Maya Kherani

Indian-American soprano Maya Kherani has been lauded for her vibrant voice and exciting characterizations in repertoire from Baroque to modern.

Current and future engagements in Europe include a debut at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in 2020, as well as the modern-world première of French Baroque Caribbean Concerts Spirituels under the direction of Pedro Memelsdorff and Sophie Daneman Fondazione Giorgio Cini – Seminari di Musica Antica. She will also sing in the world première of Laura Kaminsky’s Today It Rains with Opera Parallèle and American Opera Projects, GILDA Rigoletto and PAMINA Die Zauberflöte Opera Modesto, ROSINA Il barbiere di Siviglia Cinnabar Theater and POLLY PEACHUM The Threepenny Opera West Edge Opera.

Most recently, Ms. Kherani made a role debut as Partenope (title role) Opera NEO, GRETEL Hansel and Gretel Boston Lyric Opera, TYTANIA A Midsummer Night’s Dream Boston University Opera Institute, MUSETTA La Bohème, FRASQUITA Carmen and BRITOMARTE in Martín y Soler’s L’arbore di Diana West Bay Opera, DESPINA Così fan tutte and LISETTE La Rondine Opera San Jose, as well as MARIE La fille du regiment, GILDA Rigoletto and Semele (title role) Pocket Opera.

Ms. Kherani has been engaged for many world premières in her young career, including her Houston Grand Opera debut as MEERA in the world première of Jack Perla’s River of Light, ALTSIDORE in Boismortier’s Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse Central City Opera, NURIA Golijov’s Ainadamar and Dante de Silva’s “graphic opera” Gesualdo, Prince of Madnesswith Opera Parallèle. MADAME WHITE SNAKE (cover) in the world première of Paola Prestini’s Gilgamesh Beth Morrison Projects, Neil Rolnick’s Anosmia released by Innova Records and JILL in the world première of Jack and Jill and the Happening Hill Salt Marsh Opera.

A passionate interpreter of early music, Ms. Kherani has been featured with the American Bach Soloists, the San Francisco Bach Choir, the Amherst Early Music Festival, Early Music Vancouver and the American Handel Society Festival.

Ms. Kherani’s numerous awards include two Encouragement Awards Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, 1st Place/Audience Favorite James Toland Vocal Competition, 2nd Place Peter Elvins Vocal Competition (Opera Division) and the top overall Barlow Award San Francisco Bay Area NATS competition, where she also won 1st Place in both the Professional Art Song and Aria categories. She was the recipient of the 2015 McGlone Award from Central City Opera.

Ms. Kherani holds a B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Music Performance from Princeton University, where she graduated summa cum laude and received the Isidore and Helen Sacks Award for excellence in Music Performance. She holds a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.