Acclaimed for his "exquisite, almost ethereal tone quality" (Vocal Arts Chicago) and “sexy, strong countertenor" (Stage and Cinema LA), Michael Skarke is quickly making waves among the opera and ensemble scenes of the United States and abroad. Michael’s dedication to storytelling and performance practice have inspired his reputation as a “miraculous voice” (Stage Raw LA) with “strong dramatic presence.” (San Diego Story)

Michael’s versatility as a performer shines through as he balances his role as an early music specialist with his regular performances of new music. Over the past few years, Michael has been featured as a soloist on groundbreaking premiere recordings produced by 11-time GRAMMY® award winner Blanton Alspaugh, including the Houston Chamber Choir’s recording of Daniel Knaggs' Two Streams and an arrangement of an all-men's rendition of Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil with the GRAMMY®-nominated PaTRAM Male Chorus in Jerusalem, Israel.

In recent seasons, Michael has performed with many of the leading opera companies in the United States, including Pacific Opera Project, West Edge Opera, the American Baroque Opera Company, Opera NEO, Ars Lyrica Houston, and Haymarket Opera, where his performances as Ottone in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea were marked by Chicago Classical Review as “superb… somehow making this weak lovelorn character credible and appealing.” Recent highlights also include appearances with Con Gioia Early Music Ensemble, La Grande Bande, and the GRAMMY® Award–winning Boston Early Music Festival, where he performed in the United States premiere of Reinhard Keiser’s Octavia, praised in coverage of the production as a “royal success.”

In addition to his operatic work, Michael is an active member of internationally celebrated ensembles across the United States, including Seraphic Fire, Transept, Chicora Voices, Ars Lyrica, the Mercury Singers, PaTRAM, Houston Bach Society, the VOCES8 Scholars, and the Houston Chamber Choir. He also serves as Ensemble Coordinator and Resident Alto for Harmonia Stellarum Houston, helping lead the organization’s artistic and logistical development as it continues to grow into one of the leading early music ensembles in the United States. In 2022, Michael traveled to Seoul, South Korea, joining the American Soloists Ensemble for a concert tour and recording commemorating the 141st anniversary of Korean–American relations.

Alongside his performing career, Michael is deeply committed to music education. He serves as Assistant Director of Choirs at Texas City High School, where he works to build a culture of musical excellence, leadership, and professionalism among young singers. His educational mission centers on bridging the gap between classroom instruction and the professional music world, regularly connecting his students with leading artists and institutions. Through these efforts, his choirs have already collaborated with professional ensembles and university faculty, including performances with Harmonia Stellarum and partnerships with Professor Melanie Sonnenberg at the University of Houston.

Michael holds two degrees in voice performance from Baylor University, where he studied under the guidance of Dr. Robert Best. When not captivating audiences, Michael enjoys golfing, weightlifting, and cherishing moments with his wife, Jenny, and their kids, Clarke, Jack, and Nora.