Kayla Nanto is a dynamic and versatile mezzo-soprano based in Dallas, TX. This season, she joins Opera San José & Fort Worth Opera as “Suzuki” in Madama Butterfly and Abilene Philharmonic as the title role in Carmen.
Last season, Kayla joined Opera Montana as “Hansel” in Hansel & Gretel and Verdigris Ensemble as Isabelle Eberhardt in Missy Mazzoli’s Song from the Uproar. She also won First Place and the People’s Choice Award in The Dallas Opera’s Lonestar Competition. In the summer, Kayla returned to The Santa Fe Opera as an Apprentice Singer, where she appeared as “Countess Ceprano” in Rigoletto and covered “Siegrune” in Die Walküre.
The 2023-2034 season brought notable appearances, including the title role in Opera San José’s workshop of the new opera Zheng, “Hansel” in Hansel & Gretel with Opera in the Heights, and “Orlofsky” in Pensacola Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus. She was also an Apprentice Singer with The Santa Fe Opera, Singer where she covered the roles of “Deirdre” in The Righteous and “Third Noble Orphan” in Der Rosenkavalier.
In the 2022-2023 season, Kayla performed the title role in Carmen with Painted Sky Opera and joined Pensacola Opera as a Jan Miller Studio Artist, appearing as “Nettie Fowler” in Carousel. She also joined Teatro Nuovo as a Resident Artist, where she covered the role of “La comare” in Crispino e la comare.
Some of Kayla’s other engagements include “Flora” in La traviata with Fort Worth Opera, “Second Witch” in Dido and Aeneas and “Eustazio” in Rinaldo with American Baroque Opera Company, “Alto soloist” in Messiah with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and “Frida Kahlo/Mother” in the world-premiere of Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World with Fort Worth Opera.
Kayla holds degrees from University of North Texas (Master of Music) and University of Northern Colorado (Bachelor of Music) and is a two-time district winner of The Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition (Georgia District, 2022-23 & Colorado/Wyoming District, 2021-22).
