Melissa Ann Shallberg, MME

Fellow of the Institute for Healthy Singing

Melissa Ann Shallberg is originally from Mason City, Iowa, the town on which Meredith Wilson based River City for his Music Man. After brief study at Luther College, Melissa graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Music Education. She has continued her education in voice and conducting at St. John’s University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and Baker University. She is also a member of the Voice Care Network and has completed several summer studies with the Network in Minnesota.

Melissa has been heard as soloist in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and John Rutter’s Requiem. Her stage works include major roles in Brigadoon, The Mikado, and Die Zauberflöte. In a 2002 review, Paul Horsley of The Kansas City Star said, “Soprano Melissa Ann Shallberg sang O Holy Night with a thrilling crystal-clear voice that never cloyed.” She recently completed her Master’s Degree in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Kansas.

She was been a member of the William Baker Festival Singers from 1999-2011, and served as Associate Music Director of the ensemble from 2002-2011, and Executive Associate Music Director of the Choral Foundation from 2009-2011. She has appeared as a soloist frequently with the Festival Singers, in addition to performances with the Summer Singers of Atlanta and the Summer Singers of Kansas City. She was named a Fellow of the Institute for Healthy Singing in 2015

Since returning to Iowa in 2011, Ms. Shallberg has been a member and vocal coach of the Una Vocis Choral Ensemble. She is Founder & Music Director of a growing children’s ensemble, NordKor. She was elected to the Choral Foundation Board of Trustees and as Executive Secretary in 2019.