Shannon McGinnis
Pianist Shannon McGinnis has been recognized for partnerships with some of the brightest stars in the classical vocal music world. Her playing has been described as “excellent” (Opera News), “strong and supportive” (Chicago Tribune), and “boldly projected, characterful, and delicately nuanced” (Chicago Classical Review). Recent highlights include appearances as official pianist for the Joyce DiDonato Master Classes at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (broadcast on medici.tv); debuts with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and San Francisco Performances; recitals with soprano Nicole Heaston, recorded live at the Ravinia Festival and broadcast on WFMT; with soprano Olivia Boehm, as part of the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series; and a recital with Grammy-award winning tenor Karim Sulayman (spring 2024). A passionate champion of art song, McGinnis is a co-founder of Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, where, as Director of Education, she pioneered and oversees organization’s tuition-free Vocal Chamber Music Fellowship. In summer 2023 McGinnis was appointed as Interim Associate Dean of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where she has served on the faculty since 2016. As Associate Professor of Opera and Director of Opera programs, McGinnis oversees CCPA's undergraduate and graduate opera curricula, as well as the highly selective Professional Diploma in Opera program. During her tenure at CCPA, McGinnis has maintained a sought-after vocal coaching studio, from which her students go on to earn coveted spots in graduate schools and elite training programs in the United States and abroad. McGinnis holds the DMA in Accompanying and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan, as a student of Martin Katz. She is a recipient of the Emerging Artist Award in Music by the School of Music, Theatre and Dance Alumni Society Board of Governors, and is a co-recipient (as a founder of Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago), of the Christopher Kendall Award. Corinne Costell is a soprano from Port Jefferson Station, New York who is currently enjoying her fifth year in Chicago. She most recently finished her time with the Chicago Opera Theater/Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University Professional Diploma and Young Artist Program. During her time at COT, Corinne premiered the role of Ivy in The Cook-Off, part of the Vanguard composer program alongside Shawn Okbebholo, composer, and Mark Campbell, librettist. Previously, Corinne performed as Wren #1 in The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing while also covering the role of Sara Turing in the same production in March 2023. She also “winningly played”* the role of Emmie in Albert Herring in January 2023, while also covering the role of Miss Wordsworth in the same production. Additionally, Corinne premiered the role of Phoebe in The Beekeeper, composed by Wang Lu and libretto by Kelley Rourke with the Chicago Opera Theater in March 2022. She has covered multiple roles with the Chicago Opera Theater, such as Micaëla in their September 2021 production of Carmen, and Yan the elf in Mark Adamo’s Becoming Santa Claus in December 2021. She has already been invited back by the Chicago Opera Theater to be the Soprano Soloist/The Vendor in the production of The Nose by Dmitri Shostakovich in December 2023. Most recently in 2024, Corinne premiered a new opera entitled Wet Dirt as the lead role of Deer with Thompson Street Opera. Additionally, Corinne performed in concert works with both CAIC in their spring lieder lounge, as well as performed her first Carmina Burana as the soprano soloist with the Naperville Chorus. Corinne is excited to bring new roles to life in upcoming contemporary works during her time here in Chicago.
