Pelagia Pamel is a Greek-American classically trained singer with almost two decades of performing experience in the operatic and musical theatre repertoire. Known for her extensive range and dramatic integrity, Pelagia has performed a wide variety of roles that demand a refined level of both musical and physical performance.
In the 2025-2026 season, Pelagia most notably debuted Fanny Price—the lead role of Jonathan Dove's Mansfield Park—with Indiana University Opera Theater under the baton of Gary Matthewman. She also sang La Princesse in Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges and was a Saloon Girl Dancer and Chorus singer in Oklahoma with the company. During the summer, Pelagia enjoyed working in the orchestral workshop of Martin Hennessy’s new opera, Swimming in the Dark, performing in concert as Mother and in the chorus.
In the 2024-2025 season, Pelagia made her IU Opera role debut as the Governess in Britten's The Turn of the Screw. She also sang in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Bates), a new commission and co-prodcution with The Metropolitan Opera at Indiana University. In concert, Pelagia was the soprano soloist for the premiere of Reena Esmail's trombone version of II. "Alleluia" from Exaltations, with NOTUS ensemble.
Pelagia has performed internationally in Vienna, Berlin, London, and Prague—most notably as Zerlina (Don Giovanni) with Prague Summer Nights Festival in partnership with the Czech National Opera. Other highlights include Niña (Ainadamar) with Detroit Opera (co-production with The Metropolitan Opera), Diana (Orphée aux enfers) with University of Michigan, Soprano Soloist (Ein deutsches Requiem, Brahms) with Wayne State University, Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus) with Berlin Opera Academy, and Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro) with Vienna Summer Music Festival.
Pelagia has sung as a soloist and chorus member in two acclaimed choruses—NOTUS Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, under the baton of Dominick DiOrio, and University of Michigan Chamber Choir, under the baton of Eugene Rogers. She is featured on premieres of new works commissioned for these ensembles, as well as professional recordings and broadcasts such as the PBS televised recording of Considering Matthew Shepard (“Meet Me Here” soloist) at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Pelagia has also sung in the chorus for various performances with Detroit Opera and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, performing major works such as Beethoven 9, Mahler 2, and Verdi’s Aida in Concert.
Pelagia has enhanced her training by attending various summer programs as a scholarship recipient or artist fellow, including the Manetti Shrem Opera Program at Festival Napa Valley, Prague Summer Nights Festival, Berlin Opera Academy, and Vienna Summer Music Festival.
Growing up in the Metro-Detroit area, Pelagia received musical theatre training early on through community and summer-stock theatre companies. She has a decade of performance experience in a variety of musical and dance styles including golden age, jazz, tap, contemporary, and ballet. Her most notable roles include the title role in Mary Poppins, Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), Liesl von Trapp (The Sound of Music), and the Dragon (Shrek The Musical).
Pelagia is grateful to have studied and coached with many esteemed industry professionals, including Heidi Grant Murphy, Daniel Washington, Martin Katz, Kevin Murphy, Walter Huff, Justina Lee, and Grant Loehnig. Celebrated directors such as Mo Zhou, Michael Shell, Kathleen Belcher, Omer Ben Seadia, and Alek Shrader have greatly influenced her dramatic development. Pelagia has sung under the batons of renowned conductors such as Arthur Fagen, Michael Christie, Jader Bignamini, Paolo Bortolameolli, Gary Matthewman, Dominick DiOrio, and Eugene Rogers.
At just three years old, Pelagia began her training as a competitive and show ice skater—her first look into the world of a performing athlete. She is a national competitor and 2x Gold Medalist certified in Freestyle and Moves, training extensively in singles, pairs, and ice dance. Pelagia has performed and choreographed a variety of music styles, from classical to jazz to contemporary. She is also a classically trained violinist of nine years.
Pelagia holds a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University), where she trained for two years under a full-scholarship Performance Fellowship. She also graduated from the University of Michigan with highest honors, earning both a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance & a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.