As an educator, director, and singer, Desiree Howe is passionate about communicating relevant and important messages through musical performance. Her recent operatic roles include Musetta in La Bohème (University of Memphis), Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, and Pamina in The Mini Magic Flute (Opera Memphis.) Desiree has received performance awards from several competitions including Opera Memphis’ Inaugural Nuevas Canciones Competition (First Place- 2022), Memphis’ 2022 Beethoven Club's Savell Vocal Competition (First Place-Young Artists Division), University of Memphis’ 2021 Concerto Competition (Winner) and the 2020 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Encouragement Award-Regional.) Mrs. Howe is a voice teacher for Ballet Memphis’ Dance for Parkinson’s Disease, as well as her private voice studio.
Hailing from Texas, Desiree earned her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Texas Tech University. She is a doctoral candidate at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music anticipating December 2023 graduation.