Soprano Symone Harcum is recognized for the warmth and clarity of her voice and for performances distinguished by vocal beauty and dramatic conviction. Her recent engagements include the title role in Verdi’s Aïda with Anchorage Opera, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Virginia Opera, and her house debut with Opera Philadelphia as Léontine in The Anonymous Lover. A former Company Artist with Minnesota Opera, she also appeared there as Almirena in Rinaldo, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Léontine in The Anonymous Lover, and Micaëla in Carmen. She made her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as Sandra in the world premiere of Will Liverman’s Factotum and has also performed La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro and Clorinda in La Cenerentola with Virginia Opera.
An equally committed recitalist, Harcum has appeared at the National Gallery of Art and in recital and concert performances at universities and cultural institutions throughout the United States. Her programming reflects a broad artistic perspective, encompassing the standard repertoire alongside works by American composers and underrepresented voices.
Before pursuing a full-time performing career, Harcum taught choral music in Norfolk Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Norfolk State University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied with Denyce Graves and Margaret Baroody. She currently serves on the voice faculty at Norfolk State University.