Imani Sarai Francis, soprano, is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music and went on to receive both her Master of Music (2022) and Doctor of Musical Arts (2025) degrees in Vocal Performance from Louisiana State University, where she also pursued a minor in Vocal Pedagogy under the mentorship of Dr. Loraine Sims.

Imani’s operatic roles include La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), Pamina and the First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Clara and Strawberry Woman (Porgy and Bess with New Orleans Opera), and Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), which she debuted in Salzburg, Austria. Most recently, she appeared as Musetta in La Bohème with Nicholls State University and premiered the role of Rosalinde in LSU’s production of Die Fledermaus.

A recipient of numerous accolades, Imani was named a District Winner and Audience Choice Award recipient at the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. She also earned second place in the Lower Advanced Treble category and first place in the Upper American Negro Spiritual category at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) State Competition, where she received the prestigious Governor’s Award in 2022.

Imani is passionate about expanding the operatic canon and championing works that celebrate the Black experience. She continues to build a career dedicated to vocal excellence, artistic versatility, and meaningful storytelling through music.