Mark Billy

Mark Billy is an operatic baritone, clarinetist, and Native flutist of Indigenous (Choctaw tribe) ancestry from Finley, Oklahoma. Mark enjoys a multi-faceted career in opera, recital, concerts with orchestra, and Indigenous music education. Mark recently created the lead role of Inki' in the historic first opera to be written in an Indigenous language (Chickasaw): Loksi' Shaali' (Shell Shaker) written by Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate. Mark is a performing artist of the North American Indigenous Songbook, an initiative to champion the works of Indigenous composers. Hailed as an authority on the intersection of Indigenous culture and classical music, the baritone is in demand as a performer and lecturer by opera companies and educational institutions throughout the United States. Mark continues to premier countless new works which have written specifically for his voice by Indigenous composers. Mark has performed roles and as a soloist with Madison Opera, Opera Montana, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Hawaii Opera Theater, Duluth Superior Symphony, and many other arts organizations. Mark will make many important debuts in 2025 with companies such as the Lubbock Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, and the Minnesota Bach Society. Mark is the recipient of numerous awards and grants including the Music in Action Grant from the Wagner Society of the Upper Midwest, Opera Reading Project’s IDEA Fellowship, first prize in the St. Croix Valley Opera Competition and first prize in the Schubert Club Competition. Mark was a national finalist in the Ryan Opera Center auditions at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.