Melissa Holm-Johansen

Soprano Melissa Holm-Johansen is a native of Halden, Norway, and is a 1998 graduate of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, USA, where she graduated cum laude with a double major in vocal performance and music education. Dr. Holm-Johansen holds a D.M.A. in vocal pedagogy and performance from the University of Minnesota and was a two year recipient of a Torske Klubben scholarship.

Her most recent project was a first-of-its-kind all-English recording of songs composed by her countryman Edvard Grieg, in collaboration with pianist Steve Swanson, Norwegian scholar/translator William Halvorson, and the Edvard Grieg Society of Minnesota.  The recording is frequently featured on Classical MPR’s “Friday Favorites”. See direct links on the Edv. Grieg Society homepage to “Songs From the Heart” recording platforms.

Past performing groups include The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, The Minnesota Beethoven Festival Chorus, Bach Roots Festival (current), The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Chorale, The Dale Warland Singers, The Oratorio Society, The Norwegian Youth Choir, and The St. Olaf Choir.

Dr. Holm-Johansen is a longtime member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and was previously awarded the NATS Independent Teacher Award. She has a private voice studio at her home in St. Louis Park, is on the voice faculty at North Central University in Minneapolis and is the Vocal Performance Program Instructor at Shattuck – St. Mary’s Boarding School in Faribault.  She is a section leader at The House Of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul and studies with Tony-nominated singer/actor Melissa Hart and University of Minnesota professor Jean del Santo.