Michael Fuchs

Dr. Michael Fuchs has enjoyed an active career as a conductor, educator, and singer. He is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Superior where he conducts the UWS Singers and Chorale and also serves as the Chair of the Department of Music. He has taught courses in conducting, choral methods, ear training, and music history. Dr. Fuchs is the Chorus Director for the Lyric Opera of the North and conductor of the professional LOON COR ensemble. He is also the Director of Choral Activities at First Lutheran Church in Duluth where he oversees an active and vibrant choral program. Prior to moving to the Twin Ports, Dr. Fuchs was the Director of Choral Activities at Clayton State University in Morrow, GA where he conducted the Chorale, the Collegium Vocale, and founded the Masterworks Chorus at Spivey Hall. Choirs under his direction have performed across the United States and internationally while receiving numerous honors and awards. He has prepared choruses for performances with Joe Miller, Annunziata Tomaro, Mark Gibson, Dirk Meyer, and Joseph Flummerfelt. Previous professional positions include Artistic Director of Musica, the premier chamber choir of Dayton, OH, and the Founder and Artistic Director of the Westminster Bach Consort.
Dr. Fuchs has sung professionally throughout the United States. He has performed with the Vocal Arts Ensemble, May Festival Chorus, and the Kinnara Ensemble. He has appeared as baritone soloist with Princeton Pro Musica and the Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra. As a recitalist, he has performed at Spivey Hall in Morrow, GA and in the Twin Ports.
Active in research, Dr. Fuchs’ interests include early music performance practice, the vocal music of J.S. Bach, and vocal pedagogy for the choral rehearsal. He is co-author of Bach’s St. John Passion for the 21st Century, published by Rowman & Littlefield in October 2023. His doctoral dissertation was a choral application of vocal pedagogical principles titled A Conductor’s Guide to the Incorporation of ‘Bel Canto’ Methodology in the Choral Rehearsal. Dr. Fuchs holds degrees in choral conducting from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey as well as a degree in Music Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He has studied conducting with René Clausen, Joe Miller, James Jordan, Andrew Megill, Earl Rivers, Brett Scott, and Mark Gibson.