Biographies

Michelle Marie Pedersen, soprano, was a featured guest artist for Cantus Youth Choirs at our 2013 Season Finale. She accepted an offer to direct choirs with Cantus and did so from the fall of 2013 to the spring of 2017. Ms. Pedersen graciously accepted the offer to be our guest artist at her final concert in April 2017. Ms. Pedersen left in 2017 to pursue masters and doctorate degrees at the University of Utah. In 2020, Ms. Pedersen was a featured soloist in our virtual choir production, Hope Will Lead Us On. Her service and involvement with Cantus has spanned the better part of a decade!

Ms. Pedersen has appeared as a soloist throughout the Pacific Northwest, and performed roles on both the operatic and musical theater stages.

Ms. Pedersen’s opera roles include Angelica (Suor Angelica), Gilda (Rigoletto), Musetta and Mimi (La Bohème), Madame Lidoine (Dialogues des Carmélites), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Old Lady (Candide), Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), and Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors).

Ms. Pedersen’s musical theater roles include Dolly Levi (Hello, Dolly!), Grand Duchess Anastasia (The Student Prince), Miss Euphrasia (The Mock Marriage), Stepmother (Cinderella), Lucy the Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd), Rosalie (The Daring of Diane), A Gentlemen of the Jury (Trial by Jury), Babcock Bellamy (The Fantasiks), Bloody Mary (South Pacific), and Vivien Luton (Perchance to Dream).

Ms. Pedersen has also performed extensively as a soloist in concert, competition, and recital works including Verdi Requiem, Mozart Requiem, Considering Mathew Shepherd, and Elijah with the Salt Lake Choral Artists; Premiere of Snow Sounds with the Salt Lake Symphony; Carmina Burana with the Paradigm Chamber Orchestra; and Angelina from Circular 14: Apotheosis of Aristides with the Utah Youth Symphonies. Additionally, Ms. Pedersen was the graduate winner of the University of Utah Philharmonia’s 2022 Concerto Competition.

Michelle holds a bachelor of arts in both Vocal Performance and Music Education from Oregon State University and a masters of music in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. Ms. Pedersen is currently finishing the work on the doctorate of music arts in Vocal Performance. Michelle is a student of Dr. Robert Breault.

Patrick Franks began his music career at age four, surprising family members with pieces he had taught himself by ear. He then began taking private lessons through various instructors in Northern Utah and at Brigham Young University until he graduated from high school. He was offered full tuition scholarships throughout his college years, which helped him advance his talents. During that time, he spent many hours accompanying the college choirs, chamber groups, and vocal soloists and by performing as a piano soloist himself.

It was during his college years that Patrick learned to play the organ. He spent many hours under the direction of the renown Ms. Edna Lu Jennings, a past Dean of the American Guild of Organists (St. George/Cedar Chapter), member of the Dixie College music faculty, and founder of the Dixie College Concert Organ Series. Patrick continues to play the organ for church congregations, choirs, special music events, and as a soloist.

 Patrick is married to Christi Franks, a vocal soloist whom he would often accompany during their college years. Together, they have five children, all of whom have varying interests in music. Patrick and his family are proud to call the Treasure Valley their home and continue to make music a part of their lives.