With her warm, expressive voice, dynamic stage presence, and conscientious attention to each musical detail, soprano Shannon Jongema is a mesmerizing storyteller on opera and concert stages alike.

This season, Shannon is delighted to be performing the role of Julia in Künneke’s Der Vetter aus Dingsda at the University of Memphis. She is also thrilled to return to Rhodes MasterSingers as soprano soloist for Mendelssohn’s Elijah and soprano cover for Barber’s Prayers of Kierkegaard.

Shannon’s recent operatic credits include the roles of Mimì (La Bohème) at the University of Memphis; Mme. Silberklang (Der Schauspieldirektor) and Suor Dolcina/Suor Osmina (Suor Angelica) with Varna International Music Academy; Lucy (The Telephone) and Mrs. Gobineau (The Medium) with Musical Traditions, Inc.; and scenes from the roles of Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Laura (Der Bettelstudent), and Mariza (Gräfin Mariza) with Musiktheater Bavaria. Shannon has also sung in the chorus of Tosca with Opera Memphis and Amahl and the Night Visitors with Memphis Light Opera.

Shannon is passionate about using her music to advocate for populations that are typically underrepresented in classical music. She was privileged to do just that in 2021, performing a set of songs by Undine Smith Moore on a lecture recital entitled Art Songs and Spirituals of African American Women Composers.

Shannon’s other concert engagements include Mozart’s Requiem with Varna International Music Academy, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, and Still’s And They Lynched Him on a Tree with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, as well as solos on that organization’s concerts Insights and Sounds: Musical Humor and A Classic Christmas. Shannon has also served as soprano cover for performances of Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Mozart’s Regina Coeli (K127), Haydn’s The Creation, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Poulenc’s Gloria.

Shannon is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Memphis, studying under Professor Mary Wilson. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Secondary Education from Rollins College where she studied under Dr. Caitlin Mohr and Professor Amy Gifford.