Caroline Friend (Mezzo-Soprano) is a 2nd year Master’s student of the Cleveland Institute of Music studying under Dina Kuznetsova. After receiving her Bachelor's of Music and Minor in Music Theory at the same institute, Friend continues to perform in CIM Opera Theatre's mainstage operas, opera scene programs, and collaborative recitals. Her admiration for opera has led her to an independent study of Stage Direction under JJ Hudson at CIM. Her stage roles include "Mercedes" (Carmen) “Zerlina” (Don Giovanni), “Presendia” (Dark Sisters), “Orlofsky” (Die Fledermaus), “Mère Marie” (Dialogues des Carmélites), “Dorothée” (Cendrillon), and “The Spirit” (Dido and Aeneas). Friend performed the role of "Cherubino" (Le Nozze di Figaro) in the La Musica Lirica Festival and at the Estates Theatre in Prague Summer Nights Young Artist Festival. She also performed in the 65th Annual Sewanee Summer Music Festival & Operafest in 2022. In addition to her stage credits, Caroline won 1st Prize of the 2024 American International Music Competition in Group I for Voice, as well as 2nd Prize for the 2023 ACPC Marcella Kochańska Sembrich Vocal Competition. Friend collaborated in masterclasses under Kirill Kuzman, Julius Drake, and Annemarie Kremer. She is also a Schola member at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Cleveland, Ohio, which exclusively sings Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony.