The Dutch mezzo soprano Mirjam Schreur studied solo singing and music drama at the Conservatory in Maastricht with Barbara Schlick. In 2000 she received her second phase diplomas. Afterwards, she continued her training at the famous mezzo-soprano Jard van Nes, who is still her coach now. She also attended master classes and special courses with Roberta Alexander, Rudolf Piernay, Maureen Lehane, Semyon Skigin and Jard van Nes / Ulrich Eisenlohr, Paul Esswood and Gerhard Darmstadt.
In April 2002 Mirjam Schreur obtained the 3rd prize at the international singing competition "Debüt in Meran" in Italy, after the jury rewarded her excellent performance in terms of both the opera, the song and oratorio. During the gala concert for the finalists, she made her television debut on the Italian Rai. Since then she sang opera singer the lead role of Orfeo in the opera 'Orfeo ed Euridice' by Gluck and the role of Marcellina in the opera 'Le Nozze di Figaro' by Mozart, performed in the city theater of Merano in Italy and conducted by Richard Sigmund and Thomas Koncz. In the Theater Bonbonniere in Maastricht she brought the role of Dido in the opera 'Dido and Aeneas' by Purcell. With Opera Zuid she sang the roles of Beggar-woman and Russian mother in the opera 'Death in Venice' by Britten, conducted by James Lockhart and Mike Ashman. In 2010 she performed roles including Gismonda, Sesto, Vitige in the Händel opera-project "Hope, Love, Betrayal and Revenge" with Concerto Barocco, conducted by Jonathan Talbott.
Her career as oratorio / concert singer developing steadily. With the philharmonie zuidnederland Mirjam performed the St. Matthew Passion conducted by Paul Goodwin and Matthew Halls, and at the American Cemetery in Margraten Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle conducted by Ed Spanjaard. With the Limburg Symphony Orchestra she take part in five seasons of St. Matthew Passions conducted by Ed Spanjaard, Paul Goodwin and Reinbert de Leeuw as well Missa Solemnis by Beethoven, conducted by Roberto Rizzi Brignoli and a series of Händel's Messiah conducted by Kynan Johns. Ed Spanjaard invited Mirjam to take part in his farewell concert of the LSO, in which she played the role of twin brother Marcellinus in Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien by Debussy in a semi-scenic interpretation with texts by Ramsey Nasr, director Kees van der Burg and choreography by Toer of Schaijk. In January 2011 she made her debut at the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels: as the soloist in Psalm 137 F. Liszt, performed by the professional chamber choir Studium Chorale, conducted by Hans Leenders and recorded by Radio Klara.
With the Dutch Bach Society conducted by Jos van Veldhoven she sang the premiere of Der Tod Jesu by C.E. Graaf during the Dutch Music Days and earlier a series "Music for Royal Houses" in which Bach cantatas were performed. In 2013 and in 2009 she was a guest at the 's Stabat Mater Foundation at Oirschot and performed the Stabat Mater by Pergolesi along with soprano Ilse Eerens and in 2009 the Stabat Mater by Brunetti in collaboration with the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend. There followed in 2009 performances at the Europa Cantat Festival in Utrecht for Misa Tango by M. Palmeri and Le Roi David by Honneger, conducted by Laurent Gendre. Also she was invited to the "Festival Barocco Leonardo Leo" in Brindisi (Italy). On the programme were altocantatas by J.S. Bach, accompanied by Concerto Barocco conducted by Jonathan Talbott. In December 2008 she made her debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in the Messiah by G.F. Händel with the Dutch Handel Society. In October 2007 she made as a soloist a tour through Germany and Luxembourg together with the Kreuzchor Dresden and the Dresdner Philharmonie conducted by Roderich Kreile. She performed in concert halls such as the Konzerthaus Freiburg, Liederhalle Stuttgart, Graf Zeppelin Halle Friedrichshafen, Düsseldorf Tonhalle and in the newly built Philharmonie Luxembourg. Earlier that year she sang a St. Matthew Passions series for the North Netherlands Orchestra conducted by Johannes Leertouwer.
She has built up a broad repertoire, covering all style periods (baroque, classical, romantic, 20th century and contemporary). In contemporary repertoire she sang the world premieres of Cantico Espiritual by Jo van den Booren during Musica Sacra and of Cantate Domino by Werner Jacob in Nürnberg. Both projects were done in cooperation with Studium Chorale directed by Hans Leenders. The first was recorded by the KRO, the second by the Bayerische Rundfunk.
Her voice keeps developing: next to her beloved baroque repertiore and the classics, Mahler has become a favorite. In 2011 she performed a series of the 2nd Symphony by G. Mahler together with the Kerkraads Symphonic Orchestra and ArKa Symphonic Orchestra of Maastricht, conducted by Manon Meijs. In 2012 she performed the “Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen” by G. Mahler conducted by Manon Meijs.
In 2009 she started her own company called "Zang & Concert Practijk Mirjam Schreur". This practice includes her work as a performer as her work as a teaching musician. As a teacher, she was invited to give a masterclass in baroque singing and interpretation in September 2009 at the Nino Rota Conservatory in Monopoli (southern Italy).
