Tenor Colin Miller recently completed his Master of Music degree at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he studied with Professor Nova Thomas. A multiple award winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, he earned district wins in 2022 (Colorado–Wyoming) and 2026 (Houston), as well as a 2025 Encouragement Award (Houston). He is quickly gaining recognition for his expressive, old-school Italian sound, stylistic versatility, and thoughtful musicianship.

​

In 2025, Colin made his debut with the Shepherd School Opera as Léon in The Ghosts of Versailles, conducted by Ben Manis and directed by Patricia Racette, with the composer, Maestro John Corigliano in attendance. Also at the Shepherd School, Colin performed the role of Prince Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (conducted by Louis Lohraseb, directed by R. B. Schlather) and Fenton in Verdi’s Falstaff (conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, directed by Matt Hune). He also appeared as Froh in scenes from Wagner’s Das Rheingold during a public masterclass led by Tonya and Ryan McKinny presented through the Shepherd School’s Aleko Residency, and performed a shortened, concert version of Handel’s Alcina in the role of Oronte, also conducted by Louis Lohraseb. 

​

He has participated as a Young Artist at the American Institute for Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, and was a returning Young Artist with the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center, where he trained across three seasons. His work at Brevard has included roles such as Bill in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, Matt of the Mint in Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera, Jack in Sondheim’s Into the Woods, and Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha, as well as covering Peter Quint in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw and Remendado in Bizet’s Carmen. He has also participated in masterclasses with artists including Caroline Worra, Phyllis Pancella, Jason Ferrante, and Patti LuPone, and was subsequently invited to return as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah.

​

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Colin earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Professor Bradley Williams. During his time at NEC, Colin’s performances included Alfred in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus and a zany portrayal of the Gingerbread Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, a role he reprised for NEC’s Commencement Concert in Jordan Hall. In semi-staged opera scenes programs, he performed selections from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro as Basilio, Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia as Count Almaviva, and La Cenerentola as Don Ramiro. He also appeared in a public masterclass with soprano Sari Gruber.

​

Additional performance highlights include covering Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore with Boston Opera Collaborative and performing Arnold’s aria “Asile Hereditaire” from Rossini’s Guillaume Tell in concert with the Rivers Symphony Orchestra.

​

This summer, Colin joined Des Moines Metro Opera as a Resident Artist, where he covered Spoletta in Puccini’s Tosca, as well as performing in multiple different concerts, including a scenes program with orchestra as Prunier in the famous quartet, "Bevo al tuo fresco sorriso" from Puccini's La Rondine. He also appeared as Lensky in a scene from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Franz in a scene from Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, and Second Soldier in a scene from Handel’s Incoronazione di Poppea.

​

Colin's upcoming performances will be as an Apprentice Artist with the Utah Opera. Those performances will include the annual Messiah sing-in at Abravanel Hall, Access to Music Concerts, and outreach performances on tour with the other apprentice artists. Colin will also cover the role of Don Ottavio in Mozart's Don Giovanni.