Michael Chaffin is a versatile tenor with a background spanning opera, oratorio, musical Michael Chaffin is a versatile tenor with a background spanning opera, oratorio, musical theatre, jazz, gospel, R&B/soul, contemporary Christian, rock, funk, and pop. Known for his engaging stage presence and expressive musicianship, Michael connects with audiences across genres and styles.

Michael has appeared in numerous productions with Arizona Opera, including Rigoletto, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, L’elisir d’amore, The Flying Dutchman, and L’italiana in Algeri. His operatic repertoire features roles such as Don Ramiro (La Cenerentola), Ferrando (Così fan tutte), Prunier (La Rondine), Alfred (Die Fledermaus), Nika Magadoff the Magician (The Consul), Blind (Die Fledermaus), The Beast (Giannini’s Beauty and the Beast), Mr. Splinters (The Tenderland), and Don Curzio (Le Nozze di Figaro), among others.

A seasoned soloist, Mr. Chaffin has performed major works including Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s Creation and Israel in Egypt, Bach’s B Minor Mass and Coffee Cantata, and Hailstork’s tenor cantata I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, with ensembles such as Tucson Chamber Artists (now True Concord). On the musical theatre stage, Michael has recently performed roles such as Michael in the two-person musical I Do! I Do!, Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, and Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol.

In addition to his performance work, Michael is committed to helping others grow in their musical artistry. He currently teaches private singing lessons at his full-time voice studio and teaches choir at Veritas Academy of Tucson, where his two sons study. He has also served as the choral director at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy as well as at several churches, and he was a pioneering teaching artist with Tucson Unified School District’s Opening Minds Through the Arts (OMA) program. Michael holds a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Northern Colorado.