Max Alexander Cook has been praised for his vocal power and coloratura prowess. Based in the DC Metro Area, Cook is originally from Ashland, Virginia. He is currently a masters student at the University of Maryland in the Maryland Opera Studio where he sang the role of Contino Belfiore in La finta giardiniera. In the coming season, Cook will sing Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus with Cedar Rapids Opera and Fabian and David in Heggie’s If I Were You with Maryland Opera Studio.

In 2025, Cook won the North Carolina District of the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, qualified for the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, and won the Maryland District of the 2026 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, from which he will move on to compete in the Middle Atlantic District in February, 2026. 

Cook has sung with opera companies like Virginia Opera, where he sang in the workshop chorus of Loving v. Virginia (Geter), Annapolis Opera where he performed as Giuseppe in La traviata, and Capitol Opera Richmond, where he performed as Nero in L’incoronazione di Poppea. Cook spent the past two summers as an Ader Emerging Artist with Charlottesville Opera where he covered the role of Frederic in Pirates of Penzance and performed the role of Jacey Squires in the Music Man.

Cook has also performed at several summer music festivals. He was featured as Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Winter Harbor Music Festival, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Aquilon Music Festival, Don Basilio and Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro and Torero in Ainadamar with Miami Music Festival, and St. Brioche in The Merry Widow with Opera NEO.

Cook has appeared as both a soloist and ensemble member with the Greater Philadelphia Choral Society, Mercersburg Area Community Chorus, University of Maryland Chorale and Chamber Singers, Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Rockbridge Choral Society, Oratorio Society of Virginia, Virginia Consort, University of Virginia’s University Singers, and Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, singing classic canon and contemporary works. 

Cook graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory in 2021, where he earned both a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts, and was awarded the Margot Bos Stambler Professional Development Award. During his time at Oberlin, Cook performed with the Oberlin Opera Theater, singing roles like Flute in Midsummer Night’s Dream, and L’amante in Amelia al ballo, and was a frequent soloist with the Oberlin College Choir.