Soprano Melissa Montoya received her Master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has appeared on stage as the Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Larina in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, the Mistress of the Novices in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Praskovia in Lehar’s the Merry Widow, and Harriet in Musical Theater Southwest’s production of The Civil War. In concert, Ms. Montoya has sung solos in Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Bach’s Christ Lag in Todes Banden, and Mozart’s Requiem. As a recitalist, Ms. Montoya specializes in Spanish and French art song and styles of Mahler and Strauss. She has taught voice for over 10 years. She teaches in the Bel Canto style, focusing on proper breathing technique and consistency in tone production throughout the range. While Ms. Montoya’s approach will center around technique, ample time will be spent on song interpretation and diction.