b"Guest ArtistSoprano LAQUITA MITCHELL consistently earns acclaim on international opera and concert stages worldwide. Of her dbut as Bess in Porgy and Bess with the San Francisco Opera, Opera News said Laquita Mitchell, in her first outing as Bess, dazzled the SFO [San Francisco Opera] audience with her purity of tone and vivid theatrical presence. PBS invited Ms. Mitchell to perform a solo recital including excerpts from Porgy and Bess with pianist Craig Terry in preparation for the broadcast and DVD release of SFOs Porgy and Bess. She has since reprised her Bess role with opera companies and orchestras nationwide and with Grange Park Opera in the UK and the Lithuanian State Symphony.Ms. Mitchell performed the soprano soloist in the world premire of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravecs Sanctuary Road at Carnegie Hall with Oratorio Society of New York which was nominated for a 2021 Grammy for Best Choral Performance. She recently performed the title role in Tom Cipullos Josephine with Opera Colorado, as well as The Promise of Living, a concert program conceived by Ms. Mitchell, a reprisal of Sanctuary Road with the Columbus Symphony, and performances with the Colorado and Augusta Symphonies.She appeared in New York Philharmonics Bandwagon concerts and the Kauffmann Music Centers Musical Storefront series in spring 2021, and performed with the Rhode Island Philharmonic. In summer 2021, she was featured on Classical Tahoe's 10th Anniversary Season as well as the Bard Music Festival.A native of New York City and recipient of numerous awards, including a 2004 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Grand Prize, a Sara Tucker Award, and First Prize Winner of the Wiener Kammer Opers Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition, Ms. Mitchell holds a Master of Music degree and a Professional Studies Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music, and completed undergraduate studies at Westminster Choir College.laquitamitchell.orgPhoto credit: Matthew Placekprincetonsymphony.org/ 9/ princetonfestival.org"