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 as an apprentice artist at Des Moines Metro Opera, covering the role of Caroline in the world premiere of A Thousand Acres and performing in scenes from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and Aucoin’s Eurydice.
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, Music Academy of the West, and Des Moines Metro Opera. Favorite roles performed include Anne Truelove (The Rake’s Progress), Maria Bertram (Mansfield Park), 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 and is currently working with Peterson on a new commission based on a short story by her late grandmother, Tamar. She was also recently featured in Potomac Theatre Project’s presentation of A Small Handful by composer Gilda Lyons, and had the chance to work with the composer on the piece. Kaileigh also has a vast background in singing jazz, pop, folk, and musical theatre.
In the 2022-2023 season with Virginia Opera, 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.