Soprano Kaileigh Riess, hailed as “appealing and fresh voiced” (Chicago Tribune) and “the standout…an engaging singer and actor” (The Daily Camera), was seen most recently on the operatic stage as Anne Trulove (The Rake’s Progress) and Maria Bertram (Mansfield Park). In the 2021-22 season, Kaileigh was named a Boston District winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, a 3rd place winner of the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, a recipient of the Lys Symonette Award in the Lotte Lenya Competition, and the inaugural first place winner of the Wilkinson Young Singers Fund. Kaileigh completed her education at Northwestern University (BM Voice, BA English), the University of Southern California (MM Opera), and the Boston University Opera Institute (certificate), spending her summers as a fellow with Central City Opera, IVAI Tel Aviv, and Music Academy of the West. Favorite roles performed include La Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro), Blanche de la Force (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Morgana (Alcina), Laurie (The Tender Land), and Lola (Gallantry). Kaileigh has a passion for interpreting new music and worked closely with composer Timothy Peterson and poet Sara Fetherolf in the creation and world premiere of Harp My Bones, a song cycle for voice and piano. Currently, Kaileigh is working with Peterson on a new commission. This summer, Kaileigh appears as an apprentice artist at Des Moines Metro Opera, covering Caroline in the world premiere of A Thousand Acres, before beginning her tenure as an emerging artist with Virginia Opera, where she performs in The Pirates of Penzance (Isabel/Mabel cover), Fellow Travelers (Lucy/Mary Johnson cover), and La Traviata (Annina/Violetta cover and performance). Kaileigh is represented by Encompass Arts.