions and the International Congress of Voice Teachers and is an alumnus of the prestigious NATS Intern Program.
In addition to his duties at Murray State, Dr. Mitchell has served as Director of Voice and Opera for the International Performing Arts Institute summer program in Kiefersfelden, Germany. He lives in Murray, Kentucky with his wife, Elaine, and his two children, Sam and Lucy.
Get To Know Our Artists
Where did you do your musical training?
BM Music Ed - Michigan State University; MM and DM Vocal Performance - Florida State University
When did you first start performing with the TFC?
This is my third season (not counting COVID projects!)
What is your all-time favorite choral work?
Rachmaninov Vespers (I'm a bass, so I like it when there are lots of low notes to sing)
Where do you live now? And where do you call “home”?
Murray, Kentucky is where I live and where I've called home for the past 15 years. I'm originally from Okemos, Michigan (near Lansing).
What is your favorite hobby outside of music?
I am officially addicted to pickleball! I play every chance I get and I'm starting to play in tournaments fairly regularly.
Who is your favorite singer?
Non-classical: Frank Sinatra
Classical: Gerald Finley
Who is your favorite actor?
Currently, Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso!)
Favorite movie or play?
Raising Arizona
What is your favorite meal?
Bulgogi (Korean) or Kofta (Lebanese kebabs)
Who is your favorite sports team?
Love college basketball - I follow Michigan State (alma mater) and Murray State (employer)
Do you have a favorite TFC or “singing with Rob” anecdote?
Our last October concert where we sang Brahms and then drank beer on stage while singing about beer was legendary - Oktoberfest done right!
