Melanie Sonnenberg currently is Professor of Vocal Studies at the Moores School of Music University of Houston where she teaches courses in pedagogy, song literature, and applied voice. In her international performance career, she has appeared in leading mezzo soprano roles with the Teatro San Carlo, Hamburg Staatsoper, Salzburg Festspiel, Graz Oper, Tokyo Yoyogi Arena, New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, and the companies of Ontario, Edmonton, Dallas, Seattle, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Diego, Austin, New Orleans, among others.

Film and live television credits include Das Rheingold and Die Walküre for Austrian Radio and Television, Cavalleria Rusticana for “Live from Lincoln Center,” and The Merry Widow with Beverly Sills for “Great Performances” on PBS. Her commercial video and audio discography includes recordings on the labels of Albany, Reference, House of Opera, and the Lincoln Center Series.

She has been featured with the Opera Orchestra of New York, Little Orchestra Society of New York, Grazer Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, San Antonio Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra, Texas Music Festival, Newport Music Festival, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Festival of San Miguel de Allende, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Victoria Symphony, Brazos Symphony, and the Bach Society of St. Louis.

Ms Sonnenberg is the Director and Co-founder of Le Chiavi: The Institute of Bel Canto Studies, an intensive study program for advanced singers. She is a national adjudicator and clinician for Classical Singer, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions. She has led master classes and lecture demonstrations throughout Europe and the United States. She has previously served on the National Board of Governors for the American Guild of Musical Artists, and the faculties of Westminster College of the Arts and The Catholic University of America.