Megan Ihnen, mezzo-soprano
Megan Ihnen, mezzo-soprano, was raised in West Des Moines, IA where her enchantment with opera and vocal performance began after seeing an outreach production. This self-described “ham” went on to shine in school choirs and stage plays. Her ebullient attitude blossoms on stage creating fascinating interpretations of opera’s favorite characters.
Megan brought imaginative life to Hansel in Peabody Opera Outreach’s performances of “Hansel and Gretel.” Presenting dynamic and creative opera outreach in her community is one of Megan’s career tenets. Recently, Megan has also given emotional performances as Romeo in Bellini’s I Capuleti E I Montecchi, L’enfant et les Sortilèges and in the world premiere of The Yellow Wallpaper as part of Peabody Chamber Opera.
Equally at home in the recital hall as on the opera stage, Megan enjoys performing art song, oratorio, and musical theatre. In collaboration with Great Noise Ensemble, Megan gave the Washington D.C. premiere of Andrew E. Simpson’s “Lotus and Poppy” in December, 2009. Also in 2009, Megan was a soloist with the Mid Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and performed as the Alto Soloist for Mozart’s Vespers of the Solemn Confessor with the Loyola Chorale. She made her D.C. debut in Handel’s Messiah with the CHANDOS Orchestra in 2007. In August ’07, Megan returned from a successful experience in the lieder studio of Harold Heiberg at AIMS in Graz, Austria.
Before her move to Baltimore, Megan was an exciting stage presence across the Midwest. She performed Edith in Pirates of Penzance, Henrietta in HONK! (Sioux Falls, SD), and Susan Hershey in The Full Monty (Des Moines, IA). She also sang in celebrated performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Augustana Orchesta; and Mozart’s Requiem, South Dakota Chamber Symphony. Megan also had the honor of singing as a soloist on the Augustana Choir tour of Tanzania, Africa.
Megan’s focus has recently turned to modern music for the voice. Upcoming performances include the world premiere of Erik Spangler’s Mandala of the Four Directions as well as work again with Great Noise Ensemble on Hartsough’s City Life. She has been the recipient of both the Peabody Development Grant in 2008 and the Phyllis Bryn-Julson Award for Commitment to and Performance of 20th/21st Century Music in 2009. Megan recently launched the Federal Hill Parlor Series featuring the Chiliad Ensemble committed to presenting quality vocal music in the homes of this prized neighborhood of Baltimore City.When Megan cuts loose from rehearsals and performing she relishes her time to watch movies, play trivia with her friends, and suffer through spin class. She also enjoys visiting museums and attending concerts around the city. Finally, Megan is honing her cooking skills on the perfect French toast recipe.
