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The American tenor, choral conductor and music educator, Michael Bodnyk, obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Vocal Performance from Mannes College of Music in New York City (2005); his Master of Church Music degree in Choral Conducting from Concordia University-Wisconsin; his Master of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Hunter College/CUNY (2009); and the Master of Arts degree in vocal performance from Hunter College/CUNY; and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from the Boston University (2015-2019).
Michael Bodnyk made his solo Carnegie Hall debut in October 2014 with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland after singing a series of concerts with the orchestra in Galway, Ireland. He is active as a soloist in concert, recital, oratorio, opera and operetta. Recent solo performances include George Frideric Handel's Messiah, J. Haydn's Mass in time of War, Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah, Felix Mendelssohn's Paulus, W.A. Mozart's Coronation Mass, Camille Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio, Igor Stravinsky's Mass, & J.S. Bach's Cantata Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 61.
Michael Bodnyk served as a cantor, soloist, and choral section leader at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for 16 years (September 2004-2020). He sings for morning masses broadcast on Sirius XM Radio and local cable television. With the Cathedral Choir, he has been honored to sing for both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis during their visits to the USA, as well as for President Bush at The White House. He was also an assistant musician at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. He currently serves as the Minister of Music at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church (SAKLC) in Sarasota, Florida, overseeing their music ministry and leading various ensembles, including interfaith choirs, as evidenced by recent events like the 2025 Thanksgiving service where he directed a joint choir. He is a key figure in SAKLC's vibrant musical life, working with choral scholars and instrumentalists to provide diverse worship experiences.
Michael Bodnyk is the Co-Executive Director and Director of Arts of Camp Rhythmo (since June 2013), a nonprofit organization that inspires young people to pursue healthy lifestyles, build self-confidence, and spark creativity through music, science, movement, and creative arts. Camp Rhythmo currently offers summer programming, musical theatre workshops, and after school enrichment programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. As part of Camp Rhythmo's musical theatre workshops, Bodnyk has served as the musical director and accompanist for several full productions including Aladdin Kids, Annie Jr, Annie Kids", 101 Dalmatians Kids", and others.
A strong proponent of music education, Michael Bodnyk has been teaching elementary music within the Archdiocese of New York for the past eleven years (since 2004). His various ensembles have participated in music festivals throughout the tri-state area. One of his English handbell choirs was featured in a performance at Carnegie Hall, making history as the first handbell group to perform with a symphony orchestra in the venue. He is currently on the faculty of the Academy of St. Joseph in Greenwich Village (since January 2015).
Michael Bodnyk is the 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award from Moravian Academy, his alma mater. He is a past recipient of the Ruth K. Jacobs Award from The Choristers Guild, recognized for his work with children’s choirs, and the McKeenan Award from the Handbell Musicians of America. He was invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in November 2016 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. |
