Introducing barihunk Michael Maliakel

Michael Maliakel

Michael Maliakel, who stands at 6'4", was this year's winner of the American Traditions Competition in Savannah, Georgia and is new to the site. He also took first place in the 2014 National Music Theater Competition, 3rd Prize at the 2015 Lotte Lenya Competition and was a finalist in the Philadelphia Orchestra Albert M. Greenfield Competition.

A native of New Jersey, Maliakel received his earliest vocal training as a treble in the American Boychoir before pursuing a BM from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. He currently lives in New York City.

Last June, he performed an evening of Kurt Weill at Feinstein’s/54 Below with the Light Opera of New York. Other opera credits include Monsieur Presto in Poulenc’s Les mamelles de Tirésias, the Shoe Salesman in Argento’s Postcard from Morocco, Raimondo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, and the baritone in Philip Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox.

Maliakel’s concert appearances have included the baritone solos in Handel's Messiah, Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, Fauré’s Requiem, Rossini's Petite messe solennelle, Bach's Magnificat, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

In addition to his solo pursuits, Maliakel teaches voice privately and performs regularly with some of New York City-based vocal ensembles.

The American Traditions Competition is currently taking applications for singers over the age of 21to compete in their 2017 competition. You can apply HERE. In addition to Maliakel, other barihunk winners of the competition include Andrew Garland in 2003 and Douglas Carpenter in 2011.