Michael Payne grew up in Soddy-Daisy where he was introduced to piano lessons by his grandmother. At 5, he saw the Chattanooga Boys Choir for the first time and found a passion for singing. Like a lot of kids, he soon discovered pop music and wanted to sing like the songs he heard on the radio.
Puberty had other plans as Michael was blessed with a deep, DEEP baritone, which was better suited to singing choral or classical music than Justin Timberlake.
On a whim, he and a buddy took advantage of the opportunity to try out for Tennessee Governor’s School, which gives students four weeks of intensive training and performing opportunities.
“It was there I got a glimpse of what it could be like to be a music major,” he says.
Barry Courter
He enrolled in Lee University, where he got a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance, then took a year off before heading to Missouri State University, where he just completed his master’s in vocal performance. This summer, Michael, 25, will participate in the Manhattan Opera Studio Summer Program.