CLIFTON MASSEY (counter-tenor) enjoys performing a variety of vocal styles with world-class musicians. Praised for his "depth of tone" by the Dallas Morning News and "expressive, moving" singing by San Francisco Classical Voice, he strives for informed interpretations of styles from the Middle Ages to newly-composed pieces. Known for a deep commitment to musical excellence, Mr. Massey is often sought for oratorio and ensemble work throughout the Bay Area and beyond. At home on the concert and opera stage, he has appeared as Apollo in Albinoni's Il Nascimento dell'Aurora with City Concert Opera, the sorceress in Purcell's King Arthur at the Bloomington Early Music Festival, and as soloist with notable period-instrument groups including American Bach Soloists, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Concert Royal NYC, and the Dallas Bach Society. He has collaborated with such renowned conductors as Jeffrey Thomas, Nicholas McGegan, Skitch Henderson, John Holloway, and Paul Hillier. A proponent of high-level ensemble singing, Mr. Massey performed with the award-winning ensemble Chanticleer with whom he sang in over 200 concerts at the Tanglewood Music Festival, Ravinia Festival, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tokyo Opera City, and in a variety of the world's finest concert halls. With them, he can be heard as a soloist on their recording "Sound in Spirit." In 2006, a group of alumni from that ensemble formed Clerestory, an a cappella men's ensemble with whom he can be heard on their upcoming CD "Night Draws Near" available in October. As an educator, Mr. Massey seeks to instill a love of music and singing with young adults, and is often sought as a choral clinician and adjudicator. Upcoming solo projects include Purcell with the American Bach Soloists in February, and the Bach Mass in B Minor with Pacific Collegium in Spring 2011. Mr. Massey is a native of Dallas, Texas and holds a music education bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University and a master's degree in Early Music vocal performance from Indiana University, where he studied with Paul Elliott, Alan Bennett and Paul Hillier.