Michelle Minke is a familiar face among Calgary’s vocal performers and her love of music is contagious. Michelle and the Cowtown Opera Company, which she founded, are known for their sporadic musical performances in public places.

While many Calgarians have encountered Michelle’s performances, few are aware of the singer’s devotion to teaching and mentoring students, as she assists others with their attempts to reach their dreams.

Michelle’s dream began at Lord Beaverbrook High School when a teacher noticed her musical talent.

“Jim Shields at Lord Beaverbrook pulled me out and said ‘Michelle, can I hear you for a couple of minutes?’,” remembers Michelle. “He played some scales with me and I kept going higher and higher. He said ‘I really think you should take some singing lessons’ and once I did, I couldn't stop.”

“I just totally fell in love with singing and with opera.”

At the age of 18, Michelle joined the Calgary Opera Chorus before departing for Toronto where she earned her masters degree.

In 2007, Michelle returned home to take part in Calgary Opera's emerging artists program.

“She was in our first year of that program,” recollects Bob McPhee, CEO of Calgary Opera. “She has gone on to several roles with our company on our main stage and in things like our summer festival last year, Opera in the Village.”

Michelle continues to contribute to Calgary through her involvement with the Cowtown Opera Company, an organization she formed to bring the music she loves to the public, and her work in the classroom.

“I have incorporated and found a real love for teaching in the midst of all my singing,” explains Michelle.

Michelle teaches at Ambrose University College, the Mount Royal University Conservatory and Chinook School of Music.

The Cowtown Opera Company allows Michelle’s students an outlet to perform. Following the success of 2013’s version of the Phantom of the Opera, the group is currently rehearsing a sing-along version of the Sound of Music which will be presented at the Lantern Community Church in Inglewood in March.

For the way she uses her passion and talent to benefit others, Michelle Minke is this week’s Inspiring Albertan this week.