Cynthia Harris is a dynamic mezzo-soprano based in Salt Lake City, where she is completing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Utah. Known for her rich vocal color and expressive artistry, she has brought to life a wide range of roles including The Duchess in A.L.I.C.E. by Amy Scurria, Aphrodite in Protectress by Jessica Rudman and Kendra Preston Leonard, Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol by Michael Leavitt and Anthony Buck, and La Badessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica. This season, she made her debut with Lyrical Opera Theater as Dame Quickly in Verdi’s Falstaff and continues to blossom on the operatic stage. Cynthia also performs regularly with U Opera and the choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 

Cynthia’s love for the arts began in her hometown of Detroit, where she immersed herself in dance and musical theatre throughout her early years. These experiences became the foundation for her journey into opera. Later, in Atlanta—a city she also calls home—her formal classical training began under the tutelage of soprano Laura English-Robinson. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Spelman College in 2016, where her studies shaped her musical identity as both an artist and scholar. While working at the Grammy Award–winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as the Artist Liaison, she discovered her true calling for opera, inspired by encountering professional singers who looked and sounded like her. Guided by the legacies of Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman, Cynthia embraces a tradition of artistry rooted in resilience, excellence, and representation. 

In addition to operatic roles, Cynthia has premiered contemporary works in both Chicago and Atlanta, showcasing her versatility and commitment to championing new music. Her repertoire spans English art song, German Lieder, French chansons, operatic arias, and African American spirituals, reflecting her belief in the power of music to connect cultures, histories, and communities. 

For Cynthia, music is not only performance but also advocacy. She views the arts as essential to personal growth and community empowerment. She teaches voice privately, volunteers with children and high school students to introduce them to historically important music, while highlighting the many professional paths available within the arts beyond performance. Her dedication to service began in childhood through her church, where she and her family delivered meals to senior citizens each month. This early foundation of giving informs her artistic mission today. In December 2024, she became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she continues to deepen her commitment to service, sisterhood, and community uplift. Cynthia’s artistry is inseparable from her advocacy. She believes music is both a refuge and a force for change, capable of inspiring audiences across generations. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or within her community, Cynthia Harris carries forward the tradition of artists who use their gifts to illuminate, uplift, and transform.