Nashville Opera's Mary Ragland Emerging Artist program, founded in 1996, is a cornerstone of the company's commitment to fostering the next generation of opera singers. Named after the company's founder, Metropolitan Opera singer Mary Ragland, the program features five up-and-coming artists each season.
Each year, the Emerging Artists perform comprimario and lead roles in the Nashville Opera mainstage season, along with leading the annual spring Nashville Opera ON TOUR program across Middle TN. You’ll also see these artists perform at La Bella Notte as featured musical guests. Each artist receives weekly coaching sessions while in residency, along with getting to work with talented colleagues across the field in masterclasses and workshops.
This highly competitive program is open to applications in the fall of each year, and holds invited auditions each December. For more information, email
Meet the 2025 Emerging Artists
Yeonjae Cho
Soprano
Katherine Kincaid
Mezzo-Soprano
Zachary Taylor
Tenor
Keaton Brown
Baritone
Frances Ho
Accompanist
