Cathleen Candia,
Mezzo-soprano

Mezzo-soprano Cathleen Candia makes her company debut as Rosette (Manon) and Tisbe (La Cenerentola) during the 2009 - 2010 season.

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Ms.Candia made her professional debut in 2007, singing the roles of Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana) and Grisette (Merry Widow) with West Bay Opera, and Third Lady (The Magic Flute) with the AIMS Festival Orchestra. Recently, Ms. Candia sang the role of Second Lady (The Magic Flute) with the Tuscia Operafestival in Italy. Other roles performed include Carmen, Dorabella, Cherubino, and Charlotte (Werther).  On the concert stage, she has appeared with the South Valley Symphony and at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. In December, Ms. Candia will be featured as the alto soloist in Handel's Messiah with South Valley Symphony.

Ms. Candia holds a BA in Art History/Archaeology and Spanish Literature from Willamette University in Oregon. She currently studies with Catherine Cook in San Francisco, California. Training programs include the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria and the International Lyrica Academy in Italy. Ms. Candia was a finalist in the 2007 Henry & Maria Holt Scholarship Competition, and was first runner-up in the 2008 Rio Hondo Symphony Young Artist Competition. Most recently, Ms. Candia was  named winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, San Francisco Division.