Melanie Downie, soprano, graduated magna cum laude from DePauw University in 1998 with a double major in Vocal Performance and Computer Science. Although her specialty is early music and oratorio, she has a diverse background in opera, art song, gospel, jazz, musical theatre, Celtic/folk, and chansons françaises. Previously trained as a mezzo, Mel is now best known for her clear, soaring soprano sound and engaging stage presence. Originally from the Detroit area, Mel gradually found her way to Portland, Oregon after brief stops in Cincinnati, Ohio and Montpellier, France. She has traveled extensively through Europe and South/Central America (including Cuba in 2003) and has performed in Austria, France and the Netherlands. She is currently a student of Nancy Zylstra in Seattle. Past teachers include Nancy Olson-Chatalas, Barbara Paré, Faith Rick, Kristina Armetta, Blake Applegate and Ellen Faull. Especially fond of sacred music and ensemble work, Mel sings with Cantores in Ecclesia, a chamber choir that specializes in sacred Renaissance polyphony and Gregorian chant. She is also one of the soprano soloists in the regionally-acclaimed Chamber Choir at the First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland. In January of 2007, Mel had the honor of performing the St. Matthew Passion at Carnegie Hall under the baton of Helmuth Rilling. Ms. Zupan is fluent in French and a well-known chanteuse in the local Francophile community. In addition to her vocal endeavors, Mel is an accomplished flautist. And, lest that Computer Science degree go to waste, she is the Systems Administrator (although better known as the “technodiva”) at the French American International School. She currently resides in southwest Portland with her husband, son and two cats.