Contralto Megan Esther Grey is quickly gaining attention for her “brilliant interpretation(s) and singing” (MD Theatre Guide). Grey has regularly performed with The Metropolitan Opera where she made her debut in 2019 as Kate Pinkerton in Anthony Minghella’s production of Madama Butterfly.

 

During the 2025-2026 season Grey returns for her 7th consecutive season with the Metropolitan Opera, making her role debut as Third Lady in the Holiday Production of The Magic Flute. She also makes her role and house debut with Amarillo Opera, Opera Memphis, and later joins the Oklahoma City Philharmonic as the alto soloist in Mahler’s 2nd Symphony. During the 2024-2025 Season Grey appeared as a Voice of the Unborn in Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten at the Metropolitan Opera under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. She returned to cover the role of The Page in the groundbreaking new production of Salome. Following these successes she made her Carnegie Hall Debut as the alto soloist in Schubert’s Mass in C and Vivaldi’s Magnificat. Previously in the season Grey sang the title role of John Beeson’s Lizzie Borden with Painted Sky Opera.

 

Previous seasons included debuts as alto soloist with The Phoenix Symphony in Mahler’s 2nd Symphony and the New York City Ballet in performances of Brahms’s Liebeslieder Walzer and Neue Liebeslieder Walzer. Appearances around the country have included work with Opera San José, Washington Concert Opera, and as vocal soloist for Schoenberg’s infamous Pierrot Lunaire with the NOVA ensemble. Distinguished in competitions, Grey was a Grand Finalist in the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Other accolades include awards from the Opera Index Competition, Schubert Club, and Presser Foundation among others.

 

In addition to an active performing career, Dr. Grey is a dedicated academic. Previous engagements include work at Tarleton State University, the University of North Texas, and the University of Northern Iowa. A dedicated clinician, Dr. Grey is in high demand, giving masterclasses and working with students from institutions such as Texas Christian University, Oklahoma Central University, University of North Texas, and the University of Northern Iowa among others.

Dr. Grey completed her DMA at the University of North Texas. She received her BM and MM from the University of Northern Iowa. Additional training includes tenures served with the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Wolf Trap Opera Company, Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program, Merola Opera Program, and Chautauqua Opera Company. Grey’s experience in these Young Artist Programs has given her unique insight into the paths of traditional development for classical singers in the US. Grey’s experience in Young Artist Programs and subsequent professional work were the inspiration and basis for her DMA dissertation “Defining ‘Success’: Professional Careers of Participants in Vocal Young Artist Programs.”

Dr. Grey currently serves on faculty for the University of Memphis’s Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice.