Abigail Shapiro, soprano, recently graduated with her Professional Studies Certificate and Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Joan Patenaude-Yarnell. She received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where she studied with Elizabeth Hynes.

During Abigail’s time at USC, she was fortunate to perform in the USC Thornton Opera productions as well as the Chamber Opera of USC. As a first-year master’s degree candidate at the Manhattan School of Music, Abigail also had the opportunity to perform a principal role in MSM’s Opera Theater. She was subsequently cast in a principal role the following year. In addition, she has attended several summer programs such as the Manhattan Summer Voice Festival, the International Vocal Arts Institute, the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Opera Maine, and most recently, performed as Fellow at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival. Recent operatic appearances include Thisbe (Isouard’s Cendrillon), Vitellia (La clemenza di Tito)​, Monica (The Medium), Madame de Tourvel (The Dangerous Liaisons), the Rooster/Vixen Cover (The Cunning Little Vixen), Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Ottavia (L’incoronazione di Poppea), Lucy (The Telephone), Second Spirit (Die Zauberflöte), Mrs. Gobineau (The Medium), as well as opera scenes and chorus work. Abigail recorded the role of Madame de Tourvel on the first complete album of The Dangerous Liaisons and the role of Thisbe on the album of Isouard’s Cendrillon, both of which were released with Albany records. She also performed in FOX’s Glee as a member of the Golden Goblets in the finale episode of the third season.

Abigail has received many honors, including the Margaret Hoswell van Der Marck Scholarship in Opera at the Manhattan School of Music. She was also awarded a Trustee Scholarship at USC, a full-tuition award merited for both academic and musical achievements. She was also a semi-finalist in the Spotlight Awards and a preliminary round winner in the Classical Singer Competition.