A Colorado native, soprano Marissa Howard has been heralded for her “silvery coloratura voice” and comedic interpretation. This past year she joined Mousaverse Opera in their productions of Cavalleria Rusticana and Ariadne auf Naxos, was a featured artist with Cecilia Opera in the crossover cabaret concert series, was a featured recording artist with GIA Productions, and most recently joined MIOpera’s production of The Pirates of Penzance. In previous seasons she’s worked with Utah Festival Opera, La Musica Lirica, Memphis Light Opera, Cedar Summerstock Theater, Varna International, Up North Vocal Institute, Miami Classical Music Festival, and Memphis Youth Symphony. In addition, she was a semifinalist in the NATSAA National Competition in 2022 as well as a finalist for the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition. She received her bachelor’s degree at Roosevelt University where she sang alongside the Chicago Sinfonietta and Chicago Symphony Chorus alike under the tutelage of Thomas Studebaker and Cynthia Clarey. Marissa went on to receive her master’s degree at the University of Memphis where she made her professional debut with Opera Memphis as Cousin in Madama Butterfly. Marissa currently resides in Chicago where she studies under Amy Owens.