Following his studies at McGill University in Montreal, he completed his musical education in Vienna at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst and the Franz Schubert Institute, and in Salzburg at the Mozarteum. During this time, he studied with such legendary artists as Erik Werba, Hans Hotter, Elly Ameling, Jörg Demus, and Kim Borg.

In addition to his active performing schedule, Michael McMahon is a Professor at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University in Montreal. He has had long associations with “l’Atelier lyrique de L’Opéra de Montréal”, Opera Nuova, the Orford Arts Centre and the Banff Centre for the Arts, where he has worked regularly as a vocal coach. He is also often asked to give Masterclasses for singers and pianists, and is a resident artist at the Franz Schubert Institute in Austria and the C.O.S.I. Summer Opera program in Italy.

He has made numerous broadcast recordings for the English and French networks of the CBC, as well as for the BBC, RBTF, Radio Suisse Romande, and Radio France. His recordings on the Marquis, CBC , Atma, and Analekta labels have met with critical acclaim, including Juno nominations and the “Prix Opus”. Michael McMahon was also a judge and vocal coach for the award winning television series “Bathroom Divas”.

Le pianiste Michael McMahon est le partenaire préféré de plusieurs des meilleurs chanteurs canadiens. Il se produit régulièrement au Canada, en Europe, au Japon et aux États Unis avec de nombreux chanteurs et chanteuses de renom, dont Catherine Robbin, Karina Gauvin, Measha Brueggergosman, Marianne Fiset, Lyne Fortin, Dominique Labelle, Wendy Nielsen, Maureen Forester, Marie Nicole Lemieux, Annamaria Popescu, Joseph Kaiser, Nathan Berg, Brett Polegato, Benjamin Butterfield, Daniel Taylor, Michael Schade, Russell Braun et Richard Margison.

Après ses études à l’Université McGill de Montréal, il a poursuit ses études en musique à la Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst à Vienne et à l’Institut Franz Schubert, ainsi qu’au Mozarteum à Salzbourg. Il a étudié avec des artistes légendaires, dont Erik Werba, Hans Hotter, Elly Ameling, Jörg Demus et Kim Borg.

En plus des nombreux concerts à son horaire, Michael McMahon est professeur à la « Schulich School of Music » de l’Université McGill à Montréal. En qualité de coach vocal, il travaille régulièrement avec l’Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, Opera Nuova, le Centre d’arts Orford et le Centre d’arts de Banff. On lui demande aussi d’offrir des classes de maître aux chanteurs et aux pianistes. Il est actuellement artiste en résidence à l’Institut Franz Schubert en Autriche et au festival d’opéra C.O.S.I. en Italie.

Michael McMahon a fait de nombreux enregistrements radiodiffusés aux réseaux français et anglais de CBC ainsi qu’à BBC, RBTF, Radio Suisse Romande et Radio France. Ses enregistrements sur étiquette Marquis, CBC, Atma et Analekta ont reçu les éloges du public et lui ont mérité une nomination aux Prix Junos ainsi qu’un Prix Opus. Il a aussi été membre du jury et coach vocal dans le cadre de la série télévisée « Bathroom Divas ».

In particular the 1980 tour, which involved also the two singers Catherine Robbin and John Dodington, included a stop in Sydney, Nova Scotia.  We landed in a huge blizzard (VERY scary flight), made our way by taxi to the hotel, and were told that there were no rooms booked for us.  Moreover all the hotels in town were full!  Aaaaargh!  At any rate, we did eventually manage to find a place to sleep.  The concert was in a brand new facility – a large hall with a spanking new Steinway D.  The CBC guys were there setting up to record.  8p.m. came and we didn’t hear much chatter coming from the audience; eventually we went out on stage only to find a total of two people plus the CBC producer and his assistant in the seats!  Counting my page turner, there was an equal number of people onstage and in the hall!  We had a wonderful time that night though – the acoustics were excellent, and the piano a dream.  Too bad about the storm……

My other two tours, with the violinist Martin Beaver and the author Robert McNeil, were full of joyous music making, laughter, connections and of course the beauty of the Maritime provinces – the place of my birth (New Brunswick).”

– Jane Coop (August 23, 2014)