Michaela Chiste is a soprano hailing from Okotoks, Alberta. Originally trained as a stage actor, she spent most of her life studying and performing in the dramatic arts and musical theatre before crossing over to the world of classical singing in 2013. ​ Michaela specializes in operatic repertoire; she received praise for her debut portrayal of Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème. Opera Canada described her performance as "a fine balance of fragility and hopefulness". She was also described as "effective... a great actress" (I Don't Get It), and that she "rises to the occasion" (Daze Magazine) and "more than holds her own among the seasoned cast" (Edmonton Journal). Other highlights include Alcina (Alcina), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Principal (.Gabriel), and Frasquita (Carmen). ​ She has performed as a soloist internationally and across Canada, and is passionate about contemporary music. She has premiered several new art songs and operas, including Ronald Beckett's song cycles Songs of Fracture (2019) and Bouquet (2022), for which she authored the poetry. Michaela is an alumna of Arcady's Emerging Artist Program and former roster singer for Cowtown Opera.