Kayla Nanto is a dynamic and versatile mezzo-soprano based in Dallas, TX. This spring, Kayla performed the roles of “Hansel” in Hansel & Gretel with Opera Montana and "Isabelle Eberhardt" in Song from the Uproar with Verdigris Ensemble. She also recently competed as a finalist in The Dallas Opera's Lonestar Vocal Competition, where she won First Place and The Jonathan Pell People's Choice Award. This summer, Kayla returns to The Santa Fe Opera as an Apprentice Singer, where she will sing the role of “Countess Ceprano” in Rigoletto and cover “Siegrune” in Die Walküre. Next season's engagements include "Suzuki" in Madama Butterfly with Opera San José and Fort Worth Opera and the title role in Carmen with Abilene Philharmonic.
The 2023-2024 season brought notable performances, including the title role in the workshop of the new opera Zheng with Opera San José, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with Opera in the Heights, and Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with Pensacola Opera. She also joined The Santa Fe Opera as an Apprentice Singer, where she covered the roles of Deirdre in The Righteous and Third Noble Orphan in Der Rosenkavalier.
In the 2022-2023 season, Kayla joined Pensacola Opera as a Jan Miller Studio Artist where she appeared as Nettie Fowler in Carousel. During the summer, she joined Teatro Nuovo as a Resident Artist, where she covered the role of La comare in Crispino e la comare. She was also a winner of the Georgia District of The Metropolitan Opera's Laffont Competition.
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During the 2021-2022 season, Kayla was a winner in the Colorado/Wyoming District of The Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition. She sang the title role in Carmen with Painted Sky Opera and was a Studio Artist with Fort Worth Opera, with whom she made her mainstage debut as “Flora” in La traviata. In addition, she was engaged as a Performing Artist with The Dallas Opera’s Education and Outreach program.
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​Some of Kayla’s other professional engagements include "Second Witch" in Dido and Aeneas and “Eustazio” in Rinaldo with American Baroque Opera Company, “Alto Soloist” in Messiah with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, “Frida Kahlo/Mother” in the world-premiere of Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World with Fort Worth Opera, “Alto Soloist” in Petite Messe Solenelle with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, "Suzuki" (cover) in Madama Butterfly with Opera Fort Collins, “Ulisse” in Achille in Sciro with Orchestra of New Spain, and “Edith” in Pirates of Penzance with Loveland Opera Theatre.​
Kayla holds degrees from University of North Texas (Master of Music) and University of Northern Colorado (Bachelor of Music). During her time at University of North Texas, she performed the roles of “Siébel” in Faust, “Petra” in A Little Night Music, and “Flora” in La traviata. While at University of Northern Colorado, she performed the roles of “Angelina” in La Cenerentola and the title role in Carmen.