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Markel Porter

Vocal Music Director

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Mezzo soprano

Markel grew up in Cherryvale, Kansas, where her love of music grew from her family.  Markel’s father sang and played guitar and autoharp and her mother sang and played piano.  Often, Markel and her family would sing in church, and Markel began to give concerts in churches as a soloist at the age of 17.

After high school, Markel attended Coffeyville Community College.  Her time spent at CCC was a great time of growing both in her character and vocally.  She enjoyed the show choir and taking voice lessons for the first time.  After moving around the country following her husband’s career, she went back to school at Pittsburg State University where she studied opera – against her will!  Just five years later, she was singing with the Tulsa Opera Chorus.

Throughout the years, Markel has performed many church concerts, given voice lessons and directed choirs.  Most of her professional career has been in music retail including Zeagler Music in Baton Rouge, La.; Zeagler Music in Metaire, La.; Mississippi Music in Biloxi, Miss.; and J.W. Pepper in Kansas City.

Markel is excited to be teaching once again and putting to use the wonderful things she learned in college as well as what she has learned along the path of life.

She is married to Steven Porter and together they have three adult boys and one daughter-in-law.  In her spare time, Markel likes to…sing!   And watch sci-fi/fantasy movies.

Education:
Cherryvale High School, Cherryvale, Kan.
Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, Kan. – Associate in Arts
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan. – Bachelor of Music – Vocal Performance; Master of Music – Vocal Performance

Performance Roles:
Hansel – Hansel und Gretl
Impresario – The Impresario
Victoria – Cats
Chorus member – La Boheme
Chorus member – L’Elisir d’Amore
Chorus member – Lakme’ 
Chorus member - Carmen
Many additional roles in Opera Scenes