Biography

Mezzo-soprano Megan Elizabeth Morris was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1981 into a profoundly musical family. Her roots are in Wales and Bavaria (to name only a few), with the Welsh side of her family very much involved in Welsh organizations such as the Druid Society and National Gymanfa Ganu Association. When she was young she sang in many choirs and play productions, played percussion in elementary orchestras during her schooling and more often than not, performed for family gatherings at home.

Ms. Morris has been studying voice since 1998 and performing professionally since 2004. Megan sings primarily mezzo-soprano classical repertory and Welsh traditional folk music, but has also performed, written and recorded in musical theater, jazz, popular and experimental genres. She performed extensively as a student and young vocal professional in Ohio until 2006, during which time she was featured in many stage, concert and ensemble productions and notably as the featured soloist in the 80th Anniversary North American Tour of the Pendyrus Male Choir, from Rhondda Valley, Wales, in 2004. She has sung as Amastre in Xerxes, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, and in many performances and benefits for Gymanfa Ganu gatherings and St. David’s Day celebrations in Niles, Youngstown, and other events in Ohio and Pennsylvania. She’s also been featured in various live and recorded segments on WCPN’s British & Irish program and in interviews with Roy Noble of BBC Radio Wales.

In 2005 and 2006, Megan competed and won the North American Festival of Wales’ David G. Morris Memorial Award in Orlando, Florida, and went on to place 2nd in the mezzo-soprano mainstage competition at the Welsh National Eisteddfod in Swansea. In 2009 and 2010, she won the same award in Pittsburgh and went on to place 2nd once more in the same competition at the Welsh National Eisteddfod in Blaenau Gwent. Currently, Megan lives in Austin, Texas and studies with Dr. John Van Cura of Baylor University (who also happens to be a bonafide Welsh cousin — serendipity!).

Alongside her musical exploration, Megan is heavily involved in community-driven learning and social change projects, which can be found at Ideaschema. These two parts of her life are strongly interrelated, and she is intensely motivated by the power of music to connect people and inspire emotional and intellectual expression.

Megan’s current musical project is Megan Makes Music, a community patronage and sharing experiment that allowed her to share her experiences real-time while traveling in Wales and singing in the 2010 Eisteddfod. Her plans for this medium are vast, and she enthusiastically encourages fond listeners and lovers of music and culture to connect with her at www.meganmakesmusic.com. The more the merrier!