Kelly Sawatsky

Kelly Sawatsky is the Dean of Academic Affairs at Manhattan School of Music. She was part of the Precollege administrative staff beginning in 2002 in a variety of positions, was named Dean of Precollege in 2011 and named Dean of Academic Affairs in 2020.

An accomplished and well-respected lyric soprano, Ms. Sawatsky has been an artist with the Banff Centre for the Arts Opera as Theatre program, Dicapo Opera Theatre Resident Young Artists, the Caramoor Bel Canto Soloists and the Banff Centre for the Art’s Contemporary Opera Program. Her performances include the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, and Mimi in La Bohème. She participated in Centro Studi Lirica in Urbania, Italy where she performed scenes from L’amico Fritz, Le nozze di Figaro, and La Bohème. 

In 2002, Ms. Sawatsky made her solo debut at Avery Fisher Hall in Handel’s Messiah. A graduate of Manhattan School of Music’s Master’s degree program, she was featured in Eugene Onegin, Vanessa, and Amelia Goes to the Ball and created the role of Momoolie in The Araboolies of Liberty Street. Other roles include Cio Cio San, Komponist, and Sesto (La clemenza di Tito).

Ms. Sawatsky received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Manitoba. She has been a soloist with the National Chorale, Chamber Opera West, Richmond Choral Society, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Southern Manitoba Choral Association and the Winnipeg Singers.

Manhattan School of Music Precollege faculty since 2005.