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Chicago-based mezzo-soprano Lauryn Nelson is making a striking impression on the opera scene. She is praised for her rich timbre and commanding stage presence. She recently earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, following a Bachelor of Music from DePaul University.
Lauryn’s artistry has garnered numerous accolades, including Grand Prize at the Patricia Crump Competition, Second Place in the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition (Central Region), First Place in the 2024 Illinois District, and Encouragement Awards in both the Illinois and Minnesota Districts (2023). She also received the 2023 National Opera Association's Legacy Award and the Farwell Trust Award from the Musicians Club of Women Competition.
Lauryn recently completed her 2-year residency as the Mezzo Studio Artist with The Florentine Opera where she embraced a season filled with role debuts, notable cover roles and a diverse array of concert performances throughout the Milwaukee area.
"A promising sign of the festival’s recent growth: even bit parts were securely cast. Lauryn Nelson wielded a pure mezzo-soprano as Mrs. Nolan, a skeptic-turned-believer who comes to depend on Madame Flora’s séances."
Chicago Tribune / Hannah Edgar
Recent operatic highlights include Antonia’s Mother in Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, Mercedes in Bizet’s Carmen, Pipetto in Donizetti’s Viva la Mamma!, and the mother in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. She also appeared as Mrs. Nolan in Menotti’s The Medium and The Singer in Puccini’s Manon Lescaut with the Opera Festival of Chicago. While at The Florentine Opera, Lauryn covered many leading roles, including Nicklausse, Donna Elvira, Carmen, Kate Pinkerton, and Suzuki.
Other notable performances include The Medium in Christopher Cerrone’s In a Grove, Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina. Upcoming engagements include Tisbe in Rossini’s La Cenerentola with Opera San Antonio, a return to The Florentine Opera as Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, and participation in the Des Moines Metro Opera Apprentice Artist Program, where she will cover the Deaconess in Szymanowski’s King Roger.
Beyond the opera stage, Lauryn’s versatility has shone as the Alto Soloist in various concert works, including Vivaldi’s Gloria with the North Shore Choral Society, Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Music Institute of Chicago, and El Amor Brujo with the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra. Lauryn is also a featured singer with The Adrian Dunn Singers, a celebrated gospel ensemble currently touring the United States and Europe. Her repertoire spans a rich spectrum, from Verdi and Brahms to Massenet, Cilea, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Price, and Magogo, reflecting her dedication to championing a diverse range of composers and styles.
A passionate advocate for diversity in opera, Lauryn is committed to inclusion and bringing this art form to all communities. Her artistry, depth of interpretation, and unwavering dedication continue to distinguish her as a rising force in the operatic world and an artist to watch.