Having firmly established himself as one of opera’s most important leaders and mentors, Michael Heaston has enjoyed a varied career as a well-respected administrator, collaborative pianist, and vocal coach. He is Assistant General Manager, Artistic at The Metropolitan Opera where he oversees casting and artistic planning in addition to running the entire Artistic Department. Prior to this he was Professor of Opera/Director of Opera Studies at Rice University and Music Director of the Houston Grand Opera Studio. He served as Executive Director and Acting Artistic Director of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at The Met. He has also been the Director of the Cafritz Young Artist Program, American Opera Initiative, and Advisor to the Artistic Director at Washington National Opera, Associate Artistic Director at The Glimmerglass Festival, and Head of Music Staff at The Dallas Opera.

A sought-after adjudicator, he has been a frequent judge for the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and served on the juries of the Marilyn Horne Song Competition at Music Academy of the West, Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, Jensen Vocal Competition, Young Patronesses of the Opera Competition, McCammon Vocal Competition, DC Vocal Arts Art Song Competition and many others. Mr. Heaston is also in demand as a clinician, having presented master classes at The Juilliard School, Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, University of Michigan, Florida Grand Opera, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, to name a few.